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I tweet it weekly, but I’ll make one thing clear before we get started on Tuesday night’s Crash the Board. I hate college kids. Hate them. All they do is go out there, whether it’s on the basketball court or football field and cost me money. Therefore, I hate them all.
On Monday night, we had everything in our favor with Illinois set to cover the 13 points against an awful Nebraska team. With the Illini up 12 and second remaining, their best player Ayo Dosunmu stepped to the free throw line with one goal in mind, and it was to piss me right off and leave me poor in the streets. Despite being a 78% free throw shooter, he decided to miss both of them to cost me money.
I hate college kids. Maybe one day I’ll learn to love them, and it could turn out to be tonight as we dive into another wild night of college basketball betting.
#7 Duke @ Wake Forest
DUKE -11
O/U 152.5
6:00 CST, ACCN
Betting against Duke is a fun thing to do, and it’s been profitable recently as the Blue Devils are 2-4 against the spread in its last 6 games. Meanwhile, Wake Forest is on a 7-3 run. Demon Deacons are terrible and might be looking for a head coach after the season, while Duke mess around and win themselves a national championship.
With a win, Duke will jump right back into a tie for the top spot in the ACC, and they crushed Wake by 31 in January. Everything points toward a Duke blowout, but bet against the home team as double digit dogs at your own risk.
#18 Iowa @ #24 Michigan State
MSU -8.5
O/U 151.5
6:00 CST, ESPN2
Dayyum, this is a high spread. Michigan State and Iowa find themselves among the five-way tie for second place in the Big Ten, and Vegas is expecting the Spartans to win fairly easily. This is a Michigan State team that is 2-4 straight up in its last 6 games with one of the wins coming against Nebraska, so that should hardly count. Iowa is 4-2 against the spread in its last 6.
It is true Tom Izzo absolutely owns the soul of Fran McCaffery and continues to dominate him in front of his own son. Still, an 8.5-point spread is much to high for a contending Big Ten team with or without CJ Fredrick, who will be a game-time decision for the Hawkeyes.
#8 Kentucky @ Texas A&M
UK -6
O/U 129
6:00 CST, ESPN
It is February 25, and Texas A&M is playing only its second ranked team this season. The last one was a 30-point loss at home to Gonzaga in November. The college sports gods evened things out because if you watched the pigskin this fall, the Aggies played the most difficult schedule imaginable. This is one final chance for Texas A&M to create a fantastic memory in the 2020-21 regular season and when that happens, it’s hard to take the road team even if they’re far superior in talent.
Having said that, Kentucky is 5-1 against the spread in its last 6 and 6-2 against the number in 8 road games this season. Lots of items going each way, so I’ll let you make the decision. Make good choices.
Kansas State @ #2 Baylor
BU -14
O/U 125
7:00 CST, ESPN+
Baylor is coming off a tough loss to Kansas to lose the top spot in the Big 12 and the entire country. Bears could fight back into a share for the conference lead with a win against Kansas State, which stinks and cannot cover. Wildcats are riding a 7-game losing streak and are 1-4 against the spread in their last 5.
Feeling underwhelmed with that short breakdown? Maybe we’ll add more to it a little later…
Colorado State @ #5 San Diego State
SDSU -13.5
O/U 139
10:00 CST, CBSSN
Love. Love. Love. Love San Diego State in this spot. Aztecs are coming off their first loss of the season against UNLV, and you’re gonna want to say your prayers for Colorado State because they do not deserve the beatdown they’re about to receive late Tuesday night. San Diego State has to be bummed out they missed out a chance to finish out the regular season undefeated, and they’re taking it out on Colorado State.
Tuesday Payday
Sure Monday night did not go our way, but are we just going to cry about it and quit betting altogether? Well yes I might cry, but no I will not quit. That’s not how a gambling addiction works. I eyed up this line right after its big loss over the weekend, and it’s even sweeter than I thought it would be. We are going to invest in Baylor -14 vs. Kansas State.
Wildcats lost 7 in a row. They’re playing on the road against what might be the best team in college basketball. Looking ahead, they have Kansas up next. That’s the game they’re eyeing up if they haven’t given up on the season already. Big-time win for Baylor. They’ll be up 15 at the half.
I hate all college kids, but if Baylor gets it done I will reconsider at least for one night.
Keep the conversation going by reaching out to Erik Buchinger on Twitter or email erik@deceptivespeed.com.