ACC Basketball Betting Preview: ACC/Big Ten Challenge Part 2

Despite nailing Iowa over Syracuse and Louisville over Michigan, I laid an egg with the remaining six games. Mental note. Don’t ever bet on Rutgers. Another night of ACC/Big Ten Challenge to help make things right. Let’s roll.

Virginia Cavaliers @ Purdue Boilermakers
KP: Virginia +2, O/U 98
Vegas: Virginia +2, O/U 103.5

For the first time in my life, I may have had a 1-800-Gambler moment. Last night, I found myself searching all over the internet in anticipation of Vegas releasing the total for this game. I waited with baited breath in hopes the total would be under 100. Alas though, it was not meant to be. The line opened at 101.5 and is up to 103.5. Further evidence that I may have a problem, I can’t wait to bet the under.

Pick: Under 103.5

Nebraska Cornhuskers @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
KP: Georgia Tech -10, O/U 140
Vegas: -8.5, O/U 139.5

Back in September, Georgia Tech football was a favorite against South Florida. My opinion then, and my opinion now is that Georgia Tech (football or basketball) shouldn’t be laying this many points against a team with a pulse. Nebraska is a far cry from the team they had last year (they were killed by injuries, otherwise that was a tournament team that could have done some damage) and they did lose by 19 at home to KP 221 UC Riverside, but I still like them to keep things under double digits against the Yellow Jackets

Pick: Nebraska +8.5

Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ Maryland Terrapins
KP: Notre Dame +10, O/U 144
Vegas: Notre Dame +9.5, O/U 144

It wasn’t a great day for me yesterday on the betting front, but I was extremely confident that Michigan was a tad over rated and that gave us really good value on Louisville. And the Wolverines didn’t disappoint. Now enter Maryland who, despite a route of Marqeutte on Sunday, I don’t think should be as ranked as highly as they are. Plus there’s going to be a point in the season when we remember that Mark Turgeon still coaches this team. Notre Dame hung with UNC in the opener until Cole Anthony went bananas and even though they haven’t played anyone, haven’t lost since.

Pick: Notre Dame +9.5

Wake Forest Demon Deacons @ Penn State Nittany Lions
KP: Wake Forest +10, O/U 139
Vegas: Wake Forest +12, O/U 145

Penn State is 25 in Ken Pom. Read that again, Penn State is 25 in Ken Pom. Guess what. That’s not a fluke. Penn State is actually really good. Just ask their Big Ten foes who had to play them last February and March (the Nittany Lions went 7-3 in their last ten). And despite running with Arizona over the weekend, Wake Forest is closer to the team that lost to BC by seven on the road than the team that hung with Arizona. Penn State shouldn’t have any trouble covering this game.

Pick: Penn State -12

Wisconsin Badgers @ North Carolina State Wolfpack
KP: N.C. State -4, O/U 130
Vegas: N.C. State -5.5, O/U 132.5

I’m a little worried that the Wolfpack weren’t able to take care of James Wiseman-less Memphis, but Wisconsin is a shell of the program that we’ve come to count on in the last decade. N.C. State will have Markell Johnson, a guy they didn’t have in their loss to open the season. So far in the season, the Badgers haven’t been the same without Ethan Happ. On the road in a tough place to play isn’t a good recipe for Wisconsin to right the ship.

Pick: N.C. State -5.5

Ohio State Buckeyes @ North Carolina Tar Heels
KP: North Carolina -1; O/U 135
Vegas: North Carolina -3.5 , O/U 140

This game is easy for me as I was high on the Buckeyes coming into the year and low on the Tar Heels. Getting 3.5 is nice, but I think Ohio State can come away with the outright win. Kaleb Wesson is a beast and the Buckeyes should be able to slow down the pace enough to frustrate the Tar Heels. Cole Anthony will get his, but as we’ll play out as the season goes along, he’s going to need some help and I don’t think he gets it tonight.

Pick: Ohio State +3.5

Season Total: ATS (4-7), O/U (0-3), Total (4-10)