Florida has opened 9-1 to the ’over’ thanks to an offense scoring over 85 points per game.
Just as there's more than one way to skin a cat, there is more than one way to cash college basketball betting slips. Midway through the ninth week of the season, the Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos and Alabama-Birmingham Blazers top the charts for bettors that enjoy playing the totals.
Missouri-KC is struggling in Summit League action so far with a 1-4 conference record and just 7-10 on the season overall (5-4 against the spread). But the Kangaroos remain perfect in totals wagering after running their mark to 8-0 'over' in Tuesday's 83-74 overtime loss at the IUPUI Jaguars. The 'Roos are averaging less than 68 points per game, around 200th in the nation, but their leaky defense is helping push the number over the mark by allowing nearly 73 per contest (286th in the country).
Another team helping 'over' bettors see green is Florida, with the Gators 9-1 to the high side of the NCAA scoreboard tally thanks almost entirely to their offense. Billy Donovan's squad ranks fifth in the land averaging over 85 per game, a number that bears watching as SEC play continues. The next four teams on Florida's schedule – Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina and LSU – are a combined 22-14 to the 'under.'
Down in the ACC, the Miami Hurricanes are 9-4 overall but having problems beating spreads with a 4-6-1 mark in that column. Jumping the NCAA odds on totals has been no problem for Miami, however, with the 'Canes 8-2 to the 'over' and riding a 5-game streak above the number.
The Denver Pioneers (11-3 SU) have been a good spread bet with an 8-4 ATS record, but an even better wager on the 'over.' Nine of Denver's 11 games to have a total have bounced above the mark, but the next three conference games are against teams that have been finishing under the tally (Arkansas State 8-3 'under,' South Alabama 6-2 and Western Kentucky 8-6).
A few more squads going 'over' with consistency are Montana State (7-1), Charlotte (6-1), Davidson (8-2), Rider (8-2) and North Carolina-Wilmington (8-2).
UAB Blazers Lead 'Under' Parade
The game will be long forgotten when invites to the Big Dance are passed out in March, but don't think bettors weren't paying attention to Wednesday night's contest in Gainesville between Florida and UAB. It was a classic case of the unstoppable force meeting the immoveable object, and oddsmakers did a pretty good job across the board setting the numbers.
We just mentioned the Gators as a good 'over' wager to date, and their 79-61 triumph against the Blazers did ease past the 133½-point total to leave Florida 9-1 'over.' The Gators also just managed to cover the 17½-point spread vs. UAB.
That 'over' was the first for the Blazers this season after opening the campaign with 10 consecutive 'unders.' It's been a tough go for Mike Davis and his squad who will next enter Conference USA action with a 5-8 record, worst in the C-USA overall ranks. But they simply ran into a buzz saw in the Gators who popped in 15 from beyond the arc to just get the cover and the 'over.'
Davis and the Blazers won't be seeing anyone in C-USA play with the offensive capability that Florida has. Now we'll see if oddsmakers start finding the right total for a Blazers team that has repeatedly been involved in some of the lowest-scoring games the entire schedule. They are a classic 'under' team, 319th among 344 teams on the offensive end (59.6 PPG) while holding foes to just 61.9 PPG, tied for 68th.
The rest of C-USA combines for a 41-44 'over/under' record. The Blazers will meet one of the better 'over' squads of the group this Sunday when they host Memphis (7-3 'over').
Another Saturday collision between opposing forces takes place in Charlottesville where Virginia and Miami tip their ACC slates. Tony Bennett has the Cavaliers (13-1 SU, 7-2 ATS) off to a great start and on an 11-game win streak heading into this matchup, and they're getting it done on the defensive end. Virginia is allowing 50.4 PPG, second-fewest only to Wisconsin, and that has translated into an 8-1 'under' record for bettors. Something will have to give there against a Miami crew that is a friend to 'over' players.
Mimicking their gridiron gang, LSU's basketball bunch also relies on a tough defense. The Tigers rank in the top 50 nationally allowing just over 60 points a game, and with an offense around the middle of the country (67.9 PPG), LSU games are 9-2 'under' to date. We'll have to wait a while to see how Trent Johnson's defensive-minded Tigers fare against the high-scoring Florida Gators, with those squads meeting Jan. 21 in Gainesville.
Four more 'under' winners to keep an eye on are UC-Davis (9-2 to the low side), Gonzaga (8-2), Northern Illinois (7-1) and Central Florida (7-1).