Injuries in college basketball have been far less than in the NBA this year, but there are a number to keep an eye on as we head into Thursday night’s action.
North Carolina shooting guard Dexter Strickland tore his ACL last game at Virginia Tech and is out for the season. There is more on his injury below, plus Florida’s Patric Young, but college basketball bettors should also take note of other key Thursday news:
Washington’s C.J. Wilcox (15.5 PPG) is doubtful at Arizona State, while Arizona State’s Trent Lockett (13.9 PPG) is questionable.
James Madison’s Devon Moore (9.7 PPG) is questionable vs. William & Mary. Rider’s Jeff Jones (12.8 PPG) probable vs. St. Peter’s and Santa Clara’s Kevin Foster (17.8 PPG) is expected out vs. San Francisco.
NC State Wolfpack at No. 8 North Carolina Tar Heels
7:00 p.m. (ET) on ESPN
The Tar Heels’ (16-3 straight up, 10-8 ATS) Strickland is not a big scorer at 7.5 PPG, but he also played backup point guard when Kendall Marshall needed a rest. Marshall is already averaging over 31 minutes and will now be subbed by freshman Stilman White. They’re also not as deep with Reggie Bullock likely to start.
North Carolina won 82-68 at Virginia Tech last Thursday after its embarrassing 90-57 loss at Florida State. The long term prognosis for this squad is very good with the frontcourt of Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller and John Henson combining for over 46 PPG and 24 RPG. However, there will be an adjustment period without Strickland.
The Wolfpack (15-5 SU, 8-8 ATS) haven’t beaten their in-state rival since February 2007 (10 tries). They’re also 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings and 1-7 ATS in the last eight. Despite all that, this could be the wrong year to count them out.
NC State has all five starters averaging between 11.9-13.3 PPG. There is not a ton of depth, but DeShawn Painter has been a valuable bench piece, especially on the boards (5.3 RPG). The team’s rebounding margin is +6.8 per game, third in the ACC with North Carolina leading (+11.5).
The ‘over’ is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Chapel Hill and 11-4 in the last 15 overall.
No. 13 Florida Gators at Ole Miss Rebels
7:00 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2
Florida (15-4 SU, 7-6-1 ATS) center Patric Young is expected to return to the starting lineup. He came off the bench the last two due to a lingering ankle injury. The Gators have won their last three overall, including a 79-65 win and cover at South Carolina. That was important after dropping their first four true road games (2-2 ATS).
Coach Billy Donovan has a guard oriented attack that averaged 85.4 PPG during the non-conference schedule (‘over’ 9-1 in games with totals). Scoring in SEC play has dropped to 70.3 PPG, with the ‘over’ 2-2.
The Rebels (13-6 SU, 8-8-1 ATS) are tied for fourth in the SEC at 3-2 SU. They lost leading scorer Dundrecous Nelson (11.6 PPG) right before conference play, but haven’t missed him too much. This is the second-leading rebounding team in the SEC (+4.4 margin) and that’s why the big man Young is so important for Florida on Thursday.
Ole Miss is a perfect 8-0 SU at Tad Smith Coliseum (3-2-1 ATS). That includes wins and covers over Arkansas (71-63 as 2-point favorites) and Mississippi State (75-68 as 2-point underdogs) the last two. The team is scoring just 66.5 PPG on the year.
Florida is 4-0 ATS (3-1 SU) in the last four visits to Ole Miss.
No. 17 Indiana Hoosiers at No. 25 Wisconsin Badgers
9:00 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2
Indiana (16-4 SU, 9-6 ATS) was one of the early surprise stories in college basketball with a perfect 12-0 SU (7-0 ATS) mark in non-conference play, including a signature 73-72 home upset over top-ranked Kentucky.
The Hoosiers have found the Big Ten sledding much tougher (4-4 SU, 2-6 ATS). They just snapped a 3-game losing streak against Penn State (73-54 home win) on Sunday with the visitors mourning the loss of Joe Paterno. Penn State was also their only conference road win, going 0-3 SU and ATS at Michigan State (80-65), Ohio State (80-63) and Nebraska (70-69).
Wisconsin (16-5 SU, 12-6 ATS) lost 3-straight conference games beginning December 31, two of those surprisingly at home, but has rebounded to win its last four (3-1 ATS). This is not a very good offensive bunch at 65.6 PPG, 10th in the Big Ten. Guard Jordan Taylor (14.1 PPG) is the leader, but he’s struggled shooting (39.6 percent).
The Badgers are known for their defense (49.6 PPG, first nationally). However, Indiana is the top scoring team in the Big Ten at 79.8 PPG, with five guys in double digits. The ‘over’ is 6-1-1 in Indiana’s conference games despite scoring a lower 72.4 PPG.
Wisconsin has won 8-straight games (7-1 ATS) over Indiana, 4-0 SU (3-1 ATS) at home.