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Looking to bounce back here at NBC Sports Edge from an 0-2 start coming out of Saturday’s matchups (EKU/Wisconsin Milwaukee 1H U72.5, Texas +7.5). Here are my two best bets for Tuesday to get back on track early in this college basketball season.
James Madison @ Eastern Kentucky (-3.5, O/U 157)
Back to the Eastern Kentucky program here for me this week as they’re at home looking to continue their early-season success coming off a win on the road versus Wisconsin Milwaukee. James Madison is a decent team out of the Colonial Athletic Association that saw some success last year capturing a share of the CAA title. However, I can’t back a team that’s shooting the ball so poorly (39.8 effective field goal percentage). This number seems off to me in this game, especially with Eastern Kentucky at home. EKU can score the ball effectively in multiple ways and is looking to continuously push the tempo offensively. Defensively, the Colonels are not going to let you get a ton of free points from the free-throw line, are solid fundamentally and force turnovers. I expect James Madison to have a tough time scoring and keeping pace with EKU. I’m on EKU -3.5 (-109).
Winthrop (-6, O/U 139.5) @ Middle Tennessee St
An exciting matchup here between Winthrop and Middle Tennessee State should be one of the better matchups on Tuesday’s card. Winthrop is always one of the best shooting teams in the nation (13th in effective field goal percentage) and has a veteran group this year that should contend for the number one spot in the Big South Conference. The Eagles also like to push the pace offensively, currently 15th in pace of play. However, defense is not Winthrop’s strong suit and with its current roster build. They lack size/length outside of D.J. Burns Jr., which makes Middle Tennessee State a tough team to matchup with across the board.
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The Blue Raiders also return some experience for the 2022 season and are anchored by their senior guard Josh Jefferson (14.1 ppg). While Middle Tennessee State doesn’t boast tremendous shooting numbers, but they’re still averaging 84.5 points per game so far this season. Their strength resides in their defense by turning opponents over (top 10 in defensive turnover percentage) and limiting second-chance points. This matchup also showcases a polar opposite pace of play between these two teams, with Winthrop looking to get out and run and Middle Tennessee State looking to pound the rock and grind out the clock.
I expect this game to be neck and neck the entire way with Winthrop forcing the pace of the game in their favor. I’m on the Over 139.5 (-110).
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