Valparaiso Crusaders at Detroit Titans
Thursday, 1/17/12, 7:00 PM EST, TV: ESPNU
Opening Point Spread: Detroit -4
Current Betting Line: Detroit -3.5
Opening Total: 142.5
Current Total: 144.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker
Valparaiso has won six of its last seven games, including a 76-52 victory over Wisconsin-Milwaukee as 11-point road favorites last time out, while going OVER the posted total for a second consecutive contest. The Crusaders own an 11-8 all-time series lead over the Titans, including a 9-4 mark since joining the Horizon League. The team will be trying to exact revenge from last year’s 70-50 setback in the conference championship game as two-point favorites. Valparaiso is 6-1 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points over the last two-plus seasons, something to consider when making your college basketball picks against the spread Thursday night.
The Crusaders received 40 of the 44 first-place votes to win the league in a preseason poll, as they look to improve upon their 5-4 mark away from home. Valparaiso hasn’t finished .500 or better in road games since the 2001-02 campaign. It’s also important to note that the program has failed to win four straight true road games since 2003. The squad has won the battle on the glass in eight of its last nine games.
Detroit had its five-game win streak snapped in a 72-64 setback to the Cleveland State Vikings as eight-point road favorites last time out, while going UNDER the posted total of 147. The Titans have all five probable starters averaging in double figures, with guard Ray McCallum leading the way, scoring 19.1 points per game. He scored a game-high 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field last time out. Detroit is 4-4 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points since 2010, with the OVER going 5-2 in that situation.
The Titans have won 17 straight games at Calihan Hall, including all nine during the 2012-13 campaign. Detroit is averaging 77.8 points per game over that stretch, while allowing opponents to score 65.2. Detroit has compiled a perfect 8-0 record when scoring 80 or more points this season, while winning 22 consecutive contests when hitting that mark overall.
Sports bettors will likely play the total in this affair, as the OVER is 7-2 in the last nine meetings.
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