College basketball doubleheader on the duece

The All-City Classic used to be one of premier holiday tournaments in the country, but as the college basketball landscape changed, so did this event. Now it is primarily a local draw instead of diverse field, yet quality basketball is still available in Oklahoma City. Both games can be seen on ESPN2 starting at 6:30 Eastern, with a distinct Oklahoma flair, providing a pair of wagering opportunities.

UTEP vs Oklahoma 6:30E ESPN2

Texas El-Paso (6-2, 2-2 ATS) is one of the out-of-state participants for this event and is off to their finest start in nine seasons. With Memphis no longer a shoo-in to win Conference USA, the Miners are among four teams that could mine a league crown. UTEP’s leading scorer is Randy Culpepper, who is a proven point producer and is complimented by forward Arnett Moultrie and guard Julyan Stone. The roster is further enhanced by D-1 transfers Christian Polk and former Louisville bad boy Derrick Caracter. The Miners are 17-8 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record.

The post-Blake Griffin era got off a taxing start with three straight late November losses, however since that time, Oklahoma has gotten both feet leveled. The Sooners (8-3, 4-5 ATS) lack dominant defensive player in the lane and were taken apart for over 89 points a game in those defeats. Since then, the players have rededicated themselves to shuffling the feet and keeping opponent in front of them and they have surrendered 73 or fewer points in all but one game in amassing six straight wins. The Sooners last two contests have gone over the total and they are 12-26 ATS when that occurs the last dozen years.

DiamondSportsbook.com has Oklahoma as a three-point pick with total of 147.5.

LaSalle vs Oklahoma State 8:45E ESPN2

LaSalle has 7-3 record and has played to about everyone’s expectations, which is part of their problem in the bigger picture. Losses to South Carolina, Villanova and Kansas were expected, however aspirations of getting into the field of 65 for the NCAA Tournament means you have to pull a few surprises. The Explorers (2-4 ATS) failed to come closer than 10 points in any of those defeats and did not cover the spread in any of those contests. This would be the perfect opportunity to step up and upset a known Cowboys club before a national cable audience. Led by NBA prospect Rodney Green and freshman big man Aarric Murray, La Salle is inauspicious 0-6 ATS versus teams outscoring their opponents by eight or points a game over the last two seasons.

Oklahoma State (9-1, 3-1-1 ATS) won a clutch game at Stanford 71-70 as two-point road underdogs last Wednesday and they will look to build on that momentum. Senior guard Obi Muonelo snapped out of an ugly funk, scoring 18 of his 20 points in the second half and the Cowboys needed every one of them after building a 15-point lead against the Cardinal. Oklahoma State is undersized and needs have James Anderson deliver each time out and freshman point guard Ray Penn is gaining notoriety. The Cowboys are nine-point favorite and are 13-3 ATS in that role over the last two seasons.

Taking Home the Money College Basketball Totals

For many sports bettors, college basketball totals take on Forrest Gump-ish quality, as they are like a box of chocolates, but after studying all the sides most days, it’s hard to choose which games to play. Many sports bettors are more comfortable staying within the realm of what they know, which seldom includes college basketball totals.

Oddsmakers also are not as comfortable putting out totals on these games, as you will notice they usually arrive mid-morning on the day of the games, after releasing the side action in the late afternoon the day before. There is a good reason for this; “sharps” know the best value in college basketball wagering is on totals, because that is where the most potential errors can occur, especially on deep, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday cards. Those setting the numbers want to limit their exposure to these players, reducing the time they can cherry pick miscues, thus protecting themselves as best they.

How can somebody be successful betting college totals, you have to be ready to stay away from the glimmer of the big conferences, focus your attention on the smaller leagues, where these types of teams are more likely to pop up and oddsmakers pay lesser attention to, since they are wagered on accordingly. Here is a look at some of the very best teams every college basketball bettor should be looking at. (The focus will be on teams that have played more than half the games with a posted total)

For those who prefer to play Over the total, Ohio U (8-6, 6-5 ATS) is about as good as you could want with 7-2-1 mark. It’s a fairly remarkable team without much size or a bench, playing primarily in a league not known for scoring, yet is climbing over the total. Most of their winning numbers have come out of MAC play, thus it is worth watching to notice if the Bobcats can keep on delivering in conference action.

The Manhattan Jaspers (9-7, 5-5 ATS) out of the MAAC are 7-2 OVER, after winning just 12 games last season. It appears oddsmakers have been slow to adjust, since Manhattan has been the talk of the conference as an immensely improved team. What impresses people is how hard they play and even in defeat, they keep playing the whole 40 minutes, giving total players a chance. Off a loss the Jaspers are 4-1 Over.

LaSalle (8-6, 4-4-1 ATS) is part of the “Big 5” universities in Philadelphia area and has been a moneymaker for those watching totals with 7-2 mark, favoring the higher numbers. The Explorers defense is run of the mill, allowing 69.2 points per game on 42.4 percent. Offensively they do a good job, in scoring 72.5 points per game and averaging better than 10 offensive rebounds a contest, which helps push them Over the total. Like Manhattan, LaSalle has been a solid play off a loss at 4-0 Over, scoring 77 PPG.

One team that is no stranger to total players is Long Beach State. The 49ers (9-7, 10-6 ATS) have changed coaches from their 90+ point days, yet are still leaping over numbers 75 percent of the time with a 9-3 Over mark. L.B. State still moves the ball up and down the floor in averaging 72. 4 points an outing, but where they really are a good play is the utter of lack defense they don’t play, particularly on the road where they give up 75.8 PPG. When the 49ers travel to a team that has even a semblance of offense, the Over has to be the play.

On the other end of the spectrum is the dark side, where supposedly only those in the know play totals on the Under. Handicappers and linemakers have been selling us for years about “squares” only being on the Over and while some validity still holds true to that belief, the marketplace is far more knowledgeable, with greater access to information, making that point less trustworthy then in the past.

Any basketball bettor knows Utah State (15-1, 7-4 ATS) is a perennial player in the WAC title chase and makes frequent visits to the Top 25. The Aggies play stingy defense (59.6 PPG) and take their time on offense under coach Stew Morrill, always looking for a high percentage shot. Utah State’s effective controlled style, bothers opposing teams and the Aggies at 9-2 UNDER is not a shocker for interested bettors.

San Diego is know for its beautiful year round climate, seldom too hot or too cold and this basketball season is known for having two schools that favor one side of the totals action. San Diego State returned five starters and the results have been even better than expected with 12-3 mark (8-4 ATS). This veteran Aztec club does not have a player taller than 6’8, nonetheless, they can bang in the paint with taller opponents and play solid help-position defense that forces teams to connect from the perimeter. Opposing squads are only at 40.9 percent against coach Steve Fisher’s team, scoring 55.7 PPG. The Aztecs are a cash-machine 8-2 UNDER.

Not far away is the San Diego University campus and the Toreros are right in the same area as their counterparts at 11-3 UNDER. San Diego (10-7, 8-6 ATS) was believed to be a contender in the West Coast Conference, but they lost three key components in all-conference guard Brandon Johnson (for the season), plus Trumaine Johnson and De'Jon Jackson have only recently returned. The offense really suffered without this trio, with San Diego starting 4-6. With the latter Johnson back with Jackson, all-WCC performer Gyno Pomare has stepped up his scoring and the Toreros offense is a threat again. Their defense still playing well, suggesting the Under’s should keep on coming.

Following and playing totals does take time and effort, yet knowing where to start with the correct teams can be profitable right from the outset.