College Basketball Best Bets: Fade The Storm | January 24, 2024

Georgia Tech could not do it for us last night, so we broke even with Georgia Tech taking care of business. Tonight is a different story. Hopefully, things can go our way and sweep on this beautiful hump day!

Write Up Transparency

Be sure to follow me on X/Twitter @C_marchio2 to get my full card every day!

Let’s check in on how I have been doing betting on college hoops since joining Betting News.

10-8 (55%)

(As of January 23, 2024)

Tulane vs UTSA Predictions

Matchup Information – College Basketball

Venue & Location: UTSA Convocation Center (San Antonio, TX)
Date: January 24, 2024
Tip Off: 8:00pm Eastern
Broadcast: ESPN+

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of Bovada: One of the leaders in the sports betting market!

Spread

Tulane: (-7.5) (-110)
UTSA: (+7.5) (-110)

Total

Over: 171.0 (-110)
Under: 171.0 (-110)

Moneyline

Tulane: (-320)
UTSA:(+260)

The Pick: UTSA (+7.5) (-110) Get These Odds & Sign Up Bonus @ Bovada

The Stank

Well, well, well, what do we have here? Did I see that Tulane had one of their biggest wins in four decades? I did! Were their fans storming the court after? Oh, they were? Perfect.

⛈️Fade the Storm⛈️

UTSA on Wednesday pic.twitter.com/V9dGlV8Jbc

— Colby Marchio (@ColbyMBets) January 21, 2024

Coming off arguably the biggest win in program history, the Green Waves are in a massive letdown spot as they head into San Antonio to take on the Roadrunners.

UTSA should be coming into this game pissed off; they had an opportunity to take down Florida Atlantic on Sunday but blew it in overtime.

I liked the team that got slapped in the face at home this past weekend. UTSA plays significantly better ball at home. The Roadrunners have the road/home advantage, according to Haslametrics, as Tulane is ranked as the worst team on the road in the country. While having the hot hand as of late, UTSA is 37th in momentum, having a clear edge against the Green Waves.

Additionally, UTSA’s offense steps up in big games as they drain threes and get after rebounds. The Roadrunners should excel from behind the arc against Tulane, as they are in the high 200s in 3-point defense.

If UTSA can win the rebounding battle and knock down their threes, they should be golden.

Concerns: The Roadrunners struggle from deep; they rely heavily on the three (40th in 3-point rate). However, centering your offense is a system, and with that system, you die by it. Fade the storm.

East Tennessee State vs VMI Predictions

Matchup Information – College Basketball

Venue & Location: Lexington, Virginia
Date: January 24, 2024
Tip Off: 6:00pm Eastern
Broadcast: ESP+

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of Bovada: One of the leaders in the sports betting market!

Spread

ETSU: (-9.0) (-110)
VMI: (+9.0) (-110)

Total

Over: 153.5 (-110)
Under: 153.5 (-110)

Moneyline

ETSU: -450
VMI: +335

The Pick: ETSU (-9.5) (-110) Get These Odds & Sign Up Bonus @ Bovada

The Stank

On Saturday, VMI took down their arch-rival, The Citadel, as 9.5 points underdogs. The few and the proud VMI faithful stormed the court to celebrate beating their rival. It was beautiful. It was pure. It will so come back to bite them Wednesday night.

⛈️ Fade the Storm⛈️

East Tennessee State on Wednesday
pic.twitter.com/J63D7H5szJ

— Colby Marchio (@ColbyMBets) January 20, 2024

Now hosting ETSU, the Keydets will need to carry that momentum from Saturday over Wednesday night’s matchup.

Saturday’s win over The Citadel was VMI’s first win against a Division One opponent this season. Their previous three wins are against non-D1 opponents.

How is that possible? Well, wait until you hear this.

Instead of diving into how good ETSU is and why I love their team, let me tell you how bad VMI is and how that was probably the biggest win they will have all season. VMI is ranked as the fifth-worst team in Bart Torvik’s rankings. Offensively, they are the third-worst offense in the country. They cannot shoot, protect the ball, rebound, or make free throws. The same goes for their defense, ranked 290th in adjusted defensive efficiency. Again, they cannot defend or rebound. The Keydets are an all-around mess.

ETSU is nothing special, but they are significantly better than VMI. The Buccaneers play slightly better on the road this season. They are solid defensively and can force turnovers and block shots. On the offensive end, they get a lot of second-chance opportunities, 91st in offensive rebounding on the road.

According to Haslametrics, the Buccaneers have a lot of advantages in this game. Mainly having better away/home success, strength in schedule, and all-play percentage. The number seems high, but if ETSU can slow the tempo and play their game. VMI will not cause any problems.

Concerns: Is it bad that I do not think there are any? Outside of the possibility that VMI stays hot at home.