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CBB: Road tests for ranked clubs
Three top 20 teams put their lofty rankings to the test tonight as they hit the road against tough conference foes. As always, Sportsbook.com is the place to get the most ways to bet on each of these games in addition to every other game on tonight's betting board.
Trying to break fall
Georgetown (18-7, 11-10 ATS) has lost two in a row for the first time all season and will visit a place where victories for road teams are like reduced bank fees, not as easy to come by as they might appear, Louisville. The Hoyas are 6-3 and 5-4 ATS against ranked teams, but recent losses to Rutgers and South Florida shows focus is an issue, not being able to stay on an even enough keel.
Georgetown is 10-24 ATS against conference opponents over the last two seasons and travels to Louisville (18-9, 8-14 ATS), who has moved a game ahead of the Hoyas in the Big East standings with a 9-5 record, thanks to three wins in a row. Coach John Thompson III team has not been on the floor since last Thursday and will need every ounce of energy, since they lack depth and the Cardinals will press most likely the entire game, using 10 or more players to keep up the pressure before the home crowd. Louisville is 14-3 (4-8 ATS) at home this season. After being a top Big East play for a few seasons, Rick Pitino's crew has sagged noticeably with 3-10 ATS record after a conference game this season.
Georgetown is currently a three-point underdog at Sportsbook.com. The Hoyas cannot allow the Cardinals to reach their typical home scoring average (78.1) since they are 10-26 ATS when they allow 75 to 80 points.
Rarified air intoxicating for Wildcats
Kansas State has moved to its highest ranking since John Kennedy was still the president of the United States (1962) but this meeting with Texas Tech is a treacherous matchup for a team with visions of revenge and No. 2 seed. The Wildcats are 22-4 (15-6 ATS) and their next two contests are vs. teams they've lost to, however, unless they are careful, K-State could get nicked again. Kansas State is 9-19 ATS in road games after playing a game as favorite over the last three seasons.
Texas Tech (16-10, 12-8 ATS) can scare the life out of a team in Lubbock. The Red Raiders are 13-3 (8-3 ATS) on their own floor, with the losses by a total of 11 points. Texas Tech lacks the physical ability of Kansas State, but not the heart. "Our kids just didn't quit and battled all the way to the end," coach Pat Knight said of four point loss to Texas. "I kept telling them ‘if you hang around good things can happen.' The Red Raiders are 14-5 ATS at home versus teams outscoring opponents by eight or points a game the last few years.
Kansas State is a six-point road favorite at Sportsbook.com, with total of 158.5 and is tough to beat after a hot shooting game going 6-0 ATS after they've made 50 percent or more of 3-point shots. Do not discount the Red Raiders who are 9-2 ATS in home games when the total is 150 to 159.5.
Tennessee hopes to avoid being Gator bait
After losing four of seven games, Tennessee (20-6, 10-13 ATS) would like to believe they have stabilized with consecutive wins. The Volunteers are tied with Florida at 8-4 in the SEC East, one game behind Vanderbilt and want to keep building late season momentum. Seniors like guard Bobby Maze are feeling their college basketball mortality and want to assure they are doing things right. "As the clock ticks down, I want people to remember me here," Maze said of his collegiate career. "That I gave it my all on the floor and against the best players, I rise to the occasion." In all likelihood, he and his Vols teammates will have to rise to the occasion since they are 11-22 ATS in road games after playing consecutive games as favorite.
Florida (19-8, 12-10 ATS) is looking to make a late season push also. The Gators won and covered at Mississippi as road underdogs 64-61, despite shooting 36.5 percent and would seem to have the greater motivation. Florida has missed out on last two NCAA Tournaments after being back-to-back champions and has a strong desire to return to Big Dance. In addition, they have lost six straight to Tennessee (1-4-1 ATS) and are 14-5 ATS off a close win by three points or less over a SEC rival.
Sportsbook.com has the Volunteers as three-point road dogs and are 13-26 ATS facing poor 3-point shooting teams, converting on 31 percent or less of their attempts. This SEC showdown begins after 9:00 Eastern on ESPN.
