This Wednesday in college hoops, look for Dana Altman’s Oregon Ducks to get hot down the stretch of conference play. Tonight, they take on a struggling Iowa defense that has dropped four of their last five.
Alabama and Nate Oats look to get back into the win column against a solid Missouri team in SEC play. With Mark Sears and Grant Nelson playing some elite basketball, expect ‘Bama’s offense to be too much for the Tigers tonight.
Best Bet: OREGON -1.5 over Iowa
Historically, this is where you bet on Dana Altman and the Ducks to find their rhythm. Oregon had a horrendous end to January and start to February, losing five straight games, including two by ten points or more. After two victories against Northwestern and Rutgers, Jackson Shelstad seems to be back on track and this team is back in the tournament conversation.
Looking back on previous seasons, Altman led Oregon to four straight wins and the Pac-12 tournament championship in 2024 as well as four straight wins and a championship appearance in 2023. Ultimately, Altman plays well down the stretch in conference play and that should continue tonight against an Iowa team that has dropped seven of their last nine games, including going 0-2 against the former Pac 12 Los Angeles teams away from home.
The Hawkeyes allow 79.5 PPG and over their last three, allow 39.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Take the Ducks to get the away win tonight.
Best Bet: ALABAMA +1.5 over Missouri
Although Nate Oats and his Crimson Tide lost a tough battle against Auburn this past weekend, we are riding with the Tide once again against Missouri tonight. Mark Sears and Grant Nelson have this offense churning, scoring an NCAA-high 90.3 PPG.
Although their defense can be suspect at times, ‘Bama wins close games. Missouri bounced back after their back-to-back three- and four-point losses to Tennessee and Texas A&M, but with Mark Sears due to heat up to end the season, it’s difficult to see Missouri pull off the victory here.
Scoring 85 points against Auburn despite shooting 5 of 26 from beyond the arc, take Alabama to bounce back and retain a one-seed projection heading into next week.
Best Bet: NEW MEXICO +4.5 over Boise State
New Mexico currently stands as a nine seed in Joe Lunardi’s most recent bracketology. The Lobos are 17th in the country in points per game at 83.2 and do so by controlling the paint. They are 18th in the country in rebounds with three 6’9 and taller players from outside the States completely wiping opponents of any chance on the glass.
In the backcourt, Donovan Dent is a junior guard who is averaging 19.7 PPG and 6.3 APG on efficient shooting splits. This team truly has it all and will be a contender come March. Boise State will try to end the Lobos’ 8-game win streak with their fantastic defense.
With that being said, The Broncos were blown out against this squad in Albuquerque a month ago with six Lobos scoring nine or more points. Over their last three games, New Mexico has 10.3 extra scoring chances per game on 11.7 offensive rebounds per game. This stat will give them this victory against Boise State away from home.
