856 Old Dominion -1 vs Western Kentucky

ODU has lost twice to WKU despite matching up very well. ODU are winners of 9/10 while WKU has lost 2/3. ODU is playing much better ball right now + is the far better defense with more experience. In a near pick-em spot, I like ODU to use its advantages to avoid a sweep.

869 Kansas State +7.5 vs Kansas

I’m even this at 8 in some spots as well. This is strictly a value play based on the number. I always have two sides of each game where a number falls into a play range. If this number is 3.5 or less, Kansas is the play minus the points. If its falls between 4-6.5, it’s a no play, and over 7 is a Kansas State play. Money has heavily moved this line from open, and pushed this to a favorable number. Kansas State typically plays their in state rival tough and this is a comfortable number to lose by if the game is close late with extra free throws for Kansas. Kansas State certainly matches up well enough and has enough talent to keep this close throughout, so I like their chances to cover this number.

863 Eastern Michigan +2 vs Toledo

Entering these conference tournaments, you always want to play hotter teams, better defenses and the more experienced squad. EMU checks all three boxes here against Toledo. Now, I understand I’m going against the grain here as in Toledo has already lost twice to EMU, while Toledo is the better team. EMU hasn’t lost in nearly a month because of stifling defense. Winners of 7 straight and 8 of 10, you won’t find too many hotter teams in a mid major conference like EMU. They have only given up more than 70 points once and this was to Toledo who literally came out on fire from three point range early and yet EMU still came back to win. EMU proved it can win a close game with Toledo and proved it could keep pace if Toledo is firing from downtown. I’ll happily take the team playing it’s best basketball of the year, with more experience getting a few points.