NCAA Basketball Best Bets for November 13: Playing Unders on Hump Day
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Willie Bee
- November 13, 2024
Top NCAAB Pick: Louisiana/Houston Under 138 (-108) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
After fighting amongst themselves, the Auburn Tigers took the fight to Houston last Saturday and upended the Cougars with a big second half to pull off the upset.
Both sides return to the floor on Wednesday, and do so laying big spreads at the top-rated sportsbooks. Could Auburn be facing a bit of a hangover from its big win, and will Houston be able to put the loss out of mind to return to business?
Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Auburn Tigers
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 – 08:00 PM ET at Neville Arena
Headlines at ESPN last Saturday were “Auburn stuns No. 4 UH” following the Tigers’ 74-69 last weekend in Houston. I’m not so sure it’s stunning when No. 11 beats No. 4, but then we’re talking about a media outlet that spent more time breaking down the return path of the flight after the skirmish on Auburn’s first flight to Texas than it did on Houston’s sloppy defense.
It will be Kent State doing the flying for Auburn on Wednesday as Bruce Pearl’s squad looks to build off the big win. Now up to No. 5 in the latest AP rankings, the Tigers are favored by 21 over the Golden Flashes at Heritage Sports where 146.5 is the total.
Can Flashes Disrupt Tigers’ Backcourt?
Just a few seconds away from the MAC Championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament, Kent State watched it all disappear last March because of a mental mistake. Rob Senderoff and the Golden Flashes have regrouped, however, and are off to a 2-0 start to this season.
One thing that helps is having point guard Jalen Sullinger back after the senior appeared ready to transfer. And having Morgan Safford on the floor after he missed all of last season following his transfer from rival Miami-Ohio adds to the backcourt talent.
Auburn’s Guard Trio
The Golden Flashes will need that backcourt to step up against a trio of Auburn guards who are each scoring 10+ per game in the early going. Miles Kelly, who transferred from Georgia Tech, is a 3-point threat along with freshman Tahaad Pettiford, and Denver Jones leads in assists.
It was Pettiford who frustrated Houston guards on the perimeter last Saturday, and that opened things up inside for 6-10 forward Johni Broome.
Programs Collide for 1st Time
This is the first meeting between Kent State and Auburn, and the first of two ranked matchups against SEC teams for the Golden Flashes, who are at Alabama just before Christmas.
Pearl hasn’t mentioned anything this week about Jahki Howard and Ja’Heim Hudson, the two forwards behind last week’s fight on the flight to Houston. That pair combined for 35 minutes in the season opener against Vermont but didn’t join the team for its second flight to face the Cougars.
Let’s start our Hump Day college basketball picks with an Under between the Flashes and Tigers.
NCAAB Pick: Kent State/Auburn Under 146.5 (-108) at Heritage Sports
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Houston Cougars
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 – 08:00 PM ET at Fertitta Center
Kelvin Sampson has the task of putting last Saturday’s loss out of his team’s mind, and no doubt worked his Houston squad to get back to its usual strong defense that has been a Cougars calling card for several seasons.
Oddsmakers don’t expect the Cougars to have much trouble against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, who trek from Lafayette to Houston as 28.5-point underdogs.
Cougs Should Have Huge Advantage in Paint
This past offseason was a case of injury added to insult for Bob Marlin and the Ragin’ Cajuns. The insult came in the form of senior forwards Kobe Julien and Joe Charles transferring to Arkansas State and McNeese, respectively. Julien led Louisiana in scoring last year with 17.3 PPG, while Charles ranked third in scoring (11.9 ppg) and first in rebounding (9.6 rpg).
The injury came about a month ago when forward Hosana Kitenge was injured and lost for the season. That left the Ragin’ Cajuns without their three top scorers and their entire frontcourt.
Auburn’s Paint Struggles
That should give Houston’s big men – seniors J’Wan Roberts and Ja’Vier Francis, plus sophomore Joseph Tugler – a little easier time of things than they had against Auburn. The Tigers outscored the Cougars 36-28 in the paint.
Houston will also need more offense and defense from guards L.J. Cryer and Emanuel Sharp. That pair combined for 8-23 (34.7%) shooting against Auburn, compounded by Cryer having to sit due to foul trouble.
Last 2 Meetings Stay ‘Under’
This will be the 15th meeting between the Ragin’ Cajuns and Cougars, and the first since 2021. Houston won the matchup three years ago, 71-56, with Louisiana cashing tickets as a 22-point underdog.
The Cougars will dominate inside and can name the final score, which I happen to think will also come up short of the scoreboard target.
NCAAB Pick: Louisiana/Houston Under 138 (-108) at Heritage Sports
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
