For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this matchup is on the large favorite:
The Hawks are coming off a loss and I expect them to have a "letdown" in this game.
Villanova converted 30 of 31 second-half free throw attempts, including 29 in a row, to win for the 43rd time in 57 meetings against the Hawks.
After St. Joe’s pulled within one by hitting the first basket of the second half, Villanova went on a 16-7 run over the next 6 minutes, building a 10-point lead.
Not only is St. Joseph's 0-5 SU its last five overall, its also 1-4 ATS its last five on the road and 1-4 ATS its last five overall.
On the other side of the court: Blake Hoffarber had 18 points and Minnesota scored the first 18 points of the game in a 94-64 victory over Morgan State on Tuesday night.
Lawrence Westbrook added 14 points, four assists and four steals for the Gophers.
Minnesota led 9-0 before Morgan State even managed a field goal attempt and the Bears shot just 26 % in the decisive first half; look for Minnesota to build momentum off that convincing performance.
The Golden Gophers are 6-3 SU to start the year.
Bottom line: The Hawks do not matchup well against the Gophers in key positions; look for MINNESOTA to improve to 5-3 ATS when playing the roll of favorite and for St. Joseph's to fall to 2-5 ATS as an underdog!
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons CBB 12-2
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