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Horse Racing NCAA Basketball Thursday Best Bets: Some Chalk and a Dog
NCAA Basketball Thursday Best Bets: Thursday, February 23rd
Our resident college hoops expert Ej Garr is coming off another 2 – 0 from Saturday’s action, and he is on the prowl for two more winners on Thursday. With some chalk and a dog in mind, Ej has a pair of betting options to choose from involving games from Conference USA and the Colonial Athletic Conference, so let’s take it to the court.
In this article:
- Charlotte 49ers vs North Texas Mean Green Preview
- Charlotte 49ers vs North Texas Mean Green Best Bet
- Charleston Cougars vs Towson Tigers Preview
- Charleston Cougars vs Towson Tigers Best Bet
Charlotte 49ers vs North Texas Mean Green Preview
February 24, 00:05 (UK time)
This may not come as the biggest surprise, but I was shocked that the line setters left us so much room on a play with the Mean Green on Thursday night. With only a -2.5 line to deal with, the Mean Green fulfills the chalk portion of today’s preview.
North Texas is essentially tied with FAU for the top spot in the Colonial Athletic Conference standings, as one loss separates the two programs with only a couple of games left to play. The Mean Green only has two games remaining before the conference tournament arrives while FAU will play four games before the end of the regular season.
The big problem for North Texas is the sweep. Florida Atlantic won both games in the season series with North Texas, so the only way the Mean Green can land the top spot is by going 3 – 0 while FAU loses two of their final four games. Unfortunately, the schedule for FAU points to an easy finish, but North Texas has to, at least, try to do its best to be in a position to steal the 1-seed.
Since the loss to Rice on January 19, the Mean Green has reeled off eight straight wins coming into tonight’s road game in Charlotte. North Texas will finish the regular season with two home games, but this team has had plenty of success in their travels this campaign. The Mean Green is 9 – 2 on the road and 4 – 1 at neutral sites this season, so I see this as an easy win and an opportunity to take an 11-game win streak into the Conference USA Tournament with a 3 – 0 finish.
Can I say that North Texas reminds me of the old Villanova teams under Jay Wright? Guard-heavy and defensively sound is the best way to describe the Mean Green campaign thus far, but the offense needs to step up its game. Despite having a trio of players averaging double-digits this year, the Mean Green rank 340th in the nation, only averaging 64.1 PPG.
I honestly give them no chance to take out FAU in the conference tourney, but we’re not there yet, and Charlotte brings nothing to fear. Neither of these two offenses can pose a big threat to any program, and that is why this total is so low. There might not even be 100 points scored in this game, but if I have to put my hard earned money on either side to come out with a win, the Mean Green can handle their business tonight.
Charlotte 49ers vs North Texas Mean Green Best Bet
I digress. This score will be 57 – 51, so they might break into the 100s. North Texas will escape with the win and the cover of the handicap, so have no fear!
- Selection: North Texas -2.5
- Best odds: 1.91 (William Hill)
- Stakes: 4/10
More Charlotte 49ers vs North Texas Mean Green Tips
Charleston Cougars vs Towson Tigers Preview
February 24, 00:05 (UK time)
It’s time for the underdog portion of the preview today. You may think that fading Charleston at home can be tricky, but Towson is so underrated and they can easily keep this game within double-digits. I am seeing +8.5 at William Hill with 1.91 odds on the offer, and that is plenty of points in my pocket for this contest.
Towson either wins or keeps games close, and it’s been that way all year. Since their loss to Delaware on January 11, the Tigers are 9 – 3, and all three losses were by less than 5 points. The first meeting between these two programs came down to the final possession of the game, as a 76 – 74 loss to the Cougars came in overtime. That was the first day of conference play back on December 31, and I think that 8.5 points are a bit of a gift.
The Cougars have rebounded from that 2-game losing skid with 5 straight wins in an obnoxious fashion. Over this current 5-game win streak, the Cougars have smashed their opponents to bits, and I assume there will be people expecting that to continue tonight. Towson may not be getting any respect from common folk, but I will give them the respect they deserve.
Charleston is not going to pound Towson, as this Tigers program is seeking their 20th win of the campaign and they’ve already shown they are not intimidated by the Cougars. Granted, this is a road game and not a home game, but I think that Towson is going to show up big and provide quite a scare to the Cougars tonight.
Towson is trying to lockdown the 4-seed for the Colonial Athletic Conference Tournament, and those 20 wins could prove vital towards any type of post-season tournament appearance. The NIT or CBI should come calling for the Tigers and I don’t think they will feel slighted for missing out on the big dance.
Towson might not win this game, but they will defintely pick up that 20th win in their final game of the regular season. Nick Timberlake has scored 55 points over the last two games, and as he goes the Tigers go. Luckily, the Tigers have 5 players who average more than 8 points a game, and I expect a big effort from them tonight.
Charleston Cougars vs Towson Tigers Best Bet
I won’t be so bold to call for the outright upset, but as I said, I see this game coming down to the wire again. That first meeting with the Cougars set the tone for the Tigers’ season, and I don’t see why they’d be intimidated by this trip to Charleston.
- Selection: Towson +8.5
- Best odds: 1.91 (William Hill)
- Stakes: 4/10
More Charleston Cougars vs Towson Tigers Tips
Odds as of 9:00 am February 23, 2023. Odds may now differ.
