Friday Night Hoops – Double Header selections

Friday Night Hoops – Double Header Selections

by Tommy Lynch, senior college basketball analyst for Wannamakeabet.com

Baylor vs Gonzaga (-1.5) 162.5
This Top 25 matchup will take place at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls South Dakota. Both of these sides have played big matchups already this season and have struggled more than people thought they would going into the season each having lost 2 games. Both of these teams have prolific offenses and depending on what stats you like to use these teams are the #1 and #2 in offensive efficiency. However, they both have struggled defensively.

The Zags are led by none other than Drew Timme who is having another great season averaging 20 points a game while collecting 7 boards a game. After Timme is a collection of pieces in Strawther, Bolton and Hickman. All 3 are shooting over 40% from 3! As a team the zags are shooting 41% from 3 and are 5th in the country in effective FG%. The problem with the zags lies on the defensive end. They have allowed teams to score with ease at times allowing 93 to Texas, 84 to Purdue and 84 to Xavier. They are ranked 218th in the country in defensive effective FG%. If this continues, they are going to struggle mightily with this Baylor offense.

The Baylor Bears are led by arguably the best guard duo in the country in LJ Cryer and Flager. Both of these players are averaging 17 points a game and shooting over 3% from 3. Freshman star Keyonte George is still trying to get going. He has had good spurts but also has struggled at times. The Bears weakness lies with their big boys. Bridges transferred in from WVU and has provided some defense and Flo Thamba is all they really have at the 5. The Bears are really missing JTT who is sidelined with an injury. They are not the same on defense as they have been in years past letting up 86 to UVA and 96 to Marquette.

This game will have no shortage of points. Both these teams are perfectly fine turning this into a track meet. Even with a high total of 162.5 I have no problem taking the over here the way these offenses are clicking and more importantly with how bad these defenses are. The Bears are still being priced as if they are still a Top 30 defense and that is just not the case this year. As high as I was on Baylor going into the season, this matchup sets up well for the Zags. Timmie should have a huge day down low against this weak Baylor defense. I will also take the Zags -1.5 as they look for revenge for the 2021 NCAA championship.

The Bets: Over 162.5 & Gonzaga -1.5

Illinois @ Maryland (-1) 145.5
The 6-1 Fighting Illini will head to College Park to take on what figures to be a hostile crowd supporting their 7-0 Maryland Terps! This will be the first real test for 1st year HC Kevin Willard’s team who has looked impressive but against weaker competition. This will start a 4-game stretch for the Terps of taking on Ill, Wisconsin, Tennessee and UCLA!

Maryland does not have that one true scorer, they do it by a collective effort. Scott, Young Reese and Hart are all averaging between 13-16 points a game. As a team their 2pt % is 60.9%! They have been great on the offensive glass but their main struggle on offense has been the 3 ball where they are just shooting 31.8%. The defense has looked good but again they have not been tested so these data points will be put to the test tonight.

Illinois has reaped the benefits of the transfer portal mainly from transfer Terrence Shannon who has been on fire to start the season. He is averaging 20 points a game, collecting over 6 boards a game and shooting almost 43% from deep. Along with Maryland this team’s 2pt FG% is 60%! Their struggles on offense come from the free throw line and turnovers. Defensively they are bought in. Currently sitting as a top 10 defense they have been causing problems for teams this year.

This will be a great atmosphere in College Park tonight and should be a great game. This will be Illinois first true road test. How will that translate to a team that is starting 2 freshmen guards that are already struggling with turnovers and as a team struggling to hit free throws. Outside of that I think the main thing to watch in this matchup is Illinois defense against the Terps interior scoring.

As we mentioned Maryland is shooting at a very high clip inside the arc but the Illini are top 10 in the country allowing only 40%. Illinois has struggled on the road in the past few years, but I think having a true scorer on their team now will help them big time. While the rowdy fans could lead Maryland to a big statement win, I will put my faith in the freshman ball handlers and this Illinois defense to get the job done. 

The Bet: Illinois +1