Joe Duffy (www.OffshoreInsiders.com)
While so much focus is on the Big Dance, the true sharpies
focus just as much if not more on the NIT Tournament. Often there are more opportunities because
much like in the minor football bowls, elite sports betting experts take
advantage of certain teams playing in a huge game for them against foes that
are playing in a consolation tournament.
Of course we will take a look at the personnel match-ups,
wait until the private and public databases, strengths of schedule and power
ratings are updated through the Sunday finals, latest odds and match-ups.
But here are some major bullet points of great interest to
pointspread players for NIT match-ups.
South Alabama-Syracuse
made no bones about it: they won’t exactly be fired up as they believe they
should be in the NCAAs. Even head coach Jim Boeheim
said, “It will be difficult for (the players) to get geared up” for the NIT.
The Orangemen made first round exits of the NCAA
Tournament each of the last two appearances.
San Diego State-Missouri State
Often a team misses an at large bid to the big prize
because they struggled down the stretch.
Such is not the case for the Aztecs who enter this game winning 8-of-11.
played their worst against the best, going 1-7 against the top competition on
their schedule.
Air Force-Austin Peay
Air Force enters ice cold, having lost four straight. No team went from likely in to out quicker
than the Falcons and will face a challenge of regrouping.
Utah State-Michigan
Playing against a bigger conference foe won’t intimidate
the Aggies. They went 6-4 against teams that made
NCAA tournament, though none from BCS conferences.
It’s
eight straight tournament appearance, so the bright
lights will not be a factor.
Toledo-Florida State
is 27-5 home SU the last two years.
was just 5-12 SU outside the MAC. All 12 of FSU’s
losses were to teams in the RPI Top 50 so they have
feasted on non-elite teams.
NC State-Drexel
Though Drexel is widely considered the top snub, mid-major
teams rarely look at the NIT as something as kissing their sister. Instead, they could be the proverbial team
with a chip on their shoulder. They get
an NC State team that should be tired after their near miraculous run in the
ACC Finals fell short. State does not have a lot of depth and their players
logged significant minutes.
Vermont-Kansas State
Sharp players will keep a close eye on any signs over the
next couple of days as to whether the Wildcats disappointment will be a
rallying cry or deflating heartbreak. If it’s an “us against the world,” look
out. They are the first team in the
modern era from a major conference to win at least 20 games, including 10 in
their conference, but have to settle for the NIT.
Joe Duffy’s sports betting selections are at www.GodsTips.com. During his days as legendary handicapper “JD
of the ACC”, he developed the moniker of Mr. March for his 18 hour work days
that have resulted in unprecedented college basketball postseason winning.