CBB – Winthrop At Missouri State

Much like the old television show the Outer Limits


2007-02-16

Much like the old television show the Outer Limits, tonight you do not need to adjust your set; it is true that on ESPN2, Winthrop is being covered by a major televised broadcast network. This sleepy college from Rock Hill, S.C. has made the NCAA Tournament each of the last two years and has its best team yet with this current edition. If this sounds outrageous and hard to believe, peruse early season box scores that had them leading at North Carolina with six minutes left, lost at Wisconsin by three and whipped Mississippi State by eleven on their home court.

Winthrop had high expectations coming into the season returning five of six leading scorers. Craig Bradshaw is a force inside at 6’10, being the Eagles second leading scorer and top rebounder. Michael Jenkins is top scorer at 15.8 points a game and Chris Gaynor is the point guard, a cousin of NBA star in the making Chris Paul. This is a very big game for Winthrop, who beat Northern Illinois in a Bracket Buster game last year only to lose a Big South game in next outing. This led to them receiving a 15th seed in which they were disappointed. The goal this season is to snag a victory over Missouri Valley squad and complete and unbeaten season in the conference with the hopes of moving up to a 12th seed this year.

Seldom is a Missouri Valley team thought of as the “big dog” in terms of a role; however that is exactly what Missouri State is this first of numerous televised Bracket Buster games this weekend. The Bears last gasp hope to win the conference went out the window with home loss to Southern Illinois this past Tuesday. Now instead they must quickly regroup and a formidable foe. For Missouri State it is all about using the calling card that leads to their success, the defense. The Bears allow 63.7 PPG on 41.6 percent shooting and are physical enough to take opponents out of their game. On offense guard Blake Ahern is leading scorer is part of a patient offense that makes 48.1 percent from the field, while drilling almost 41 percent from beyond the arc.

These teams have one common opponent in Wisconsin, while Winthrop narrowly lost, Missouri State eked out a 66-64 win. The Bears are 11-3 and 6-5 ATS on the home floor winning by 17.4 PPG. For these reasons and the obvious difference in the quality of the two conferences Missouri State is a 5.5-point favorite at Sportsbook.com.

The Bears are 8-1 ATS in home games after a game where they failed to cover the spread and 29-15 ATS as a favorite over the last couple of seasons. What the Eagles lack in publicity they make up in effort and skill and are 8-1 ATS in road tilts in non-conference games and perfect 6-0 against the spread as an underdog.

With a scant seven games on the docket, follow the Betting Trends page to seek opportunity tonight.

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