Ball State is just 1-6 in conference play but so is Northern Illinois. N. ILL is coming off a huge road win against Kent State where they were a +11 dog and now they are on the road where they are just 1-6 following a win this season. Ball State is the better offensive team while they shoot more three's Northern Illinois has had troubles allowing opponents to shoot over 40% from three on the road and over 42% in their last 5 games. This is Ball State's opportunity to get a nice home win against a team they are evenly matched with.
Memphis has been a dominant team on the road and I believe their road winning streak ends here today against SMU. The Mustangs have been the best defensive team in the nation and are #1 in 2 point defense holding opponents to under 36% from there. In last years match up they held Memphis to 29.8% despite losing, but this year they are a better offensive team and Memphis has been up and down with their defense ranking 137th in 2 point defense where SMU will shoot most of their shots. SMU already defeated Uconn at home while Memphis lost to Uconn at home recently.
Utah is 0-5 on the road this year, but this line keeps moving the other way and I feel confident looking at the conference stats because both teams have had the same exact schedule and have played the same opponents in the same spot home/away. Utah is 5 points better in conference play and that gives us tremendous value in this spot. Utah is better on the offensive end and they also handle the ball better with a much higher assist to turnover ratio. Colorado can rebound a bit better, but in the end I think this will be a game that goes down the wire between the two neighboring states.
