Can you taste it? Feast Week is almost here. As the holiday season approaches, college basketball is heating up. Teams are starting to find their footing, and players' roles are becoming more clear. It's a perfect chance to bet some player props.
Tonight, we have our eye on three college basketball player props that have been trending in the right direction for Friday, November 17.
Posh Alexander Over 10.5 Points (-125)
Butler vs. Michigan State | 6:30 p.m. ET
Everyone's attention is on Alexander's teammate, Pierre Brooks II, who's making his return trip to the Breslin Center after starting his career in East Lansing.
But the real scoring value may be on Butler's best player — Posh Alexander.
Posh has easily cleared this line in all three games this season, tallying 13 points, 15 points and 13 points thus far. He's averaging over nine shot attempts per game, and is operating as the featured option in the Butler offense.
Going back to last year, Alexander has hit this number in seven of his last eight games. He's comfortable as a high-volume scorer, and he should be up to the challenge against Tyson Walker and the Michigan State backcourt tonight.
Jaden Akins Over 5.5 Rebounds (-130)
Butler vs. Michigan State | 6:30 p.m. ET
Staying in the same game, but moving to the Spartans for my next favorite prop tonight.
Much has been made about Michigan State's shooting struggles, but its rebounding has been nearly as bad to start the year.
Mady Sissoko and Carson Cooper aren't great on the boards, which requires Michigan State's guards to get more aggressive boxing out on the defensive end. Akins has been the biggest contributor, as he's averaging 8.7 boards through three games while tallying 11, seven and eight in sequence.
It's difficult to take Akins off the floor both for offensive and defensive purposes. He's one of only two proven shooting threats, and even as Tom Izzo tinkers with lineups, Akins should continue to be a constant, allowing him to run up the rebounding numbers yet again.
Terrance Williams II Over 10.5 Points (+105)
Long Beach State vs. Michigan | 7 p.m. ET
We finalize our props card for Friday with another player from the state of Michigan, this time turning to the pleasantly surprising Wolverines.
No one expected much from Michigan early this season — especially without its head coach Juwan Howard — but it's passing early tests with flying colors thanks to a breakout start from Dug McDaniel and tons of help from his wings, including Terrance Williams II.
Williams struggled for much of last season, lacking confidence and missing wide open 3s on a consistent basis. He seems to have completely re-shaped his body — looking much more suited to play on the perimeter — and his jump shot shows it.
Williams is averaging 13.3 points per game through three contests, with 15, 13 and 12 in each individual game. He has knocked down two 3s or more in each of the three games for good measure.
I love this line at plus money.
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