Not only are Power 5 conferences wrapping up their regular season matchups this week, but mid-major programs are tipping off their league tournaments, as well.
Among them, No. 11 Purdue travels to unranked Minnesota, while Green Bay and Illinois-Chicago clash as the fourth and fifth seed, respectively, in the Horizon League tournament.
Let's find some betting value in both of these Tuesday matchups.
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Betting Odds: UIC Flames vs. Green Bay Phoenix
- Spread: Green Bay -2.5
- Over/Under: 155
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN+
The Phoenix swept their regular season series with the Flames, covering in both contests in the process.
Green Bay attempted at least 21 free throws in each game, exhibiting why it owns the highest free-throw rate (35.9%) during Horizon League play. On the flip side, UIC has allowed the highest percentage (41.4%) in that department.
Green Bay's 6-foot-6 guard Sandy Cohen III represents one of the versatile scorers (17.2 points per game) in the conference, as he's shown a prowess for getting to the line in transition.
The Phoenix will exploit UIC in that department.
Green Bay will be able push the pace often (eighth-rated DI Adjusted Tempo) via its ability to turn opponents over. Linc Darner's crew owns the third-highest opponents' turnover rate (19.7%) in league play.
That's bad news for a UIC squad that produces the second-highest turnover percentage (19.4%).
Cohen and fellow wing Kam Hankerson will make life miserable for UIC's ball-handlers, as the Phoenix's lengthy lineup allows them to switch at every position.
Not only does Green Bay have a promising matchup in this game, but I also like the Phoenix to make a deep run in the Horizon League tourney.
THE PICK: Green Bay -2.5
Betting Odds: Purdue Boilermakers at Minnesota Golden Gophers
- Spread: Purdue -5
- Over/Under: 140
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- TV: Big Ten Network
Purdue (22-7 overall, 15-3 in conference) controls its own destiny for an outright Big Ten regular season crown, while Minnesota (18-11, 8-10) is squarely on the bubble.
A victory at Williams Arena would represent a Quadrant 1 win, looming large for the Gophers' NCAA tournament resume.
Richard Pitino's squad controlled much of the action in the last meeting between these teams on Feb. 3, leading 47-34 with 14:05 to go. But it managed to notch just 16 points the rest of the way. The Gophers covered the closing line (+10.5), but fell, 73-63, in West Lafayette.
The Golden Gophers' poor second-half execution was the result of going 2-of-16 (12.5%) from 3.
Minnesota has begun to refine its perimeter offense, shooting 35.9% over its past three affairs.
The 6-foot-8 Amir Coffey (15.2 ppg) went 3-of-6 from deep vs. Northwestern, and I'm betting on him coming out hot in a must-win scenario. The Boilermakers are allowing the highest 3-point scoring rate (34.7%) in Big Ten play.
At the other end, Purdue's Naismith Player of the Year candidate Carsen Edwards (23.5 ppg) tallied 15 of his 17 points in the second half of their previous matchup, but he only shot 1-of-9 from behind the arc.
Pitino's bunch is yielding the fourth-lowest 3-point scoring rate (27.1%) in conference play, while the Boilermakers' offense is posting the highest clip (36.9%) from that vicinity.
Expect the motivated Golden Gophers squad to hold Matt Painter's 3-point arsenal in check and cover in a revenge spot.
THE PICK: Minnesota +5
Editor’s note: The opinions on these games are from the individual writer and are based on his research, analysis and perspective. They are independent of, and may not always match with, the algorithm-driven Best Bets from Sports Insights.
