Syracuse at Cincinnati 2012 College Basketball picks: Today’s ESPN Big Monday college basketball opener features the No.1 ranked Syracuse Orange (20-1 SU, 12-8 ATS) traveling to Ohio to play the Cincinnati Bearcats (15-5 SU, 7-7 ATS) in a pivotal BIG EAST Conference contest. The Orange will be looking to rebound following its first loss of the season, also on the road at Notre Dame. is coming off its first loss of the season. Cincinnati also lost in its previous outing, on the road at West Virginia. ESPN will provide nationwide coverage of the game starting at 7:00 pm ET.
Oddsmakers at online sportsbook TopBet.com have installed the Bearcats as +5 1/2-point home underdogs to favored Syracuse, currently priced at -240 for a SU moneyline win. Bearcats backers are getting +200 College Basketball Odds to win SU while the game total (over/under) is holding at 135.
Early betting trends show the Orange drawing 71 % of side action giving -5 1/2, however, the Bearcats are getting 59% of wagers for a SU win getting +200 in home juice ($100 wager to win $200).
Syracuse has beat the spread away from home in four of five games and is 12-8 ATS overall. Cincinnati is 10-3 SU and has not been a good bet for backers covering ATS only one time in seven games.
In Cincinnati’s previous action at West Virginia, Cashmere Wright led four Bearcats in double figures with 17 points and a career best seven rebounds. Yancy Gates posted a double-double with 10 points and a seasopn-high 13 rebounds. Dion Dixon and Sean Kilpatrick tallied 12 points each. The Bearcats covered the betting spread as a +5 underdog. James Southerland led all Syracuse scorers with 15 points against Notre Dame but lost the game SU as 9-chalk road favorites.
Without Center Fab Melo protecting the inside, the Bearcats should be able to take advantage of the short handed Orange. I’m not sure if the Bearcats can pull off a SU win but I like them getting 5 1/2 points at home. My Pick – Bearcats +5 1/2.
The 2011-12 College Basketball Season is now in full swing as schools have begun the battle for conference championships in pursuit of March Madness. College sports handicapper Reno Gold will be making College Basketball Odds picks through all of March Madness and the NCAA Tournament. The good news for college sports bettors – RENO’S PICKS ARE FREE. Check daily for Reno Gold’s opinion on all the top games each week for free. We also encourage you to sign up to get Free NCAA Basketball Picks now!
