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We’ve got a short list in college basketball, with one featured ACC matchup the league probably regrets putting in prime time, and a Big East battle that one bubble team will need to survive.
The Xavier Musketeers head to MSG to face St. John’s. The Muskies sit squarely on a round bubble, with a 16-9 record against a challenging schedule, but just 5-7 in the Big East. There’s no easy games left, but with Butler and Villanova on the slate still, they could use no mistakes otherwise to make sure they’re in The Dance. They’re a No. 8 seed by Jerry Palm as of now, but with plenty of room to move still.
When the Notre Dame Fighting Irish head to Chapel Hill to face the North Carolina Tar Heels tonight, it’s the most ACC game possible: filled with missed opportunity and disappointment. The Heels are still somehow in the Top 100 despite a record of 10-15 and playing in a very weak league. Cole Anthony makes them more watchable, but they’re still not going anywhere outside of a four-to-five-game miracle run in Greensboro for the conference title. And as Roy Williams himself has said, this team just isn’t as talented as their usual standard.
Mike Brey is probably safe at Notre Dame despite a rough season, but when John Beilein is out in the ether you never know. There would normally be a scenario where UND could fight their way back on the bubble by closing strong in the ACC, but somehow there’s only one chance left for a Q1 win, at home to FSU in March. When Tobacco Road can’t get you quality wins, you know something is amiss in college basketball.
Finally the No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks are 16.5 point favorites at home tonight against the Iowa State Cyclones. ISU has limped to an 11-14 record this year, 4-8 in the Big XII, and the big number isn’t scaring off bettors so far: right now 68% of the tickets and 79% of the action at DraftKings Sportsbook is on KU at Phog Allen Fieldhouse
The following lines are courtesy of DraftKings.
Morning Line Feb 17
| Time | Team | Spread | Total | Money Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time | Team | Spread | Total | Money Line |
| 6:30 PM | Xavier | -2 -112 | O 141.5 -109 | -134 |
| 6:30 PM | St. John's | +2 -109 | U 141.5 -112 | 112 |
| 7:00 PM | North Carolina | +3 -108 | O 147.5 -109 | 130 |
| 7:00 PM | Notre Dame | -3 -112 | U 147.5 -112 | -157 |
| 7:00 PM | North Carolina Central | +2 -109 | O 134.5 -108 | 112 |
| 7:00 PM | North Carolina A&T | -2 -112 | U 134.5 -112 | -134 |
| 7:05 PM | Bucknell | -6.5 -110 | O 146.5 -113 | -295 |
| 7:05 PM | Holy Cross | +6.5 -110 | U 146.5 -107 | 230 |
| 7:30 PM | Bethune-Cookman | -8 -110 | O 160.5 -108 | -385 |
| 7:30 PM | Delaware State | +8 -110 | U 160.5 -113 | 295 |
| 7:30 PM | Florida A&M | -4 -112 | O 128.5 -107 | -190 |
| 7:30 PM | Maryland-Eastern Shore | +4 -108 | U 128.5 -113 | 155 |
| 7:30 PM | Morgan State | +1 -112 | O 141.5 -109 | -105 |
| 7:30 PM | South Carolina State | -1 -109 | U 141.5 -112 | -115 |
| 8:00 PM | Coppin State | +9 -110 | O 136 -113 | 360 |
| 8:00 PM | Norfolk State | -9 -110 | U 136 -108 | -480 |
| 8:30 PM | Mississippi Valley State | +14.5 -109 | O 152 -110 | 850 |
| 8:30 PM | Southern University | -14.5 -110 | U 152 -110 | -1667 |
| 8:30 PM | Arkansas-Pine Bluff | +9 -110 | O 128.5 -112 | 360 |
| 8:30 PM | Alcorn State | -9 -110 | U 128.5 -108 | -500 |
| 8:30 PM | Grambling St | +5.5 -109 | O 143 -107 | 195 |
| 8:30 PM | Texas Southern | -5.5 -110 | U 143 -113 | -245 |
| 9:00 PM | Iowa State | +16 -110 | O 143.5 -110 | 1000 |
| 9:00 PM | Kansas | -16 -110 | U 143.5 -110 | -2000 |
| 9:00 PM | Jackson State | +8 -110 | O 132.5 -112 | 300 |
| 9:00 PM | Prairie View A&M | -8 -110 | U 132.5 -108 | -400 |
| 10:05 PM | Idaho | +11 -110 | O 148.5 -108 | 480 |
| 10:05 PM | Portland State | -11 -110 | U 148.5 -113 | -715 |
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