Wake up with VSiN Daily Morning Bets, a quick 15-minute podcast posted at 7 a.m. ET highlighting the top games and biggest line moves of the day. For a full breakdown of Thursday’s betting action be sure to catch the VSiN Market Insights Podcast at 3 p.m. ET.
You can always track the latest odds and betting percentages for every game using our VSiN Betting Splits.
In the meantime, let’s examine where smart money is leaning for tonight’s College Basketball slate.
8:30 p.m. ET: Tennessee Tech at Eastern Illinois (-4)
Tennessee Tech (7-12) has dropped five of their last seven games and just got crushed by Tennessee State 85-53. Meanwhile, Eastern Illinois (9-10) has won three of their last five games and just took down Lindenwood 78-68. This line opened with Eastern Illinois listed as a 4-point home favorite. We’re seeing Eastern Illinois -4 get juiced up to -115, signaling wiseguy liability and a possible rise up to -4.5. Eastern Illinois is receiving 93% of bets and 98% of money. Normally, these splits would indicate a popular public play. However, this is one of the smallest and lowest bet games on the board featuring almost zero participation from public bettors. As a result, these percentages are likely coming from a preponderance of sharp bettors who have targeted Eastern Illinois. Eastern Illinois has the edge both offensively (71.7 PPG vs 69.6 PPG) and defensively (allowing 68.4 PPG vs 76.2 PPG). Eastern Illinois is far better in terms of offensive rebound percentage (28.5 vs 17.8), three point shooting (35% vs 29.9%) and free throw shooting (74.8% vs 72.4%). Ken Pom has Eastern Illinois winning by five points (70-65). He also has Eastern Illinois ranked higher (316th vs 327th). Eastern Illinois is 5-3 at home while Tennessee Tech is 2-8 on the road. Eastern Illinois is -180 on the moneyline. Eastern Illinois is receiving 88% of moneyline bets and 99% of moneyline dollars. Conference home favorites are 9-3 (75%) straight up in Ohio Valley Conference play.
8:30 p.m. ET: Arkansas State at Louisiana (-4.5, 155)
Arkansas State (8-11) just snapped a two-game losing skid with a 79-72 win over Texas State. On the flip side, Louisiana (11-8) has won three straight games and just took down South Alabama 88-79. This line opened with Louisiana listed as low as a 3-point home favorite. Pro bettors have pounced on Louisiana laying the short spread at home, steaming the Ragin Cajuns up from -3 to -4.5. Louisiana is receiving 77% of bets and 99% of money, signaling a heavily combination of both public and sharp support. Louisiana is the far betting shooting team, with a field goal percentage of 47% vs 43.6% for Arkansas State. Louisiana also has the superior free throw shooting (74.3% vs 70.4%) as well as the stingier defensive efficiency rating (170th vs 271st). Ken Pom has Louisiana winning by five points (80-75). He also has Louisiana ranked higher (133rd vs 162nd). Louisiana is 5-1 at home while Arkansas State is just 2-8 on the road. These teams met up on January 13th and Louisiana won 84-77 on Arkansas State’s home court. Conference home favorites are 20-7 (74%) straight up in Sun Belt play. Louisiana is -195 on the moneyline. Louisiana is receiving 89% of moneyline bets and 94% of moneyline dollars.
