Boston College vs. Nebraska College Basketball Odds & Picks: Follow This Trend
Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Fred Hoiberg (Nebraska)
- In what easily could be considered the worst matchup of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Boston College faces Nebraska on Wednesday evening.
- While it may not be entirely intriguing from a fan perspective, there is betting value on the matchup.
- Kyle Remillard explains why and breaks down his selection.
Boston College vs. Nebraska Odds
| Boston College Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -104 | 130.5 -114o / -106u | +198 |
| Nebraska Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -118 | 130.5 -114o / -106u | -245 |
Nebraska and Boston College meet in a clash of Power Five programs.
The Cornhuskers are 4-3 on the season under head coach Fred Hoiberg. Three of their four victories have come against programs that rank outside the top 300. The fourth was last time out when they defeated a Florida State program that is 1-7 on the season.
Nebraska’s three losses have all come against stiffer competition. The program suffered double-digit defeats to St. John’s, Oklahoma and Memphis.
Boston College suffered two uncharacteristic defeats to Maine and Tarleton State earlier in the month. It's since rebounded with some solid victories over George Mason, Wyoming and Rhode Island.
The Eagles' defense has been terrific, but they’re still searching for some offensive weapons.
The tempo of this matchup should provide some value from a betting perspective.
Boston College Eagles
Despite the 5-2 start this season, Boston College has some serious holes that need to be addressed — specifically on the offensive end of the floor.
The Eagles' offense ranks outside the top 200 in efficiency and is averaging just 64 points per game.
The main issue has been a lack of playmakers who can create their own shot.
The Eagles don't take many shot attempts from beyond the arc. The group ranks 355th, with only 26% of its attempts coming from behind the arc. This is for a good reason, as the Eagles are hitting only 28% from 3-point territory, which ranks 314th nationally.
Leading scorer Makai Ashton-Langford has connected on only 2-of-19 (11%) from deep this season. He’s due for some regression, but was a 29% shooter from 3-point land last season.
Scoring inside the paint has also been a major issue, as the group is hitting only 47% on its 2-point attempts. All together, the offense is converting at 46% from the field, which ranks 298th. 61% of the team's points have come from 2-point territory, which is the 15th-highest mark in the country.
Earl Grant’s squad plays with heart, and it shows on the defensive end of the floor. The defense ranks among the top 50 in defensive efficiency and held its last two opponents to below 50 points. The Eagles have blocked 16% of their opponents' shot attempts, which ranks 14th in the nation.
Nebraska Cornhuskers
It’s been a rough go for Hoiberg, who is entering year four with the Cornhuskers. He’s gone 28-70 in that span and is likely on the hot seat if he can’t produce some positive results soon.
Nebraska’s issues this season have mirrored that of Boston College, as it features a horrid offense. The Cornhuskers have no outside shooting threats, hitting just 30% of their 3-point attempts (290th nationally). They’ve also struggled from the charity stripe, shooting just 62% on freebies.
The offense has been reliant on snatching offensive rebounds at the 24th-highest rate. That’s led the group to hit 54% on its 2-point attempts.
The leading scorer this season is Derrick Walker, who put up 18 points in the last two contests since returning to the lineup from injury. In addition to Walker, the Cornhuskers have five other players who are averaging in double figures this season.
Nebraska’s defense has been solid, ranking 104th in defensive efficiency. The group can defend without fouling, ranking sixth in free throws allowed.
Boston College vs. Nebraska Betting Pick
This is an intriguing matchup between two programs who are projected to finish in the bottom-tier of their respective conferences. Both offenses have struggled to this point in the season, and that trend will likely continue in this matchup.
Both programs are hitting less than 30% from beyond the arc and have thrived at dominating inside the paint.
But that will come to an end in this matchup, as Boston College ranks 14th in the nation in block rate. Second-chance points will be limited, and we'll see plenty of one-and-done possessions.
In addition, both programs play at a snail’s pace. Nebraska ranks 287th in the nation in Tempo while Boston College ranks 177th.
Boston College's matchups have gone under the total in six straight games by an average margin of 12 points in each. In the last two matchups, the Eagles have kept their opponents under 50 points and have gone under the total by 26.5 points in each matchup.
Expect that trend to continue against Nebraska.
Pick: Under 130 (Play to 128) |
What is QuickSlip?
QuickSlip is an Action Network feature that allows users to automatically pre-load their bet slip at FanDuel Sportsbook.
How would you rate this article?