It's Saturday, and that means we're back with another edition of our Action Network college basketball content. Our proprietary model will help focus in and find edges to bring you our college basketball picks.
With that in mind, here's two "Tickle the Twine" total bets for Saturday, February 7.
You can find all of our picks daily in the free Action Network app:
Eastern Michigan vs. App State
While App State plays a disciplined style at home (scoring 67.3 points and allowing 62.2 points per game), the pace is likely to be pushed by an Eastern Michigan squad that's consistently involved in higher-scoring affairs on the road.
The Eagles average 66.5 points an evening on the road, but they surrender a generous 76.6 points defensively, creating plenty of opportunities for the Mountaineers to exceed their seasonal scoring averages.
Also, Eastern Michigan has Addison Patterson, who's averaging 13 points per game and is entering this matchup on an impressive 11-game streak scoring in double figures.
Our model projects this total at 133.5, and there's substantial evidence that this game will easily clear the current mark, making the over a high-conviction play.
Pick: Over 127.5
Oklahoma State vs. Arizona
Oklahoma State visits Arizona in a clash between a fast-paced Cowboys offense and the Wildcats' lockdown defense.
The Cowboys play quick (13th-fastest adjusted tempo, per KenPom) and have had success doing so at home, averaging 90 points per game. However, they haven’t been able to replicate that success on the road, where they're averaging just 78 points a night.
Arizona’s elite defense (second in the country in adjusted efficiency, per KenPom) will attempt to force a continuation of Oklahoma State’s road woes, as it's held opponents to 65 points per game at the McKale Center (second nationally).
It’s also worth calling out that Arizona’s height (seventh nationally, via KenPom) could be a large factor in keeping Oklahoma State (159th in height) off the offensive glass, which will limit the Cowboys’ scoring opportunities.
Our model projects the total at 163, providing a comfortable cushion below the current line.
Pick: Under 169.5
