CBB Sharp Report: Pros Betting Davidson-Rhode Island, 2 Other Friday Games

Betting isn't just about picking the right side. It's also about pouncing on the best number. Last night was a perfect example. Sharps hit two totals: Belmont Under (fell from 158.5 to 155.5) and Gonzaga Under (158.5 to 154).

The first game landed on 157 and the second on 156. This means early sharps cashed, but late bettors lost. Just like in life, timing is everything.

After analyzing Friday’s short 14-game slate using the betting tools available at Sports Insights and The Action Network, I’ve identified three games receiving sharp action from professional bettors, with start times of 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET.

Betting Terms to Know

Steam Move: Sudden, drastic and uniform line movement across the market caused by an overload of sharp action from respected players.

Reverse Line Movement: When the betting line moves in the opposite direction of the betting percentages. It’s a top smart money indicator.

Line Freeze: When one side is getting heavy betting, but the line won’t budge, indicating sharp liability on the other side.

Juice: The tax or commission that bettors must pay sportsbooks in order for them to accept your wager. A -115 juice means a bettor would have to wager $115 to win $100.

• Full Sports Betting Glossary 
• Sharp Betting 101: How to Track Professional Betting Action

Bowling Green @ Ohio

6:30 p.m. ET | CBS Sports Network

Sharp angle: Over (moved from 143.5 to 146)

Sharps and squares (casual bettors who bet for fun) are on the same side when it comes to this MAC over/under.

This total opened at 143.5. Currently 66% of bets and 69% of dollars are taking the over, indicating both public and sharp support.

Using our Sports Insights bet signals, we tracked a pair of steam and reverse line moves on the Over 143.5. This influx of heavy money from pro players created big liability for the books, forcing them to jack the total up to 146.

Columbia @ Pennsylvania

8 p.m. ET | ESPN+

Sharp angle: Columbia (moved from +9 to +7)

This looks like an Ivy League blowout at first glance. But sharps know games aren't played on paper.

Columbia sits at a putrid 6-16 and travels to face 15-9 Pennsylvania. This game opened at Penn -9. Nearly 60% of bettors are laying the points, expecting an easy cover for the home favorite with the far better record.

Not the pros. They've gotten down hard on the road dog.

We noticed a pair of steam and reverse line moves on Columbia at +9. This overload of sharp action forced oddsmakers to drop the line two full points toward Columbia.

Columbia is receiving only 43% of bets but 82% of dollars — further evidence of smart money in its favor.

Davidson @ Rhode Island

9 p.m. ET | ESPN2

Sharp angle: Rhode Island (moved from +2 to pick'em)

Rhode Island might be the sharpest play of the night for the wiseguys.

Davidson enters this A10 showdown with an impressive 19-7 record, while Rhode Island is a mediocre 12-13.

As a result, the public is rushing to the window to pound Davidson as a short road favorite.

However, despite receiving 86% of bets, Davidson has fallen from -2 to a pick'em. Why would the books move the line to make it easier for Average Joes to cash their Davidson tickets?

Because they got inundated with URI money from respected players.

Sharps hit URI at +2, +1.5 and +1, triggering a trio of steam and reverse line moves. The fact that Goodfellas kept pounding URI even though the line got worse signals supreme wiseguy confidence in the Rams.