For the fifth straight year, Old Dominion and James Madison basketball teams will take on each other, as the Dukes host the Monarchs at Atlantic Union Bank Center in Harrisonburg, Virginia, on Monday, December 7.
Last season, the Dukes narrowly defeated the Monarchs 80-78 as 11.5-point road underdogs, outlasting the Monarchs for the first time in four years. I bring you the best betting picks and tips for Mondayโs clash in Harrisonburg, so letโs take a closer look.
The Monarchs eye their third straight win
After an 85-67 defeat at the Maryland Terrapins in the opener, the Old Dominion Monarchs have recorded two straight wins over the William & Mary Tribe 86-78 at home and the Norfolk State Spartans 80-66 on the road.
Last time out, the Monarchs dominated the Spartans, allowing them to score only five points in the last six minutes of the second half. Old Dominion posted 11 offensive rebounds and shot 23-for-27 from the charity stripe which were key factors in its comfortable victory.
The Monarchs are No. 104 in the latest KenPom rankings. They are 97th in the country in points scored per 100 possessions (102.6) and 110th in points allowed per 100 possessions (96.0). Last year, the Monarchs went 13-19 overall and 9-9 in the conference play, finishing as the No. 173 in the NCAA NET Rankings.
The Dukes take the floor for the first time in December
The James Madison Dukes are 2-1 on the season, but their previous two games against Maryland and George Mason were canceled due to the positive COVID-19 tests within the Dukes. Therefore, James Madison hasnโt taken the floor since a 67-59 home victory over the Radford Highlanders on November 29.
The Dukes opened the 2020-21 college basketball season with a convincing 89-55 victory to the Limestone Saints. After that, the Dukes suffered an 83-73 defeat to the Norfolk State Spartans as 4.5-point home favorites.
Last year, the Dukes went 9-21 overall and only 2-16 in the conference play, finishing bottom of the CAA standings. They are No. 274 in the latest KenPom rankings, as the Dukes are scoring 96.6 points per 100 possessions this term (221st in the nation) while surrendering 105.8 in a return (321st).
Trends:
Old Dominion:
- 3-1 ATS in the last four games against James Madison
James Madison:
- 3-13-2 ATS in the last 18 games overall
- 2-9 ATS in the last 11 home contests
[metabet_core_odds_compare query=”ncaab/james_madison” size=”300×250″ site_id=”atsio” css=”float:right; margin-left:10px”]The Winner Prediction
The Monarchs should open as slight favorites around a few points, but keep tracking the odds update on DraftKings. The visitors are a better team than the Dukes, as the KenPom rankings indicate nicely, so I expect them to cover.
Furthermore, the hosts are in trouble due to the COVID-19 crisis and lack of practice. Their previous two games were canceled, so I think the Dukes wonโt be sharp enough for Mondayโs clash.
Finally, both teams played Norfolk State in November. While the Dukes suffered a loss at home, the Monarchs had no problems beating the Spartans on the road.
Pick: Take Old Dominion -7.5
The Total:
The Dukesโ defense is one of the worst in the country, though itโs early in the season to jump to conclusions. Still, the numbers donโt lie, and the hosts will have a tall task to cope with the Monarchsโ offense.
Still, Old Dominionโs defense is far away from the best in the country. The Monarchs have some flaws, and I donโt see them shutting down the Dukes completely. Therefore, Iโm betting on the over.
Six of the Monarchsโ last seven road contests went in the over, as well as two of the Dukesโ previous three games at home.
Pick: Go overย 146