Buffalo (25-3) at Miami Ohio (15-13)
When: Friday, March 1st, 2019
Where: Millett Hall,
Miami, Ohio
Time: 8:00 ET | TV: CBS Sports Network
Opening Odds: Buffalo -10/152
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The Buffalo Bulls are having a dream season, but they don’t just want to be the MAC representative in the NCAA Tournament later this month – they want a deep run. The Bulls have three games left on the regular season schedule beginning with a Friday night battle at Miami (OH), as they attempt to clinch at least a tie in the Mid-American Conference Eastern Division. Buffalo has now won six-straight including a 77-64 win over Akron to improve to 13-0 at home. They are fifth in the country in scoring (85.4) behind the duo of CJ Massinburg and Nick Perkins, who are looking to extend their careers way into March. The senior duo recorded 48 points, 15 boards and eight assists against the Zips – the third time this season they each scored 20 or more points in the same game. Buffalo got some help from Miami when the Red Hawks defeated second-place (East) Bowling Green on Tuesday 82-69 on the road to give the Bulls their two-game cushion. Miami has been trading wins and losses for the last eight games, but are a solid 10-3 at home, but haven’t defeated a ranked team since 2001. Buffalo trails the all-time series 25-19, but have won 10 of the last 13 meetings.
Buffalo head coach Nate Oats was named one of the 15 candidates for the Naismith Coach of the Year Award and boasts the highest winning percentage (67.9) in school history. Massinburg and Perkins have combined for 3,512 points, 1,497 rebounds and 379 assists in their careers with Massinburg (1,858) 20th in MAC history in scoring. Sophomore Jayvon Graves was key in the win over Akron as well, recording 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three blocks. Buffalo will conclude their road schedule at Ohio on Tuesday.
Guard Nike Sibande recorded his seventh 20-point game of the season and 17th of his career against Bowling Green despite shooting below 41 percent from the field for the seventh straight outing. Sibande is 18.3 points and shooting over 50 percent in three career games against Buffalo. He is 52 points away from becoming the 35th member of the 1,000-point club for the program despite being only a sophomore. Miami is looking to break a fourth-place tie with Akron and improve on their MAC Tournament seeding.
Miami is really no match for Buffalo here even though they are playing at home. The Bulls are 12-3 away from home this season including 9-5-1 ATS and should have no trouble winning this game by double-digits.
Pick: Buffalo -8.5
Bulls are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 road games following three or more consecutive home games.
Bulls are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 Friday games.
Bulls are 19-9-1 ATS in their last 29 games following a straight up win.
Red Hawks are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Red Hawks are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Red Hawks are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Red Hawks are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 vs. Mid-American.
Red Hawks are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Red Hawks are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 4-0-2 in Bulls last 6 road games following three or more consecutive home games.
Over is 9-4 in Bulls last 13 Friday games.
Over is 74-34-1 in Bulls last 109 games following a ATS loss.
Over is 34-16-2 in Bulls last 52 road games.
Over is 4-1 in Red Hawks last 5 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Red Hawks last 5 home games.
Over is 4-1 in Red Hawks last 5 vs. Mid-American.
Under is 7-2 in Red Hawks last 9 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 5-2-1 in Red Hawks last 8 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 16-7 in Red Hawks last 23 games following a straight up win.
Under is 9-4 in Red Hawks last 13 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Home team is 5-0-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
Over is 13-4 in the last 17 meetings in Miami (OH).
