Today's Free Picks for
Tenn-Martin @ ILLINOIS ST.
#613 Tenn-Martin +13 -106 over ILLINOIS ST.
BEST LINES: Pinnacle +13 -106 Bet365 +13 -110 SportsInteraction +13 -110 5DIMES +13 -110 Posted at 10:30 PM EST. 3:00 PM EST. When you consider the body of work of the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks so far this season, there are two possible conclusions. This is either the bet of the year so far or the sucker bet of the year so far but sucker bets are usually reserved for marquee match-ups that take plenty of action of which this one will not. We’ll therefore consider it a strong play. The Skyhawks enter at 8-2 and they have compiled a resume of victories at home and on the road that is worth mentioning. The Skyhawks have won their last three since being tarred at Kentucky by a score of 111-76 on November 25th. Still, scoring 76 on the #1 team in the country is worth something and the Skyhawks did that despite turning it over 17 times. The Skyhawks threatened Ole Miss on their own court to kick off the 2016-17 season. UTM lost by just a three-ball and could have easily won that game. Since that loss, its only other defeat was the aforementioned Kentucky loss. Tennessee-Martin remains undefeated against opponents that are not from a Power Conference (in this case their two losses are against teams from the SEC). The Skyhawks have victories over Duquesne and they also beat a Florida Atlantic team that knocked off Ohio State. Illinois State’s crown achievement so far is a home win against current #23 New Mexico. They also played TCU tough in a nine-point loss. Perhaps the market’s assessment of this contest is compelled by the Redbirds two games against quality competition, as there is no other explanation that could justify the points the Redbirds are spotting here. The Skyhawks are a better shooting team overall, they have a stronger bench and they even have an edge in the free-throw department, which could be key when taking back lumber like this. We also like that the Redbirds have played just seven games thus far while the Skyhawks have played 10 and are more battle tested. Illinois State should be weary of this Tennessee-Martin team, as they clearly have aspirations this year of playing in games of consequence come February and March and while the Redbirds have played a couple of decent teams, so, too, have the Skyhawks and they didn’t look out of place in any of them. Another big difference is we are getting massive points here. That is our prompt to step in. Open an account today at Pinnacle Sports and take advantage of their -104 style pricing on sides and totals, which is 60% better than other sportsbooks.
Our Pick
#613 Tenn-Martin +13 -106 (Risking 2.12 units - To Win: 2.00)
