The No. 20 FAU Owls (21-1, 11-0 C-USA) and UAB Blazers (15-7, 6-5) meet Thursday at Bartow Arena in Birmingham, Ala. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the FAU vs. UAB game odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
The Owls have rattled off 20 consecutive wins dating back to their only loss at Ole Miss back on Nov. 11. FAU has also won 8 straight games away from home, going 7-1 against the spread (ATS) during the span. The Owls have alternated the Under and Over in each of the past 5 contests.
The Blazers are looking to avenge an 88-86 loss in Boca Raton against the Owls in the first meeting on Jan. 5 as the Over (150.5) easily connected. UAB has topped Rice and Louisiana Tech in the past 2 games, rebounding after a 1-5 skid from Jan. 5-21.
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FAU at UAB odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:22 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): FAU -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | UAB -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): FAU +1.5 (-115) | UAB -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 146.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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FAU at UAB picks and predictions
Prediction
UAB 77, FAU 75
Moneyline
UAB (-125) is worth playing on the money line as it looks to protect its home floor. The Blazers had a narrow loss against the Owls in the first meeting, tying FAU’s most narrow victory during the 20-game win streak.
FAU has been getting it done and playing consistent basketball, so it won’t get blown out. However, the ranked Owls will see their win streak end in Birmingham against a good Blazers team, and that’s OK.
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Against the spread
UAB -1.5 (-105) is worth a roll of the dice at nearly even money as it simply needs to win by a bucket.
This is a good bet unless you feel FAU is going to keep its win streak alive or you believe the Blazers will only win by 1 point.
The favorite is 6-2-1 ATS in the past 9 meetings, and the home team has cashed at a 12-3-1 ATS clip across the past 16 in this series.
Over/Under
OVER 147.5 (-110) is the best play in this Conference USA tilt.
The Over has hit at a 3-1-1 clip in the past 5 games against winning teams for UAB while going 19-7-1 in the past 27 games at home.
The Over is 3-1-1 in the past 5 against winning teams for FAU, too, and it has cashed at a 5-1 clip in its last 6 games following a non-cover.
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