La Salle Explorers vs Miami Hurricanes Point Spread Picks

La Salle is off to a fine start with a guard-heavy lineup that averages 76.2 points. Five guards lead the team in scoring, all averaging over eight points, anchored by junior Khalil Brantley (16.1 ppg) and senior Jhamir Brickus (15.6 ppg). They step up again to face the ACC after having been trounced by Duke, 95-66, last month. They're 27-12 OVER the total versus teams that shoot over 48%. Miami looks to get back on track after losing to Colorado surrendering 90 points despite being favored. They average 82.2 points shooting over 50% from the field with four players scoring in double figures. Miami is 15-6 OVER the total after playing three straight as chalk. Take La Salle/Miami OVER the total. 

Miami plays its first game away from home in this one. They have their first real test coming up next week with the Big Ten/ACC Challenge battle against Minnesota looming. The Hurricanes are awful from the charity stripe, connecting on just 50.8 percent of their free throws. Miami is also 0-11 ATS against teams making 77% or more of their free throws. Miami is also dealing with the loss of talented freshman guard Lonnie Walker to a left leg injury in Thursday's win over Florida A&M. Meanwhile, underdog La Salle has a winning record and will be just 45 miles from campus for this one, while Miami is 1,200 miles from home. La Salle has senior guard/forward B.J. Johnson (22.6 points, 9.6 rebounds per game), who has four consecutive 20-point games. He toyed with the idea of entering the NBA draft last spring but elected to return. Underdogs of 10 to 19.5 points off an upset loss by 15 points or more as a favorite are 139-76 ATS, plus all dogs of 10+ points off a loss by 15+ points as chalk are 150-84 ATS. Play La Salle.

La Salle is a dog at Miami, but has a winning record. They've won three of four with great balance on offense. Their balance is due to 6-11 junior center Steve Zack up front, along with guard Tyrone Garland (14.7 points per game) and 6-8 Jerrell Wright (13.5 ppg). Miami is on 1-5 ATS run, and are not playing well in any phase of the game, losing four of the last seven. This team shoots 41% from the field and averages 63.9 ppg (#325 in the nation). The Hurricanes are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games vs. a team with a winning record and 0-5 ATS in their last five home games. Play La Salle.