Cincinnati vs Notre Dame | Predictions

NCAA Basketball Free Pick – Wednesday, January 19, 2011

vs.

#25 Cincinnati Bearcats (16-2, 3-2 Big East) at #16 Notre Dame (14-4, 3-3 Big East)

Date/Time: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 7:00 PM EST
Venue: Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center in Notre Dame, IN.
Broadcast: ESPN2
Money Line: Cincinnati (+160) Notre Dame (-190)
Spread: Notre Dame -4
Over/Under: 135

Cincinnati took a tough loss against rival Syracuse, 67-52, last time out. The Bearcats fell behind early and cut the score heading into halftime down by four. Fourth-ranked Syracuse jumped out of the gate with a 16-0 run to start the second half to guarantee their unbeaten record was safe. Cincinnati nailed 9 of 19 3-pointers in the first half cut the 15 point deficit, then lost steam when they missed their first seven shots of the second , falling behind by  20. Rick Jackson led the Orangemen with 15 points and 11 rebounds, his 11th double double this year. Dion Dixon led Cincinnati with 18 points and all came on 3-pointers.

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The Bearcats had been a strong offensive presence before the stumble. They have averaged 72.4 points a game (111^th), with their high water scoring mark coming against St. Francis in a 94-58 blowout. Opponents have scored more than 69 points just once, when Utah Valley put 72 on the board. Rebounding has been a solid part of the Cincinnati game, grabbing 36.9 (104^th) per contest. They average 15.0 assists (62^nd) but have been a pit lost in the field, nailing just 43.7 in field goal percentage (174^th). Dion Dixon is the go to scorer with 12.8 ppg and .347 from three point land. Yancy Gates has contributed 11.4 ppg but a dismal 14.3 from 3-point range, but does shoot for a 49.2 percent on field goals.

As for Notre Dame, they fell to St. Johns 72-54, smothered by the defense and unable to mount a serious threat. It was the team’s second matchup in eight days, as Notre Dame beat SJU 76-61 last time out. Malik Boothe provided a force off the bench, scoring 14 points. St. John’s was in the driver’s seat at halftime 26-19, and never gave up the wheel, holding the Irish to a record low four field goals in the opening 20 minutes, while shooting 14 of 22 from the field. The Irish seem to have lost momentum, committing 20 turnovers in the game.

Notre Dame is a powerhouse in the paint, but has struggled as of late, losing two straight. Scoring stands at 75.7 ppg (51^st), grabbing 38.3 rebounds (53^rd) and moving the ball for 17.1 assists (16^th). They have eclipsed the 80-point mark eight times, while allowing 70 or more just five times.

Hansbrough has put 15.9 on the board while Abromaitis isn’t far behind with 15.5 ppg. Those may not be glaring totals, but the ability to move the ball and have a dual scoring punch has served the Irish well thus far.  Look for them to get back on track.

The odds makers have the Notre Dame Fighting Irish as a -4 point favorite with an over/under of 135.

Free Pick: Notre Dame

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Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Trends:

• Cincinnati is 7-16 SU in its last 23 games on the road
• The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Cincinnati’s last 8 games on the road

Notre Dame Fighting Irish Betting Trends:

• Notre Dame is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
• Notre Dame is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games
• The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Notre Dame’s last 6 games
• Notre Dame is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

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