O'Sullivan's Monday Ivy and ACC College Basketball Picks: Brown vs Colorado, St. Mary's vs Notre Dame
Seattle O’Sullivan 2021-2022 ACC season so far: 2-6, -$57.10
Seattle O’Sullivan 2021-2022 Ivy League season so far: 5-2 +$40.45
(Standing Caveat: The universe is chaotic. Life is unpredictable. Things happen. Like injuries. In following Seattle O’Sullivan’s betting advice, be advised that you should always monitor your bets during the day to make certain unforeseen things have not occurred which might change your wagering opinion. Thank you.)
Brown Bears at Colorado Buffaloes, 3:15 pm Eastern
The Pick: Colorado -11.5 (-120), bet $6 to win $5; over 134.5 points -110, bet $5.50 to win $5
As much as I’ve liked Brown over the past week or so, today is where I feel they get a dose of reality. The Buffaloes have a squad that rates near the top 50 in the nation. Colorado’s high-powered offense scores 83.6 points per game against the Bears’ 78.5 (both of which are high enough to make me like the over). I do think Brown has been playing a little bit over expectations, and today will represent a return to the norm.
Saint Mary’s Gaels at Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 11:30 pm Eastern
The Pick: Saint Mary’s +1.5 (-120), bet $12 to win $10; over 132.5 points (-106), bet $5.30 to win $5
I know it’s been a few years, but it’s still weird treating Notre Dame like they’re in the ACC. Whatever; that’s not why I’m picking against them today. I’m picking against them today because this is a classic example of a small program that’s good going up against a major-conference program that could definitely be overlooking them. I call it the “First TV Timeout Theory:” a major program plays against a team they think they’ll dominate, but when they sit on the bench during the first media timeout they’re surprised they’re down 13-6 and the coach goes, “Yeah, dudes. I told you these guys were good.” Saint Mary’s is only ranked eight spots below the Irish (44 vs. 36) in the Pomeroy rankings, but you can’t tell 18-year-old kids anything. Add in the fact this game is in Las Vegas, after being moved from Hawaii, and all that entails, and this game will be close. When it’s gonna be close, take the points. I like the over because in all their games thus far, both teams have scored enough to satisfy me that the total here is low.