15* CBB Friday No-Doubt Rout on Butler -1.5

Saint Louis vs. Butler, 02/22/2013 19:00 EDT, Score: 65 - 61

Point Spread: -2½/-110 Butler

Sportsbook: WilliamHill

Result: Loss

The Butler Bulldogs should be a much bigger favorite tonight over the Saint Louis Billikens. The 15th-ranked Bulldogs can clear a big hurdle by assuming sole possession of first place with a win over surging conference leader Saint Louis on Friday night.

Butler (22-5, 9-3) has endured injuries to its three leading scorers in its first A-10 season but trails the Billikens (20-5, 9-2) by only one-half game. Now healthy, and out for revenge from an ugly 58-75 loss at Saint Louis on January 31st in their first meeting of the season, I look for the Bulldogs to roll at home tonight.

The Bulldogs are a sensational 13-1 at Hinkle Fieldhouse this season, which includes wins over the likes of Gonzaga and Temple. They also beat No. 1 Indiana on a neutral court earlier this season. They are outscoring opponents by a whopping 13.5 points/game at home this year.

Butler is 37-21 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons. The Bulldogs are 10-2 ATS versus teams who are called for 17 or less fouls/game this season. Butler is 10-3 ATS 10-3 ATS versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 4+ points/game this season. Jim Crews is 4-16 ATS in road games versus good defensive teams - shooting pct defense of