3* NCAAB SMASH

Texas-Arlington vs. Kent State, 12/21/2011 19:30 EDT, Score: 74 - 73

Point Spread: +6½/-110 Texas-Arlington

Sportsbook: DSI

Result: Win

3* NCAAB SMASH on UT Arlington +6.5
Arlington isn't quite getting the respect it deserves from odds makers in tonight's neutral floor battle. This experienced team, which returns 4 starters, played 6th-ranked Baylor to a 10-point game on the road and did so while only shooting 35.4% from the floor.

Having played teams like Baylor and Texas, the Mavericks won't be intimidated in the least this evening.

Kent State has been overvalued all season. It has been favored in each of its last 7 games but has covered the spread just twice in those contests. The Golden Flashes aren't a high-scoring team. They only average 68.0 ppg. With this in mind, I like the high-scoring Mavs, who average 77.3 ppg, to give Kent State a game.

Plays against neutral court teams (Kent State in this case) that have gone under the total by 42 or more points total in their last seven games, with a winning record on the season playing a losing team, are 39-13 ATS since 1997. Teams in this situation are only winning by an average of 3.1 points.

In addition, the Mavericks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 non-conference games and 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games as an underdog. Take the points.