Wake up with VSiN Daily Morning Bets, a quick 15-minute podcast posted at 7 a.m. ET highlighting the top games and biggest line moves of the day. For a full breakdown of Friday's betting action be sure to catch the VSiN Market Insights Podcast at 3 p.m. ET.
In the meantime, let's examine where smart money is leaning for Friday's College Basketball slate...
7 p.m. ET: VCU at Saint Louis (-3, 141.5)
VCU (17-6) has won seven of their last eight games and just edged Davidson 61-59 but failed to cover as 3.5-point road favorites. Meanwhile, Saint Louis (15-7) just saw their six-game winning streak come to end, falling to Fordham 75-65 and losing outright as 4-point road favorites. This line opened with Saint Louis listed as a 2.5-point home favorite. Respected money has laid the chalk with Saint Louis, driving the Billikens up from -2.5 to -3. Some shops are inching up to -3.5. Saint Louis is receiving 79% of bets but 94% of money, signaling both public and sharp support in their favor. Ken Pom has Saint Louis winning by three points (69-66). Saint Louis is -150 on the moneyline. Atlantic 10 home favorites are 35-13 (73%) straight up in conference play. Saint Louis holds the edge on offense (76 PPG vs 70 PPG) and rebounding (40 RPG vs 33 RPG). Saint Louis is 10-2 at home this season.
8 p.m. ET: Canisius at Niagara (-4.5, 131.5)
Canisius (5-15) has dropped three straight games and just fell to Manhattan 81-74 in overtime, losing outright as 4.5-point home favorites. On the flip side, Niagara (11-9) has won two straight games and just beat Manhattan 68-62, covering as 5.5-point home favorites. This line opened with Niagara listed as a 4-point home favorite. Sharps have laid the chalk, steaming Niagara up from -4 to -4.5. Short conference homes favorites -5 or less with a line move in their favor are 94-76 ATS (55%) this season. Ken Pom has Niagara winning by five points (68-63). He also has Niagara ranked higher (243 vs 283). Niagara has the better defense (65 PPG allowed vs 74 PPG allowed) and better shooting (45% vs 41%). Niagara is 6-5 in conference play. Canisius is 3-8. Niagara is 6-2 at home. Canisius is 2-9 on the road. Niagara is -185 on the moneyline.
9 p.m. ET: Boise State at San Diego State (-6.5, 133.5)
Boise State (18-5) has won three straight games and just beat Air Force 59-52 but failed to cover as 8-point road favorites. Meanwhile, San Diego State (17-5, ranked 22nd) just saw their four game winning streak come to an end, falling to Nevada 75-66 and losing outright as 3-point road favorites. This line opened with San Diego State listed as a 7-point home favorite. Pros seem to think this line is a bit high and have grabbed the points with Boise State, dropping the line from 7 to 6.5. Some shops are even inching down to 6. Boise State has buy-low value as an unranked conference dog against a sell-high ranked opponent. Ken Pom has San Diego State winning by three points (69-66), which provides an actionable edge to Boise State plus the points. Ken Pom actually has Boise State ranked higher than San Diego State (25th vs 28th). Boise State has the edge on defense (61 PPG allowed vs 66 PPG allowed).