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 Wednesday'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 Wednesday's College Basketball slate...
7 p.m. ET: Iowa State at West Virginia (-3, 135.5)
Iowa State (16-6, ranked 11th) just snapped a two-game losing skid with a 68-53 win over Kansas, winning outright as 1.5-point home dogs. Meanwhile, West Virginia (14-9) has won three of their last four games and just crushed Oklahoma 93-61, easily covering as 6-point home favorites. This line opened with West Virginia listed as a 2.5-point home favorite. Right off the bat, this opening line speaks volumes. Shouldn't Iowa State be favored due to their superior record and ranking? If it looks fishy, there is almost always a reason for it. We've seen West Virginia move from -2.5 to -3, with some shops even inching up to -3.5. This signals pro money laying the points with the home team. Unranked home favorites against ranked opponents are 23-10 ATS (70%) this season. West Virginia is receiving 58% of bets but 81% of money, a sharp bet discrepancy in their favor. Ken Pom has West Virginia winning by three points (69-66). Believe it or not, he also has West Virginia ranked higher (15th vs 18th). West Virginia is 10-3 at home. Iowa State is 2-5 on the road. The Mountaineers are -150 on the moneyline. Big 12 home favorites are 31-12 (72%) straight up in conference play.
10 p.m. ET: San Diego State at Utah State (-1.5, 145)
San Diego State (18-5, ranked 25th) has won five of their last six games and just crushed Boise State 72-52, easily covering as 7-point home favorites. Similarly, Utah State (19-5) has won five of their last six games and just took down Colorado State 88-79, covering as 4.5-point road favorites. This line opened as low as a pick'em across the market. Sharps have sided with the home team, driving Utah State up to a 1.5-point home favorite. Utah State is receiving 71% of bets but 93% of money, a sharp bet discrepancy in the favor. Utah State also has fishy value as an unranked home favorite against a ranked opponent (23-10 ATS, 70% this season). Ken Pom has Utah State winning by one point (76-75). Mountain West home favorites are 33-10 (77%) straight up in conference play. Utah State is 11-1 at home. Utah State has the advantage on offense (80 PPG vs 75 PPG) and in the shooting department (49% vs 46%). Pros have also hit the under, dropping the total from 148 to 145. The under is receiving 59% of bets but 80% of money, a notable sharp discrepancy. Both teams rank on the slower end in terms of tempo.