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Tulane vs Cincinnati Odds, Lines, and Spread (Jan 1)

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in College Basketball

Updated Jan 1, 2022 · 12:30 AM PST

Mike Saunders brings the ball up court
Cincinnati's Mike Saunders drives during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
  • Cincinnati is a 10-point favorite over Tulane on Saturday (Jan. 1st) at 7 pm ET at Fifth Third Arena, in Cincinnati, OH
  • The under is 7-2 in the Bearcats’ last nine games
  • Read below for odds, analysis and a betting prediction

Now that the University of Cincinnati’s football team is eliminated from the National Championship conversation, the attention in that city can turn to the school’s hoops program.

The Bearcats are off to a 10-3 start and will open their conference play schedule on Saturday (January 1st), at home versus Tulane.

Tulane vs Cincinnati Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Total
Tulane Green Wave OFF +10 (-105) O 133.5 (-110)
Cincinnati Bearcats OFF -10 (-115) U 133.5 (-110)

Odds as of Dec. 31st at FanDuel.

Cincinnati opened up as a 10-point favorite, in a game that features a total of 133.5. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm ET at Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati, OH, with ESPN+ providing the coverage.

Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Analysis

The Bearcats last scheduled game was wiped out due to a COVID outbreak within the Houston Cougars program, giving them an extra few days rest. Their last outing came 11 days ago versus Tennessee Tech, in a contest they won 76-67.

Mika Adams-Woods led the way with 11 points, while Jeremiah Davenport also slashed 11 and chipped in 7 boards. The victory was Cincinnati’s third straight overall, and fourth in a row at home.

Despite the favorable result, the Bearcats were outplayed in most areas. They shot only 44.3% from the field, and just 25% from three. They lost the assist battle by two, yielded a 48.1% shooting percentage, and allowed the Golden Eagles to knock down over 41% of their triples.

The big difference however, was on the glass and in the turnover department. Cincinnati outrebounded its opponent by five, and pulled down 13 offensive rebounds which led to a bevy of second chance points. They also committed seven fewer turnovers, and were more efficient from the free throw line.

The strong rebounding numbers are nothing new for the Bearcats, as they are one of the best teams on the glass in the country. They rank 40th in total rebounding, and only 10 programs average more offensive rebounds per game.

Cincinnati also does a fantastic job protecting the ball, committing the 14th fewest turnovers in the nation. Those two areas help cover up the fact that the Bearcats are not a great shooting team. They average 70.9 points per night, and rank 250th in effective field goal percentage.

Defense is their calling card, last game notwithstanding. They rank 25th in the country in scoring defense, and fifth in opponent effective field goal percentage. They’re equally as strong defending two’s as three’s, ranking 15th and seventh respectively in those two categories.

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Tulane Green Wave Betting Analysis

The Green Wave meanwhile, enter play fresh off an upset victory over Memphis in their conference opener. They edged out the Tigers 85-84 on Wednesday, led by Jalen Cook’s 25 points.

It was Tulane’s first outing since early December, after three straight games were cancelled due to COVID issues within the program.

Kevin Cross splashed 15 points versus Memphis, while Sion James added 14. The Green Wave shot a blistering 55% from the field, and 45.5% from three. They needed to be incredibly efficient shooting the ball to stay in the game, as they were dominated on the boards. Tulane was outrebounded 40-20 by the Tigers, which doesn’t bode well with a date versus Cincinnati on deck.

They coughed up 17 offensive boards to Memphis, and allowed the Tigers to shoot 45% from three. Strong offense and weak defense is nothing new for the Green Wave, as they rank 96th in points per game, but 259th in scoring defense, and 325th in total rebounding.

Tulane vs Cincinnati Pick

Both Tulane and Cincinnati play at a slow pace, which should help keep this game low scoring. The Green Wave rank 209th in tempo and 135th in average possession length, while the Bearcats rank 245th and 185th in those two categories.

Cincy’s elite defense has led to the under dominating in their recent outings, and that’s where I’d look if betting this game. The under is 7-2 in the Bearcats’ last nine contests, and despite Tulane’s respectable offensive efficiency so far, they’ll have a hard time replicating that success on Saturday.

Pick: Under 133.5 (-110)

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