Winthrop Eagles vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions Betting Odds

Opening Line: Arkansas-Pine Bluff -4 / Winthrop +4 O/U 113

Time: 7:30 PM EST Tuesday March 16, 2010 on ESPN

Tonight in the first game in the Big Dance in the play-in game the Winthrop Eagles face the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions. It is crazy that the Lions are in the play-in game, as they began the season 0-11, but ended up coming in 2nd place in the Southwest Athletic Conference and then won the conference tournament to give them a shot to get in the final 64.

It is also a little surprising that Winthrop is in the play in game, as the finished 3rd in the Big South conference, but ended up winning the conference tournament.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff has never played in the NCAA Tournament.

The winner of this game will have a tall task, as they will have to play top-seed Duke.

This season Winthrop is 2-2 ATS and Arkansas-Pine Bluff is 1-3 ATS.

In their last games Winthrop beat Coastal Carolina 64-53 in the finals of the Big South tourney and Arkansas-Pine Bluff beat Texas Southern 50-38 in the SWAC tourney.

Both of these teams rely on their defense, as each is not a high scoring team averaging around 63 ppg.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff is led by the backcourt guard duo of Terrance Calvin (10.4) and Savalance Townsend (10.2 ppg), who are the only 2 players for the Golden Lions that are averaging in double figures.

Winthrop only has one player averaging in double figures in G Reggie Middleton (10.3 ppg), but they have a more well-balanced offense with a center and a forward averaging at least 8 ppg.

Even though Winthrop does have a solid frontcourt they will really have to worry about the Golden Lions' F/C Lebaron Weathers (9.9 ppg 6.8 rpg), as if they can keep him off the boards they will be in great shape.

Betting Trends

Arkansas-Pine Bluff is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games.

Winthrop is 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 non-conference games, 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog of 0.5-6.5, and has an Under record of 6-1 in their last 7 games as an underdog.

Our Selection : Pass