UAB To Edge Florida Atlantic In Surprise Thursday

Chris Wassel
By , Updated on: Feb 7, 2024 07:00 PM
UAB To Edge Florida Atlantic In Surprise Thursday

The first full week of February moves to Thursday as the college basketball heat gets a little hotter! Teams keep battling themselves and their opponents almost equally. Guess what this means? That's correct. Let's head down to Alabama. At Online Sports Betting, it rolls into this exciting AAC matchup. So, first, we look at Florida Atlantic vs UAB Bets featuring the Florida Atlantic Owls. They go on the road to UAB to face the Blazers on their home court.

  • WHAT: Florida Atlantic Owls versus UAB Blazers
  • WHEN: Monday, February 8th, 2024, 9:00 pm ET on ESPN2 and streamed on ESPN+
  • WHERE: Bartow Arena, Birmingham, Alabama
  • WHY: AAC Thursday Matchup 

The bettors develop a little awkwardness with games like this sometimes. The Florida Atlantic vs UAB Bets see the Owls as a not very strong favorite on Thursday night. Now, betting on NCAA College Men's basketball futures is wild. Okay, Florida Atlantic keeps fanning out at +6000. UAB is now at +3000. Anyway, here are some AAC numbers, courtesy of Bovada Online Sportsbook.

NCAAM AAC Thursday NumbersBovadaBetOnlineMyBookie
Florida Atlantic (-4.5)-110-110-110
UAB-110-110-110

Florida Atlantic vs UAB Bets Hesitant About The Owls

Florida Atlantic vs UAB Bets are hesitant about the Owls. So, the Owls have rattled off seven straight wins. Despite this, there lies this aura of doubt over the 20th-ranked Florida Atlantic squad. With a few close matchups on the road, there is definitely some concern. Tulsa is not a good team but North Texas has proven tough for everyone in the AAC this season. Still, that win at home was dicey (66-63).

In addition, Florida Atlantic had their moments of doubt against UAB. That first meeting showed the Blazers that they could play with the Owls at times. The problem was that first half. It was ugly. When UAB managed a meager 24 points, the game was over. Once they started to pick up the pace, Florida Atlantic had some trouble. UAB got the game into single digits in the second half before the Owls pulled away very late.

Let us try to take on this Thursday night contest. Can the Blazers find a way to take down the Owls or at least cover? Some experts seem to be keen on UAB.

A Dash Of The Blazers

The Florida Atlantic vs UAB Bets like a dash of the Blazers. Andy Kennedy has quite a nice little team at UAB. Their defense may be questionable on the road in particular. However, it has been better at home. Bettors moved the line out a little more for Florida Atlantic. However, the line did settle as Thursday morning approached. It has now come back to 4.5 points. That concerned us a bit at Online Sports Betting. However, we take it on anyway.

The one thing we have learned about college basketball this season is one just never knows. If anyone watched the other night. North Carolina by all rights should have easily defeated Clemson at home. They handled the Tigers at Clemson earlier in the season. The Tar Heels just beat Duke on Saturday. Guess what? Carolina lost a close one at home to Clemson. Just like that the aura of invincibility vanished.

Those are more reasons to get behind UAB at least a little bit. Again, the Blazers shot 52% in the second half against the Owls in the first meeting. Furthermore, this is a Blazers team that can get close to 80 points at home. Do not sleep on them. The thought process is the Owls may look ahead a bit. The rest of the AAC schedule for the Owls is not that difficult. Could they get caught napping here?

Again, you will not see any Top 100 GSCI players between the two teams. If there is one matchup which ranks highly, it is the front courts. Vladislav Goldin against Yaxel Lendeborg and Javian Davis could be lots of fun here. Lendeborg and Davis have improved from the first meeting and could rack up quite a few offensive boards. Therefore, that would set up more offensive opportunities, especially early on. Now, this may prove to be more vital to UAB, their start, and their chances.

Florida Atlantic vs UAB Picks Getting 4.5 Points?

So, what about Florida Atlantic vs UAB Picks getting 4.5 points? The thought process here is again the revenge factor and the Blazers trying to get in position. What position is that? A NCAA Tournament spot becomes a possibility with a signature home win like this. Naturally, the balance UAB displays (five players in double figures) cannot hurt here. Actually, this proves to be quite an asset. The Blazers have more scoring threats. It comes down to what happens early on.

Florida Atlantic likes to play at a high pace. Also, the Owls want to push the basketball up and down the court. However, they again do not perform defensively as well on the road. That has to be something which UAB needs to take advantage of. Fortunately, UAB has not lost at home since December 1st. They do come off a narrow loss on the road at SMU. It is a defeat that should sting.

Simply, the cover is there. However, we go a step further and take UAB in the upset.

UAB Blazers To win outright over Florida Atlantic
+150
Bovada

Race To X Time?

Finally, Florida Atlantic vs UAB Bets looks at "Race To X" time. This game features an Under of 157. Honestly, the books have this pegged pretty good. Let us take a shot at UAB going first to 25 at +125 in the opening half. UAB should get off to the reverse start and might slow down the Owls a little on Thursday.

UAB To score 25 points in the first half first
+125
Bovada

Online Sportsbook Reviews Are Here

Now, Thursday night is pretty solid. Lastly, online sportsbook reviews are here and the conference games only get more and more intense.

Meet the author

Chris Wassel

Chris Wassel is a veteran sports writer with over 20 years of experience publishing thoughtful analysis and insightful perspectives on everything from hockey to basketball, football, and more. As a seasoned journalist, Chris has established himself as a leading voice o...

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