We've compiled a list of teams who have trouble covering the spread.

Top-10 Ranked NCAAB Teams You Should Avoid ATS

Written by on February 4, 2016

It has been a season of plain craziness in the college basketball lines, and not even the top ranked teams in the nation have been spared from the barrage on the hardwood. In this NCAAB betting update, we take a sweeping look at some of the top 10 basketball programs in the nation that you should be wary of in the spread betting college basketball picks and predictions.

Top 10 Ranked NCAAB Teams You Should Avoid Against the Spread

No. 3 Villanova (18-3 SU, 10-10 ATS)

The Super Nova Wildcats have been an absolute wrecking ball in the SU lines, sporting just three losses on the season so far. The same can, however, not be said about their funky ATS record. For instance, on Wednesday night, the No.1-seed bound Wildcats (18-3) will be playing against Creighton (14-8), a game they are highly likely to win. But when you compare the ATS records for the two conference foes, the Wildcats are just 0-5 ATS (and 4-1 SU) in their last five games, while the BlueJays are 3-2 ATS (and 2-3 SU) in the same stretch of games. The season numbers for the two teams also have the Wildcats at just 10-10 ATS on the season, while the BlueJays are impressively 13-8 ATS this year. So, tell me, do you really think that the Villanova is worth the salt in the ATS lines today, or even in the remaining stretch of the season?

No. 9 Virginia Cavaliers (17-4 SU, 8-11 ATS)

The Cavaliers finally look like a team that is finding its identity in the NCAAB lines, bragging of four straight up wins ahead of their clash against Boston College. Unfortunately for the Cavs, covering the spread has been a big issue, no wonder they’ve only gone 1-3 ATS in their recent four-game win streak (4-0 SU). Their record in the last 10 overall games (5-5 SU, 4-6 ATS) further asserts Virginia’s struggles in the ATS lines. So, whereas Virginia is likely to continue riding on its stellar defense to win close games, smart betting would suggest that you stay away from the Cavs (17-4 / 8-11 ATS) in the ATS lines.

No. 2 North Carolina Tar Heels (19-3 SU, 8-12-2 ATS)

Surprise, Surprise! Yes, the Tar Heels own our title for the most struggling top-10 team in ATS college basketball odds. When you are the #2 team in a country that has over 100 teams, an 8-12-2 ATS mark is utterly unacceptable. There isn’t so many ways to slice it; the bottom line here is that the Tar Heels are really bad at covering the spread, and after they lost to Louisville on Monday (both on the SU and ATS lines), I am actually starting to doubt if this highly-praised UNC team will be able to stand the test of time in the NCAA Tournament to reach the National Championship game, as they are pegged to do by many. Heck, if they lose one more conference game, Louisville (18-4) will have an equal record with them in the ACC, giving the Cardinals a chance to snatch away the ACC title from UNC’s hands. All that is, however, circumstantial; here’s what you need to note from now onwards—if you see UNC’s name, go against them in the ATS lines, until the point they’ll start to prove themselves trustworthy.

Just Missed the Cut

• No. 5 Iowa Hawkeyes (17-4 SU, 12-8 ATS) • No. 7 Kansas Jayhawks (17-4 SU, 11-8 ATS) • No. 3 Maryland Terrapins (19-3 SU, 11-10-1 ATS)