The Alabama Crimson Tide are the class of the SEC, but they are only 16-10-1 against the spread.
That is still a solid mark, but it suggests that the Crimson Tide are not an automatic bet, especially when they travel in SEC play.
Nate Oats' team is a 17-point favorite for Wednesday's trip to South Carolina, and while the Tide could beat the Gamecocks by 18 points or more, they have not produced that big of victories away from home.
The ACC will also come into focus on Wednesday with two potentially high-scoring games. The ACC as a whole has not been an elite conference, but there have still been some exciting games, and that trend could continue in South Bend and Raleigh.
Wednesday CBB Picks
Overall Record: 138-138-7
Charleston Southern at UNC Asheville (-10) (6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
UNC Asheville produced a 10-point win in its first meeting with Charleston Southern.
The Big South leader won its last three home games by at least seven points. Two of those were double-digit victories.
Charleston Southern lost three of its last four contests by double figures. All of those results came against teams at .500 or better in the Big South.
Southern Miss (-1.5) at Old Dominion (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Southern Miss received a wake-up call last week in the form of a 31-point road loss to South Alabama.
I think the Golden Eagles will be far better prepared for Wednesday's trip to Old Dominion.
The big difference between the two teams is two-point offense, where Southern Miss ranks 70th on KenPom and ODU sits 313th.
Bradley (-8.5) at Valparaiso (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Bradley can't afford a slip-up in its fight with Drake to land the top seed in the Missouri Valley conference tournament.
The Braves won six of their last seven games by at least eight points. They concede 12 fewer points per game than Valpo. Defense will once again be the difference maker for Bradley.
Austin Peay at Stetson (-10.5) (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Austin Peay has not reached the 70-point mark in each of its last four road games. It failed to hit the 60-point mark three times.
That is the absolute worst stat you want to own heading into a road matchup against a Stetson team that averages 76.3 points per game.
The Hatters produced at least 75 points in each of their last five home games. If the trends hold, the Hatters should cruise to a double-digit victory.
USC Upstate (-2) at Presbyterian (7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Presbyterian does not have a win since December 29.
The Blue Hose suffered four of their 15 conference losses by two points or less.
While that may scare away some bettors, I'm more than willing to bet on USC Upstate, who has more road wins in the Big South than Presbyterian has in conference play.
Troy (-5) at UL Monroe (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
UL Monroe has not won since February 2 and it failed to reach 70 points during its five-game losing streak.
Troy obliterated the WarHawks by 24 points in their first meeting and the Trojans average over five points more per game on offense.
It is very easy to ride with Troy, who are playing for seeding in the Sun Belt tournament. A win and an Old Dominion loss would put the Trojans in sole possession of fifth place.
North Carolina at Notre Dame (Over 148) (9 p.m. ET, ESPN)
North Carolina and Notre Dame both give up over 72 points per game.
The Tar Heels need to avoid a bad loss on the road as they hold on to NCAA tournament hopes, and they should attack an average Notre Dame defense from the start.
Notre Dame ranks 65th in three-point offense on KenPom. The Irish can score, but they can't defend that well, and that is the difference between being an upset threat and just helping the over hit.
Wake Forest at NC State (Over 156.5) (9 p.m. ET, ACC Network)
Wake Forest is 18-8 to the over this season, while NC State is 14-14 to the over.
The Demon Deacons and Wolfpack combined for 156 points in their first meeting on January 28.
Both teams average over 78 points per game and shoot better than 45 percent from the field, so we should plenty of offensive fireworks in Raleigh.
Alabama at South Carolina (+17) (9 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
Alabama has one win over 17 points on the road in the SEC.
The Crimson Tide are the much better team than South Carolina, but they have not been blowing out teams away from Tuscaloosa.
I'll take the chance with the trend backing South Carolina, who has some confidence right now after winning twice in the last three games.