NCAA Hoops Odds and Picks: San Diego St. Aztecs at Air Force Falcons

Friday, February 17, 2012

by Joe Rodriguez

Jamaal Franklin - NCAA Hoops Odds and Picks: San Diego St. Aztecs at Air Force Falcons

After suffering consecutive losses for the first time in 80 games, No. 15 San Diego State Aztecs looks to rebound against last-place Air Force Falcons. San Diego State has lost three of its last five games after winning 11 straight.

The Aztecs could be without leading scorer and rebounder Jamaal Franklin, who is questionable with a sprained left ankle.

Air Force is 1-1 under interim coach Dave Pilipovich, who took over when Jeff Reynolds was fired last week. San Diego State has won eight straight against Air Force, including a 57-44 victory at Viejas Arena on Jan. 22.

- San Diego State Aztecs @ Air Force Falcons
When: 4:00 PM ET, Saturday, February 18, 2012
Where: Clune Arena, Colorado Springs, Colorado
TV: 4 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network
Check Live NCAA Basketball Odds on Justbet Sportsbook .

Justbet Sportsbook currently have the Aztecs listed as 4-point favorites versus the Falcons.

San Diego State Aztecs (20-5): The Aztecs' 77-67 loss to New Mexico on Wednesday dropped them into a tie with UNLV for second place, but they finish against the Mountain West's five weakest teams. Franklin is averaging 16 points and 7.2 rebounds, but he was using crutches and a protective boot Thursday. If Franklin is unable to play, Deshawn Stephens or Garrett Green would likely replace him in the starting lineup. The two have started a combined 18 games this season. Chase Tapley, who has averaged nine points in four career games against Air Force, ranks first in steals and third in scoring in the Mountain West.

Air Force Falcons (12-11): Michael Lyons scored a game-high 24 points for the second straight game and Air Force snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 58-53 win over Wyoming on Wednesday. Center Taylor Broekhuis had 16 points and seven rebounds in the Falcons' first game against San Diego State, and he could have another strong game against the undersized Aztecs. Air Force was 1 for 18 from 3-point range against the Aztecs, but the Falcons aren't giving up. "We're going to keep shooting those shots," said Pilipovich, whose team is shooting a conference-worst 29.4 percent from beyond the arc. The Falcons are averaging 61.9 points, which is worst in the MWC.

1. Air Force is 1-74 against ranked teams in program history. The lone victory came in 1992 over No. 21 Texas-El Paso.

2. The last three San Diego State wins at Air Force have been by double figures and by an average margin of 16 points.

3. The Aztecs have won 60 of their last 62 games against unranked opponents.

BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Aztecs 65, Falcons 53.

Bet on NCAA College Basketball games with Justbet Sportsbook , Bet now!

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air force falcons - chase tapley - clune arena - dave pilipovich - deshawn stephens - garrett green - jamaal franklin - jeff reynolds - michael lyons - san diego state aztecs

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