Western Kentucky at Wichita State

The Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky are a fine 22-8 S/U this season, but they have been like night-and-day at home and away. While they are now 16-1 S/U at home after their hard-fought 88-80 win over Kent State in the first round of this tournament, the Toppers are actually under .500 on the road at 6-7. Moreover, they have been just shredding money away from home, going a woeful 1-7 ATS in their last 8 road contests. They are also unfamiliar with this Wichita State arena, which is a distinct disadvantage as the Shockers usually dominate unsuspecting foes in front of their rowdy fans. In fact, Wichita is now 14-5 S/U vs. non-conference opponents in this building since the start of the 2002-2003 season, including 5-1 this season with the five victories coming by an average of 10.4 points. They really stepped it up vs. a team from a much stronger conference in the first round, easily handling Houston 85-69 - the same Houston team that had upset Louisville earlier in the year. I feel that this opponent is more in the Shockers league, so I foresee another easy double-digit victory. Three stars on the Shockers in a blowout.