CBB Thursday trend plays: Ohio State surging after slump

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Throughout the college basketball season, we'll highlight the top betting trends and angles for the biggest games on the schedule. Here are some tips for Thursday's slate.

Air Force at No. 5 San Diego State (-17, 140)

Air Force is an incredible 1-12 against the spread in its last 13 games, which should make San Diego State an auto-play here. However, this line may prove too much. The Aztecs are 18-5 ATS when giving fewer than 17 points, compared to a brutal 0-5 ATS when they're favored by 17 or more. This spread is generous enough for the lowly Falcons.

Trend play: Air Force +17

California at No. 13 Oregon (-14.5, 131.5)

California's been on a bit of a run of late, though that can't erase the Golden Bears' lackluster 2-7 ATS road record, which includes just one outright win. Oregon has covered 10 of 15 at home with a perfect 15-0 straight-up record, and it's 4-2 ATS when favored by at least 14 points.

Trend play: Oregon -14.5

No. 23 Illinois at No. 19 Ohio State (-5.5, 132)

After falling out of the top 25, Ohio State is climbing back up the polls amid a 7-2-1 ATS run, which includes a 4-0-1 record at home. Illinois has been impressive on the road but stumbled offensively in big matchups, leading to a 6-1 under record against ranked Big Ten teams.

Trend play: Ohio State -5.5, under 132

Nebraska at No. 25 Michigan (-17, 149.5)

Nebraska has been an absolutely dreadful basketball team this year, but the Huskers are a surprising 7-3 ATS in road games and a perfect 3-0 ATS when getting at least 17 points. The Wolverines are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games as home favorites and haven't given this many points in Big Ten play.

Trend play: Nebraska +17

C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.