College Basketball Early Line Moves For Thursday (2/26/2026)
(Updated 2/26 at 7:30am EST)
Michigan State @ Purdue
Open: Purdue -5.5
Current: Purdue -7
Move: 1.5 Points ➡️ Purdue
Key Read: Early action appears to be hitting Purdue, bumping this line 1.5 points from the opening number. Purdue’s only losses at Mackey Arena this season have come against teams ranking within the top 10 in KenPom's power rankings (Michigan, Illinois, Iowa State). Michigan State has lost its last two road games (Wisconsin & Minnesota). Purdue has a notable offensive edge in this matchup, ranking 2nd in adjusted offensive efficiency, compared to Michigan State’s 42nd-ranked offense. Michigan State's turnover issues (17.5% turnover rate, 235th nationally) are concerning on the road at Mackey Arena.
Northern Colorado @ Eastern Washington
Open: Northern Colorado -1
Current: Northern Colorado +1
Move: 2 Points ➡️ Eastern Washington
Key Read: Northern Colorado opened as a -1 favorite but has since flipped to the underdog. Early money has come in on Eastern Washington, which rides a 6-game win streak heading into this game. Both teams grade out relatively close in offensive and defensive efficiency, making this a matchup of two middling units. Northern Colorado is one of the best defensive rebounding teams in the nation (4th), making it very difficult for opponents to get second-chance scoring opportunities. Eastern Washington’s strength is three-point shooting (top 50 in the nation), but Northern Colorado ranks just outside the top 50 nationally in defending the perimeter. We have this game graded as a true 50-50 pick em’. We will monitor how far the Northern Colorado line moves and consider a bet on the underdog if this number inflates toward a full possession.
Liberty @ Kennesaw State
Open: Liberty -2.5
Current: Liberty -1.5
Move: 1 Point ➡️ Kennesaw State
Key Read: Kennesaw State is catching some early respected action, with the market reacting by dropping this line a point toward the home underdogs. Despite holding an impressive 23-4 record, Liberty is one of the worst rebounding teams in the nation and leaves a lot to be desired on defense (223rd). Liberty ranks 2nd in effective field goal percentage, 5th in three-point percentage, and 6th in 2-point percentage. In comparison, Kennesaw State ranks outside the top 200 in all three of those offensive metrics. Kennesaw State needs the win significantly more, but at current prices, we will stay away from betting this game.
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Michigan State @ Purdue
Open: Purdue -5.5
Current: Purdue -7
Move: 1.5 Points ➡️ Purdue
Key Read: Early action appears to be hitting Purdue, bumping this line 1.5 points from the opening number. Purdue’s only losses at Mackey Arena this season have come against teams ranking within the top 10 in KenPom's power rankings (Michigan, Illinois, Iowa State). Michigan State has lost its last two road games (Wisconsin & Minnesota). Purdue has a notable offensive edge in this matchup, ranking 2nd in adjusted offensive efficiency, compared to Michigan State’s 42nd-ranked offense. Michigan State's turnover issues (17.5% turnover rate, 235th nationally) are concerning on the road at Mackey Arena.
Northern Colorado @ Eastern Washington
Open: Northern Colorado -1
Current: Northern Colorado +1
Move: 2 Points ➡️ Eastern Washington
Key Read: Northern Colorado opened as a -1 favorite but has since flipped to the underdog. Early money has come in on Eastern Washington, which rides a 6-game win streak heading into this game. Both teams grade out relatively close in offensive and defensive efficiency, making this a matchup of two middling units. Northern Colorado is one of the best defensive rebounding teams in the nation (4th), making it very difficult for opponents to get second-chance scoring opportunities. Eastern Washington’s strength is three-point shooting (top 50 in the nation), but Northern Colorado ranks just outside the top 50 nationally in defending the perimeter. We have this game graded as a true 50-50 pick em’. We will monitor how far the Northern Colorado line moves and consider a bet on the underdog if this number inflates toward a full possession.
Liberty @ Kennesaw State
Open: Liberty -2.5
Current: Liberty -1.5
Move: 1 Point ➡️ Kennesaw State
Key Read: Kennesaw State is catching some early respected action, with the market reacting by dropping this line a point toward the home underdogs. Despite holding an impressive 23-4 record, Liberty is one of the worst rebounding teams in the nation and leaves a lot to be desired on defense (223rd). Liberty ranks 2nd in effective field goal percentage, 5th in three-point percentage, and 6th in 2-point percentage. In comparison, Kennesaw State ranks outside the top 200 in all three of those offensive metrics. Kennesaw State needs the win significantly more, but at current prices, we will stay away from betting this game.
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