The North Carolina Tar Heels head across the Research Triangle to take on the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday night in a renewal of one of college basketball’s great rivalries. This year, though, both teams are struggling, although the Tar Heels have won four of five. Duke is still missing Dariq Whitehead, the nation’s #2 recruit for 2022, who is dealing with foot and leg injuries, but they did get back Jeremy Roach, who had so many big minutes in the Big Dance last year. A Friday night matchup that has our sports betting attention is the visit by Boise State to San Diego State. The Broncos need a win to remain relevant in the March Madness conversation – and to take sole ownership of first place in the Mountain West Conference. Check out our top two College Basketball picks for Friday’s action.
NCAA News: Top College Basketball Bets for the Weekend
→ Friday, February 3
Yale Bulldogs (-3.5) at Harvard Crimson (O/U 132.5) (5:00 pm ET)
Yale (14-6) continues another storied rivalry – this one from the Ivy League – when the Bulldogs head to Boston for a nationally televised showdown. Yale has won three in a row, all at home, including an 87-65 win over Princeton on Saturday. The team started 8-1 but then dropped five of eight, including an uncharacteristic 1-3 start to Ivy League play. Wins over Brown, Penn and Princeton have helped to right the ship. The Bulldogs rank #68 in the nation in two-point shooting percentage (53.2%), but an Achilles heel has been their free-throw shooting (67.8%, ranked #280). They are also a very young team, ranked #337 in experience. The team’s top scorer has been forward Matt Knowling (14.4 points, 5.1 rebounds per game). John Poulakidas (10.7), E.J. Jarvis (10.5) and August Mahoney (10.4) all score in double figures per game.
Harvard (12-9) started the year 5-1, but their non-conference schedule featured enough cupcakes to start a bakery. Since then, they have alternated wins and losses in 16 straight games. They beat Cornell by six on January 21 – and then got drilled by Penn, losing by 15. The offense has struggled, with a 49.7% effective field goal percentage. They are also extremely young (ranked #322 in experience). From three-point land, Harvard has made just 29.5% of their shots. Senior guard Chris Ledlum is the top scorer with 19.2 points per game, but he is the only Crimson player averaging double figures. Yale to win and cover.
Boise State Broncos (+5.5) at San Diego State Aztecs (O/U 134.5) (9:00 pm ET)
Boise State (18-5) got a big win at Air Force on Tuesday, taking down the Falcons by seven. The Broncos led by 13 at the half and did enough to hold on for the win, shooting 43.1% overall. Air Force clanked 20 of their 24 three-point attempts, while Boise State was led by Max Rice with 22 points as he went 7 of 14 from the floor, including 4 of 8 from three-point land. The Broncos score 72.4 points per game, which ranks 165th in the nation. Their top scorer on the season is Tyson Degenhart, who scores 14.4 points per game. The Broncos permit 60.7 points per game, as their stout defense ranks 12th in the nation and permits just 27.5% three-point shooting accuracy, which ranks fifth.
San Diego State (17-5) has won 10 of 12, but they lost on Tuesday, falling to Nevada, 75-66. The Aztecs’ defense fell apart in the second half as Nevada hung 47 on the board after the intermission. San Diego State scores 75.0 points per game, which ranks 108th. Their top scorer is Matt Bradley (13.2 points per game). Darrion Trammell (11.1) also scores in double figures. The Aztecs’ defense permits 66.4 points per game (90th overall). The Broncos appear to have all the momentum coming in. Can they cash in? Boise State to cover.
College Basketball Betting Odds
Love betting NCAA basketball? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date college basketball lines
