College Basketball Betting Lines for the Best Weekend Games

College Basketball Week 13 Top Betting Games for Weekend

Top Weekend Betting Games: The stream of upsets of top-five men’s college basketball teams this season continued on Tuesday as Georgia Tech beat #3 North Carolina on Tuesday night. Nathan George made the go-ahead layup with 7.7 seconds remaining in regulation, and the Yellow Jackets edged the Tar Heels, 74-73, stopping the North Carolina winning streak at 10 games. Georgia Tech (10-11, 3-7 ACC) had dropped eight of nine and was near the basement of the ACC standings. However, their three wins have come against then-#21 Mississippi State, then-#7 Duke – and now North Carolina. Finding some consistency will help the Yellow Jackets go a long way. Heading into the weekend, check out our primo online betting picks from college hoops.

Butler Bulldogs at #13 Creighton Bluejays

NCAAB Odds: Butler (+9.5) at #13 Creighton (O/U 147.5)
When: Friday, February 2, 9:00 pm ET
TV / Streaming: FS1

Butler (14-6, 5-5 Big East) came back to beat Villanova at home, 88-81, in double overtime in their last game, and they bring a three-game winning streak west. The Bulldogs are scoring 80.8 points per game, shooting 45.8% from the floor. Their record in true road games is 2-4, though, so we will see if this newfound consistency shows up away from Indianapolis. In the win over Villanova, Jahmyl Telford went off for 22 points in a double-double, and his scoring average is now 13.9 points, second on the team. The top scorer is Michigan State transfer Pierre Brooks II, who has 20 or more points in three of the last four games and averages 16.6 points per game. D.J. Davis dropped 28 on Villanova and now scores 13.6 points per game. The top rebounder is senior center Jalen Thomas (6.8).

Creighton (16-5, 7-3 Big East) routed DePaul at home in their last game, 85-62, and they also bring a three-game winning streak into Friday night’s action. The Bluejays put up 79.7 points per game, shooting 48.0% from the floor, and they are in second place in the conference. In home games they are 10-1 this year. This is a team that plays methodically, willing to make the extra pass(es) to get the open man. Baylor Scheierman has broken the 20-point barrier in two of the Bluejays’ last three wins, and he is the top scorer for the season (17.8) as well as leading the team on the boards (8.1). Trey Alexander has scored at least 23 points in three straight games, averaging 17.0 points per game and leading the team with 4.7 dimes per game. Center Ryan Kalkbrenner had a 22-point double-double against DePaul and averages 16.6 points and 7.7 boards per game. Butler to cover.

#23 Oklahoma Sooners at UCF Knights

When: Saturday, February 3, 4:00 pm ET
TV / Streaming: Big 12 Network

UCF (12-8, 3-5 Big 12) continues its inaugural season in a power conference as they welcome the Oklahoma Sooners (16-5, 4-4 Big 12) on Saturday. UCF lost on Wednesday, 77-6, to Baylor, despite 23 points from Darius Johnson. In their last 10 games, the Knights have only scored 65.9 points per game, bringing their season scoring average down to 71.8. They are just 200th in the nation in made three-pointers per game (7.3) and 237th in three-point shooting percentage (32.7%). They do score 15.2 points more per game at home than they do on the road, but the Big 12 has not been kind to them so far.

Oklahoma routed Kansas State on Tuesday, 73-53, behind 23 points and 9 rebounds from Jalon Moore. They average 78.3 points per game, which ranks 77th in the nation. Their three-point shooting rate (34.2%) is 168th in the nation, and they make 7.4 three-balls per game, just barely ahead of the Knights. They only score 69.8 points per game on the road, and they’ve had some inconsistency in Big 12 play. Could the Knights pull off the upset? Knights to cover.

2024 Top Weekend Betting Games for College Basketball | Week 12 NCAAB

An interesting quirk about the 2023-24 college basketball season is that the Mountain West Conference could get as many schools into March Madness as the ACC and the Pac-12 combined. Normally the ACC is stacked with quality basketball programs, but after you get past Duke and North Carolina (and perhaps Florida State), that’s about all of the teams that look like locks. Schools like Wake Forest, N.C. State, Miami and Syracuse all have at least six losses, and a previously impressive Clemson team is just 3-4 in ACC play. In the Pac-12, Arizona has already lost three times in conference play and is tied with 11-8 Arizona State for third in the conference. UCLA is foundering to an 8-11 start that could lead to missing out on the NIT. A lot of Bracketology experts see five MWC teams getting in, and maybe six if Nevada can figure things out. As we look ahead to the weekend, check out the Top Weekend Betting Games and some of our top sports betting picks from college hoops.

Saturday, January 27

Kansas State Wildcats (+14.5) at #4 Houston Cougars (12:00 pm ET, ESPN)

Kansas State (14-5, 4-2 Big 12) heads south to take on Houston (17-2, 4-2 Big 12) in an early start. The Wildcats went to the Elite Eight last year and have only lost in Big 12 play this time around at Texas Tech (by one) and at Iowa State (by 11). They beat then #9 Baylor by four and Oklahoma State by four before losing at Iowa State in their last game, where they failed to cover as 8 ½-point road underdogs. The Wildcats outshot the Cyclones, but they got killed on the boards, 38-25. Cam Carter is the top scorer with 16.3 points per game, while Arthur Kaluma leads the team in rebounding, but he needs more than 7.6 boards per game, and the rest of his team needs to commit to the glass more as well. Kaluma does put up 15.2 points per game, mostly in the paint.

Houston’s two conference losses have come at Iowa State (by four) and at TCU (by one). Since losing to the Horned Frogs, though, the Cougars have taken care of business, beating Texas Tech by 23, UCF by 15, and BYU by seven. In that win over BYU, they won on the boards, 41-34, and only had nine turnovers. They also knocked down 43.5% of their three-point attempts. L.J. Cryer is the top scorer with 15.6 points per game, and fellow guard Jamal Shead averages 11.4 points, leading the team in assists (6.0) and steals (2.3). The Cougars have a 16-game home winning streak, but this is a huge spread against a team like Kansas State, especially given that the Cougars play a slower, more grinding style. Wildcats to cover.

#8 Auburn Tigers (-4) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (3:30 pm ET, SEC ESPN Network)

Auburn (16-3, 5-1 SEC) faces a potential trap game down in Starkville as they face Mississippi State (13-6, 2-4 SEC). In their last game, they lost by four at Alabama as 3 ½-point underdogs, and the Crimson Tide only managed to cover thanks to some last-minute free throws. Johni Broome led the Tigers with 25 points and 14 rebounds, and the defense limited Alabama to 38% overall shooting, but the Tide outrebounded the Tigers by five, and Auburn had some costly turnovers late in the second half. Even so, Auburn is ranked in KenPom’s top ten in both offensive and defensive efficiency, and they lead the SEC with just 0.879 points permitted per possession.

Mississippi State had some impressive wins in non-conference play, including Arizona State and Northwestern, but the offense has never really gotten going, which is one reason for that 2-4 conference record. They lost, 79-70, at Florida in their last game, and the game wasn’t as close as the final score indicated. Mississippi State did pull down 17 offensive boards, but they couldn’t make even 40% of their shots. Their defense is seventh in the SEC, but their offense struggles, and the Tigers have the defense to clamp down and win big. Tigers to win and cover.

Coming into 2023-24, USC basketball head coach Andy Enfield felt primed to contend for a Pac-12 title – a title that will turn out to be the last in the history of this storied league. His roster included top NBA prospect Isaiah Collier, heralded talent Bronny James, and other strong returning veterans. Now, though, USC might not even make the Big Dance after losing five of its last seven games, including an 82-67 setback at #12 Arizona on Thursday. Collier, Boogie Ellis and Joshua Morgan all entered the season as starters but have missed a lot of time with injuries. James picked up 11 points and six assists in the loss to Arizona, and the focus on the son of LeBron James has made the team’s struggles a focus of the national media. James is putting up just seven points per game and making just 28% of his three-point attempts. As we look ahead to the weekend, check out the Top Weekend Betting Games and some of our top sports betting picks from college hoops.

#18 Creighton Bluejays (-1.5) at Seton Hall Pirates

NCAAB Odds: Creighton -135 / Seton Hall +105 // OU 73.5
When: Saturday, January 20, 12:00 pm ET
TV / Streaming: FS1

Creighton (13-5, 4-3 Big East) heads to New Jersey to take on the dangerous Seton Hall Pirates (13-5, 6-1 Big East) in an early midday start on Saturday. While Creighton got off to a solid start, conference play has dealt them some setbacks, including a 62-48 beating at the hands of UConn earlier this week, ending a four-game winning streak in conference play. In the loss at UConn, Creighton entered as a 6 ½-point road dog and failed to cover, losing the field goal percentage, three-point shooting and rebounding battles. The team relies on Baylor Scheierman’s 17.7 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Trey Alexander adds 15.7 points and 4.4 assists per contest. However, if their shooting doesn’t heat up, the Bluejays may well drop back to .500 in Big East play.

Seton Hall leads the Big East with that 6-1 conference record that includes a five-game winning streak, in which they have taken down Providence, Marquette, Georgetown, Butler, and St. John’s. They opened Big East play with a 20-point loss at Xavier, but they have tightened things up and are winning. They outrebounded St. John’s, 49-28, in their most recent win, and made 42.1% of their three-pointers while only turning the ball over a dozen times. Look to Kadary Richmond to keep the scoring going as he puts up 16.2 points and dishes out 4.6 assists per game. He is questionable after hurting his back against St. John’s, so check the latest injury report before locking any wagers. Jaden Bediako has 8.3 points and 7.4 boards per night, blocking 1.7 shots per contest. Seton Hall to cover.

#9 Baylor Bears (+1) at Texas Longhorns

NCAAB Odds: Texas -145 / Baylor +115 // OU 76.5
When: Saturday, January 20, 12:00 pm ET
TV / Streaming: ESPN

The Bears (14-3, 3-1 Big 12) look to extend the misery of the Longhorns (12-5, 1-3 Big 12), who lost their last game at home to UCF on Wednesday, 77-71, despite entering as 8 ½-point favorites. The primary response of their head coach, Rodney Terry, was to go into his postgame press conference and whine about the “horns down” celebration that UCF players were doing after the upset. The Longhorns have put up 77.3 points per game this season, shooting 48.2% from the floor, which ranks sixth in the conference. Their defense is just ninth int he Big 12, permitting 67.1 points per game and an opposing field goal percentage of 41.4%. Their rebounding (36.3) ranks just tenth in the Big 12. Max Abmas was the top scorer against UCF, putting up 15 points, but he went just 5 of 13 from the floor.

Baylor finally took a conference loss on Tuesday and now sit in a four-way tie atop the Big 12. Their offense puts up 84.8 points per night, second in the Big 12 and 14th in the nation. Their three-point shooting average (40.4%) ranks third in the nation, and they knock down 8.9 three-balls per night. Their defense ranks just 12th in the conference as they allow 68.8 points per game, but the Bears play an up-tempo game that leads to more scoring chances than some schemes. The Bears outrebound their opponents by 6.4 boards per night. Bears to cover.

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2024 Top Weekend Betting Games for College Basketball | Week 10 NCAAB

Top Weekend Betting Games: Remember when coach Mick Cronin guided UCLA to the Final Four three years ago? It seems like about 30 years ago after Thursday’s 90-44 beating at the hands of Utah. Only a 48-point loss to Stanford in 1997 has ever been worse in the history of this storied program. UCLA (6-10, 1-4 Pac-12) has dropped eight of nine. It’s not like the Bruins’ roster is subpar; there is NBA-level talent on this team. However, even to get to the NIT at this point would be a miracle. One of the biggest problems is three-point shooting as the Bruins only make 27.9% of their shots from distance. In the Utah game, the Utes were only up by three with 5:04 remaining before halftime, but then the Bruins just collapsed. With 3:03 remaining in regulation, Utah led by 50. Can the Bruins turn things around? As we head into the weekend, check out our best sports betting picks from college hoops.

Saturday, January 13, 12:00 pm ET, ESPN2

#5 Tennessee Volunteers at Georgia Bulldogs

Tennessee (11-4) looks to start a new winning streak after seeing their last one end at seven games at Mississippi State in the Vols’ SEC road opener. Tennessee was a two-point road favorite but fell, 77-72. The defense remains ironclad, ranked second in the nation with KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency metrics. Their offense can get stagnant, depending on Zakai Zeigler and Dalton Knecht to do all the scoring. They combined for 54 points against Mississippi State while the rest of the team only managed 18.

Georgia (12-3) has a nifty ten-game winning streak going after they beat Arkansas, 76-66, at home to keep their SEC slate perfect. Their defense ranks 38th in the nation in opponent field goal percentage and only allows 6.9 made three-balls per game. Their ball security is solid as they only turn the ball over 11.4 times per game. Point guard Noah Thomasson has only coughed the ball up nine times in 15 games. I like Georgia has going on, so if Tennessee wins, it won’t be by enough to cover the large spread you’re likely to see. Tennessee 76, Georgia 73.

Saturday, January 13, 3:00 pm ET, ACC Network

Boston College Eagles at #21 Clemson Tigers

Boston College (10-5) looks to bounce back from an ugly loss at Syracuse their last time out. The Orange beat BC, 69-59, thanks to 38.7% shooting by the Eagles. Claudell Harris Jr led BC with 16 points but just went 6 of 15 from the floor. Devin McGlockton had a double-double with 15 points and 14 points, and Mason Madsen came off the bench to score 11. Jaeden Zackery and Quinten Post were both scoreless, going 0 for 11 combined. The Eagles score 79 points per game and are third in the nation in field goals made per game. They permit 72.7 points per game and allow opponents to shoot 43.4% overall.

Clemson (11-4) got off to a hot start to the season and opened ACC play by taking down Pitt, but since then they have dropped three straight including a loss at Virginia Tech in their last game.They only managed 72 points against the Hokies, shooting just 44.4% overall and 34.6% from downtown. Ian Schieffelin led Clemson with 15 points and eight boards, and Joe Girard III and Chauncey Wiggins each scored a dozen. P.J. Hall, the team’s top scorer, only managed 11, going just 4 of 13 on the night. The defense was porous, allowing 87 points and 54.4% overall shooting. The Tigers are scoring 79.7 points per game on the season while allowing just 71.8, but those numbers are getting increasingly closer with each ACC loss. Both of these teams have 1-3 conference records. Clemson has opened conference play against some tougher defensive teams than BC has, and I see them rebounding on their home floor. Clemson 76, BC 70.

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Top Weekend Betting Games for College Basketball in the Week 9

Providence star forward Bryce Hopkins blew the ACL in his left knee and is done for the season. The injury came during the second half of a 61-57 setback against Seton Hall on Wednesday. He dished the ball to Devin Carter in transition but then landed awkwardly and grabbed his leg in pain. He had transferred to Providence from Kentucky in the spring of 2022 and put up 15.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in 2022-23, garnering first-team All-Big East honors and guiding Providence to the Big Dance. He was putting up 15.5 points and 8.6 boards per game so far this season as the Friars had a surprising 11-2 record for new coach Kim English, with victories over Wisconsin and Marquette. Will this darken their prospects as they head to Creighton this weekend and going forward? Check out our NCAAB betting picks for Top Weekend Betting Games to learn more.

#9 Illinois Fighting Illini at #1 Purdue Boilermakers

When: Friday, January 5, 8:30 pm ET
TV / Streaming: FS1

The Illini (11-2, 2-0 Big Ten) look to end a three-game losing streak in their rivalry with the Boilermakers (13-1, 2-1 Big Ten). Both teams bring winning streaks in as the Illini have won four in a row while the Boilermakers are on a six-game streak.

The Illini just lost All-American guard Terrence Shannon Jr to an indefinite suspension. He was leading the team with 21.7 points per game, more than 10 points ahead of the next contributor. He was shooting 40.8% from downtown. However, in the two games since then, the Illini have scored almost 200 points combined without him. They routed Northwestern, 96-66, in their last game – the same Northwestern team that opened their Big Ten slate with a win over Purdue. Marcus Domask dropped 32 on Northwestern and became the first Illinois player to put up a 30-5-5 since Ayo Dosunmu did it. Forward Quincy Guerrier had his fifth double-double of the season with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Illini offense averages 83.9 points per game while the defense permits just 65.5, creating the 12th-biggest point differential in the nation. They win the rebounding battle by 12.1 per night, and forward Coleman Hawkins is a terrific inside-out scorer who causes matchup issues.

Since losing to Northwestern to open conference play, Purdue has gone 6-0 (5-1 against the spread). Their last action came at Maryland, where they entered as six-point favorites but rolled, 67-53, ending the Terrapins’ 19-game home winning streak. Zach Edey had his eighth double-double of the season (23 points, 12 boards), and he averages 23 points per game, fifth-best in the nation. He also pulls down 10.3 boards per game, even though he plays fewer than 30 minutes per game. Guard Braden Smith had 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists against Maryland, going two of three from downtown. He makes 49% of his three-point attempts, making him a dangerous shooter. While Illinois dangerous even without Shannon, winning at Purdue is a tall order. NCAAB Final Prediction: Purdue 81, Illinois 77.

#23 Providence Friars at Creighton Bluejays

When: Saturday, January 6, 2:00 pm ET
TV / Streaming: FS1

Creighton (10-4, 1-2 Big East) is a team that, at least on paper, looks like a Big EAst contender. Ryan Kalkbrenner is the two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year and returns to anchor a team that also had top scorers Trey Alexander and Baylor Scheierman back this season. Steven Ashworth, a terrific shooter, transferred in from Utah State, but this talent hasn’t stopped the team from losing to Colorado State and UNLV in non-conference play as well as surrendering a double-digit halftime lead at home in a loss to Villanova and seeing their rebounding problems turn into a loss at Marquette. The Bluejays bounced back by beating Georgetown by 17, but the Hoyas are not Big East contenders.

The Friars (11-3, 2-1 Big East) not only beat Marquette but beat them convincingly, 72-52, as Devin Carter and Davonte Gaines combined for 40 points, including ten three-pointers. Josh Oduro and Hopkins pulled down nine boards apiece, and point guard Garwey Dual came off the bench to dish out seven assists. The Providence defense held Marquette to just seven assists, less than 50% of their season average. They held off Butler in their second conference game, but their loss to Seton Hall showed how the team relied on Hopkins for offensive consistency. Have they solved the problem? I think they can surprise a Creighton team that is underperforming. NCAAB Final Prediction: Providence 70, Creighton 64.

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Top Weekend Betting Games for College Basketball in the Week 8

The Connecticut Huskies looked like they were ready to roll toward another deep run at this year’s installment of March Madness. Then they went to Seton Hall and got beat by 15. Donovan Clingan’s loss looks like it will hurt the Huskies more than they may have thought; his foot injury will keep him on the shelf for as long as a month. Florida Atlantic announced its presence as a force in college basketball by beating Arizona in double overtime. Tennessee has a nice five-game winning streak that includes one over a suddenly impressive Illinois team. Going into the weekend, let’s look at some Top Weekend Betting Games quality sports betting picks from college hoops.

#7 Florida Atlantic Owls at Florida Gulf Coast Eagles

When: Saturday, December 30, 7:00 pm ET
TV / Streaming: ESPN+

What will Johnell Davis have after dropping 35 points on Arizona in that double-overtime win in Las Vegas? The classic trap game awaits the 10-2 Owls as they travel to FGCU. The Eagles (5-9) are 3-1 at home – but just 3-7 against opponents with winning records. Florida Atlantic has yet to play a true road game, although they have seven games on neutral courts, with a 6-1 record. Their other loss? A home setback against Bryant, showing that the Owls can stumble against lesser opponents. The Owls do well in the paint; they have 39.8 points per game in the lane, which leads the AAC. Vladislav Goldin is the main force inside, putting up 9.7 points per game. For FGCU, Keeshawn Kellman is putting up 12.4 points and 6.9 boards per game, and Zach Anderson has come on lately, averaging 11.4 points per game over his last 10 contests. If the Eagles can get hot from the outside and take an early lead, this game could get interesting. I do think the Owls have overcome that early sluggishness that cost them against Bryant and will not let the hangover after beating Arizona and rising into the top ten cost them this win. Owls to win.

USC Trojans at Oregon State Beavers

When: Saturday, December 30, 10:00 pm ET
TV / Streaming: Pac-12 Network

USC (6-6, 0-1 Pac-12)) and Oregon State (8-4, 0-1 Pac-12) come in looking for their first conference win of the season. USC lost at Oregon on Thursday, 82-74, allowing freshmen Kwame Evans Jr and Jackson Shelstad to set season highs with a combined 43 points. Evans added eight boards and five steals as the Ducks ran out to a 42-25 halftime lead. It didn’t help that USC started out missing 15 of their first 20 shots and had 10 turnovers in 17 minutes to start the game. USC did come within four in the second half when Boogie Ellis knocked down a three-ball with 38.1 seconds left in regulations, but the Trojans would clank their next two three-pointers. D.J. Rodman and Joshua Morgan each chipped in 14 points for the Trojans, and Ellis and Isaiah Collier added 11 each.

Oregon State also lost its Pac-12 opener, falling 69-62 to a UCLA team that just made it to .500 with the win. The Bruins had lost four in a row before knocking off the Beavers, who suffered their first home loss and saw a five-game winning streak come to an end. Dexter Akanno led Oregon State with 22 points. Jordan Pope chipped in 13 points, and Tyler Bilodeau had a nice night in the paint, with 10 points and 14 boards. Oregon State to win.

Washington Huskies at Utah Utes

When: Sunday, December 31, 6:00 pm ET
TV / Streaming: Pac-12 Network

The Utes (9-2) host Washington State on Friday before welcoming the Huskies on Sunday. They average 80.6 points per game, shooting 48.6% overall from the floor and 38.0% from downtown. They grab 39.6 rebounds per game. On defense, they permit 68.5 points per game. Their top scorer is center Branden Carlson (16.8 points per game), who also grabs 6.2 boards per game. Rollie Worster is the top distributor with 6.2 assists per game.

Washington (8-3) welcomes Colorado on Friday and then heads south to take on the Utes on Sunday. The Huskies have a four-game winning streak going into Friday’s action, including a five-point win over Gonzaga. They last played on December 21 and beat Eastern Washington, 73-66, needing a comeback to avoid what would have been an unsightly blemish on their tournament resume. The Huskies score 83 points per game and shoot 48% overall, including 34.2% from behind the arc. Utes to win.

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Top Weekend Betting Games for College Basketball in the Week 7

The fall semester has ended at colleges across the country. Basketball players and coaches are worn out after the grind of non-conference play, which includes travel to multiple tournaments for a lot of teams. However, this week of games is crucial as many teams prepare for conference play (and some teams continue a conference slate that has already begun). Some key wins and losses now could be crucial when it comes to seeding for March Madness. Let’s break down three games that offer some NCAAB betting opportunities going into the weekend.

Friday, December 22

#13 Illinois Fighting Illini at Missouri Tigers (9:00 pm ET, FS1)

Missouri won 25 games in 2022-23, but at 7-4, they don’t feel much like that team. They have dropped consecutive games to Kansas and Seton Hall, and Iowa State transfer Caleb Grill, who has averaged 8.4 points per game, is on the shelf with a wrist injury and does not have a timetable to return. Then there’s that loss to Jackson State, which puts a gaping hole in their tournament resume. The Illini are ranked in the top 15 in adjusted defensive efficiency and have a quality duo in Terrence Shannon Jr and Marcus Domask. So this should be an easy win. Right? Illinois to win and cover (-6.5).

#16 Colorado State Rams at Loyola Marymount Lions (10:00 pm ET, ESPN+)

Colorado State has just one loss this season, and it came last week against St. Mary’s (CA). They bounced back with an 86-54 thrashing of CSU Pueblo, shooting 50.9% from the floor and 38.5% from distance while limiting their non-D1 opponent to 33.9% shooting and 18.2% three-point shooting. All of the CSU starters hit double figures, behind 18 points from Isaiah Stevens. Loyola Marymount covered as a 17-point favorite in their last game, a 76-56 home win over Detroit Mercy. The Lions held the visitors to just 28.3% shooting overall and 26.3% from downtown while they shot 50% overall and 41.2% from behind the arc themselves. The Lions are 5-1 at home, with the only setback coming against UC-Santa Barbara, the defending Big West champions. Colorado State to win.

Saturday, December 23

Butler Bulldogs at Providence Friars (12:00 pm ET, FS1)

These two teams enter with identical records of 10-2 (1-0 Big East) even though Providence was picked to come in seventh in the conference in the preseason poll after seeing former head coach Ed Cooley go to Georgetown. Butler went 14-18 last year and was picked to come in 10th. However, both sit in the 50s in the NET rankings going into Saturday’s game, which puts them right on the bubble as far as the Big Dance is concerned. Pierre Brooks is putting up 16.5 points per game for Butler, and the Bulldogs are riding a seven-game winning streak. Devin Carter and Bryce Hopkins have combined to score over 32 points per game – and the Friars’ home gym is a tough place to win. Providence to win.

#4 Arizona Wildcats vs #14 Florida Atlantic Owls (in Las Vegas) (3:00 pm ET, FOX)

The 8-1 Wildcats meet up with the 9-2 Owls at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Owls got to the Final Four last year thanks to their ability to shut down top guards. Kendric Davis, the one-time AAC Player of the Year with SMU, ended up going just 5 for 15 with Memphis in the first round of March Madness a year ago, victimized by the FAU defense. In the Sweet 16, the Owls held Tennessee’s Josiah Jordan-James and Santiago Vescovi to a combined 6 of 22. Markquis Nowell of Kansas State just went 3 of 10 from inside the three-point line against FAU in the Elite Eight. The Owls will need a similar approach against Arizona’s Caleb Love, who went 4 of 9 from downtown in a 29-point performance last Saturday when the Wildcats fell to Purdue. Arizona to win.

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Top Weekend Betting Games for College Basketball in the Week 6

It took a ruling from a federal judge in West Virginia, but Keylan Boone’s transfer to UNLV was upheld just in time for him to take the floor against the eighth-ranked Creighton Bluejays. Boone has also played for Oklahoma State and Pacific, and he put up 10 points and six boards in the 79-64 upset win. UNLV had come in as 13 ½-point underdogs before taking the win. The judge’s ruling that double transfers were eligible to play immediately paid off. His twin brother, Kalib, went 12 of 17 from the floor, scoring 25 points and leading the team with seven boards. Ryan Kalkbrenner led Creighton with 22 points. As we look toward the Top Weekend Betting Games, don’t miss these top NCAAB betting picks.

#5 Connecticut Huskies at #10 Gonzaga Bulldogs

When: Friday, December 15, 10:00 pm ET
TV / Streaming: ESPN2

Gonzaga’s leader on the boards is Anton Watson, who pulls down 8.2 rebounds per game. He also scores 13.9 points and dishes out 2.4 assists per contest. Graham Ike leads the team in points (14.2), and he grabs 7.9 boards per game while shooting 58.8% overall from the floor. The assist leader is Ryan Nembhard (5.7). He also scores 11.8 points and posts 3.7 rebounds per game. Against the spread, though, the Bulldogs are just 4-5 this season. When they score at least 64 points, though, they are 8-1 straight up.

Tristen Newton leads the Huskies in scoring with 17.0 points per game. He is also the leader in rebounds (7.2) and assists (6.1). He’s shooting 47.2% overall from the floor and 34.7% from behind the arc, making 1.7 shots from distance per game. Alex Karaban is shooting 54.5% overall from the floor and scores 15.6 points per game. He also grabs 6.2 boards and dishes out 1.5 assists per contest. Cam Spencer adds 15.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest. The team’s offense is high-octane, averaging 87.4 points per night. The Bulldogs only allow an average of 65.3 points, so something will have to give. Huskies to cover.

#2 Kansas Jayhawks at Indiana Hoosiers

When: Friday, December 16, 12:30 pm ET
TV / Streaming: CBS

Indiana has a 7-2 record (2-0 Big Ten) but still lacks a win over a ranked opponent, which would definitely burnish their tournament resume. Their last game was a clunker, as they turned an early 22-10 lead over Auburn into an embarrassing 104-76 loss. The Hoosiers’ defense, as you can guess, is a bit of a problem, as teams score 73.1 points per game against them, the third-worst mark in the Big Ten. Opponents are making 8.7 three-pointers per game against Indiana, the highest number allowed by any Big Ten school. The Hoosiers will fare much better, though, with the return of Xavier Johnson to the lineup.

Kansas has just one loss on the season, a 14-point setback to Marquette over in Maui. They have beaten such teams as Tennessee, Kentucky, and Connecticut, so they already have some big skins on the wall. Hunter Dickinson has been dominating the paint, and Kevin McCullar Jr has been terrific in the backcourt; both players put up 19 points per game. Dickinson is also the team’s top rebounder (12.6) with a 63% shooting percentage from the floor. McCullar grabs 7.1 rebounds per game, dishes out 5.0 assists, and leads the team with 1.4 steals per contest. This is the Jayhawks’ first true road game of 2023-24, though, and Assembly Hall is a raucous road environment. The Hoosiers should have motivation with Johnson’s return and the memory of that loss to Auburn fresh on the mind. The Hoosiers beat then-#1 Purdue at home last year. Given the tough environments that Kansas has already won in this year, though, I see them collecting themselves and restoring order. Jayhawks to cover.

Previous Betting News

Top Weekend Betting Games for College Basketball in the Week 5

The NCAA actually made a rule change that makes sense and has improved play! That might be the biggest news in college sports in years. It involves the block/charge call in basketball, and it now requires a defender to be in position and be outside the restricted area when the offensive player plants his foot to go airborne to draw a charge. Before, the defender only had to be in position by the time the player went airborne. This is only a split second, but the difference allowed defenders to slip in between the offensive player and the basket after the offensive player had committed to his jump. Now, a defender who arrives late is called for the block. This has improved the quality of play, reducing turnovers and increasing offensive efficiency. Going into the weekend, don’t miss our Top Weekend Betting Games and picks from college hoops.

2023 Top Weekend Betting Games for College Basketball in December 9 | Week 5 NCAAB

#20 Illinois Fighting Illini at #17 Tennessee Volunteers

When: Saturday, December 9, 12:00 pm ET
TV / Streaming: CBS

In their last game, Illinois (7-1) took on the Florida Atlantic Owls and picked up an impressive 98-89 win. The Illini shot 63.2% from the floor and 40% from downtown – as well as 90% of their free throws. They permitted 48.4% shooting and lost the rebound battle by three, but their hot shooting allowed them to deliver the win against a surprise Final Four team from a year ago and a co-favorite (with Memphis) to win the AAC. Marcus Domask led the Illini with 33 points, going 15 of 21 from the floor.

Tennessee (5-3) also picked up a win in their last game, rolling over George Mason, 87-66. They pulled down 40 rebounds, including 11 on the offensive glass, while George Mason only had 25. Tennessee shot 49.2% from the floor overall and 343.6% from behind the arc. The top scorer for the Volunteers was Jonas Aidoo, who put up 17 points on 7 of 11 shooting, along with eight boards and four assists. Illinois is off to a better start and took down a tough ranked opponent in their last win. Illinois to win.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs #4 Purdue Boilermakers

When: Saturday, December 9, 1:30 pm ET
TV / Streaming: FOX

If you’re wondering why Alabama (6-2) and Purdue (8-1) are playing in Toronto, when this game was first scheduled, both teams had key players who were from Ontario. Zach Edey, of course, is still with Purdue, and Alabama had a paint presence of their own in Charles Bediako. Bediako left for the NBA, though, so he won’t be there for the Tide, but the two teams decided to keep the game in Canada anyway. The Tide routed Arkansas State in their last game, 89-65, shooting 43.8% from the floor and going 13 of 31 from behind the arc. They won the rebound battle by one and held Arkansas State to just 6 of 30 from behind the arc. Mark Sears put up 13 points, six assists, and three rebounds.

Purdue bounced back from their loss to Northwestern by thumping Iowa, 87-68, shooting 33% from behind the arc and 52.3% from the floor, while their defense limited Iowa to just 38.5% shooting overall. Zach Edey went 9 of 10 from the floor, putting up 25 points, 12 boards and three assists. For the season, Purdue’s perimeter defense has been tough, permitting just 26.9% shooting from behind the three-point arc. They are 32nd in the nation in field goal percentage permitted (38.7%). Purdue to win.

#23 Wisconsin Badgers at #1 Arizona Wildcats

When: Saturday, December 9, 3:15 pm ET
TV / Streaming: ESPN

The Badgers (7-2) stopped Michigan State in their last game, 70-57. A.J. Storr went 8 of 11 from the floor with 22 points and five rebounds. The Badgers shot 45.1% from the floor and went 10 of 23 from behind the arc – and made all 14 of their free throws. The Badgers allowed the Spartans to shoot 45.1%, but they outrebounded them, 35-22. Their defense ranks 33rd in the nation in points permitted (63.1 per game).

Arizona (7-0) rolled over Colgate in their last game, 82-55, despite shooting just 46.5% from the floor and clanking 16 of their 23 three-point attempts. Caleb Love had 14 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. Their shooting is normally better; averaging 50.6% from the floor, the Wildcats rank 15th in shooting percentage. Can they stop Wisconsin at home? The Badgers have picked up some impressive wins so far this season, so an upset might be in order. Badgers to win.

Previous Betting News

Top Weekend Betting Games for College Basketball in the Week 4

The Arkansas Razorbacks pulled off a massive upset on Wednesday night, stopping #7 Duke at home, 80-75, in front of a sellout crowd of 20,344, a record for Bud Walton Arena. It had been 28 years since the Razorbacks had beaten a ranked ACC team; Arkansas beat #4 North Carolina, 75-68, in the 1995 Final Four. The Arkansas defense held Duke star Kyle Filipowski to three points in the first half. He broke out with 26 points and 10 rebounds for the game, keying the Duke rally, but the Blue Devils fell short. Arkansas got 19 points and 11 boards from Trevon Brazile, and Khalif Battle came off the bench to score 21 in the win. Looking to the weekend, we’ve made some Top Weekend Betting Games for you from the world of college hoops.

2023 Top Weekend Betting Games for College Basketball in December 1 and 2 | Week 4 NCAAB

#6 Houston Cougars at Xavier Musketeers

NCAAB Odds: #6 Houston (-7.5) at Xavier
When: Friday, December 1, 6:30 pm ET
TV / Streaming: FS1

The Houston Cougars have started the season 7-0, but as usual, they have started with a slate of cupcakes on their schedule, including 79-44 home win over Montana last Friday, their last game. The Cougars went in as 26 ½-point favorites and covered, while Xavier lost at home to Oakland on Monday, 78-76, despite entering as 15 ½-point favorites. The Musketeers have challenged themselves a bit more in non-conference play, losing at #1 Purdue by 12, losing at Washington by three, and steamrolling St. Mary’s (CA) at home on November 19, 66-49.

Houston brings height and rebounding every night, so expect them to win the battle of the boards and to get plenty of second-chance baskets. They also have pesky guards who can swipe turnovers and convert them into fast-break points. Xavier can play at both a grinding pace and a run-and-gun pace; against Oakland, the problem was poor shooting, as they shot just 41.1% from the floor overall and clanked 16 of their 23 three-point shots. To have a chance at covering against Houston, that shooting will have to improve.

NCAAB Final Prediction: Houston 75, Xavier 65

#4 Connecticut Huskies at #5 Kansas Jayhawks

NCAAB Odds: #4 Connecticut (+2.5) at #5 Kansas
When: Friday, December 1, 9:00 pm ET
TV / Streaming: ESPN2

The Huskies have won 24 straight non-conference games by double figures, a streak that is likely to end at Kansas. The fact that Connecticut has kept this streak going without Jordan Hawkins and Adama Sanogo, two crucial players in the Huskies’ national championship run from a year ago, is impressive. This year’s team has better two-point shooting (65.9%, tops in the nation) and adjusted defensive efficiency than last year’s team.

Kansas has gotten a jolt from Hunter Dickinson, the leader of an offensive squad that has knocked down 59.8% of shots inside the arc and 38.2% of three-point attempts. The Kansas defense is also in the nation’s top ten, and it will have its hands full with Samson Johnson and Donovan Clingan inside for the Huskies. The Jayhawks should be able to force more outside shooting from a Huskies team that is only making 30.9% of its three-point shots. But is this enough to get the win?

NCAAB Final Prediction: Kansas 78, Connecticut 74

#3 Marquette Golden Eagles at Wisconsin Badgers

When: Saturday, December 2, 12:30 pm ET
TV / Streaming: FOX

Marquette comes in with a 6-1 record; their only loss came to top-ranked Purdue in the Maui Invitational at the end of Feast Week. The Golden Eagles have had anything but a soft non-conference schedule so far, though; they have already beaten Illinois, UCLA, and Kansas. The trio of Oso Ighodaro, Kam Jones, and Tyler Kolek pose an offensive threat that Wisconsin will find difficult to contain.

One problem that Wisconsin could pose is their prior success against head coach Shaka Smart, who is 0-2 all-time against the Badgers. Also, the Badgers have four different players averaging double figures, led by A.J. Storr. There aren’t a lot of books offering action on this game because it’s seen as a likely rout, but if you can find a spread, I’d consider taking Wisconsin to cover. They rank 306th in the nation in adjusted tempo according to KenPom, so they should be able to slow the rhythm down and keep the game close.

NCAAB Final Prediction: Marquette 71, Wisconsin 63