College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (12/30)
It’s a full afternoon of College Basketball on Saturday, including one of my favorite teams to bet on in 2023. I can’t believe my eyes when perusing the opening lines for this particular team.
I’ll go short and sweet, trying to give you a handful of winners to head into 2024 on a high note. Happy New Year, everyone!
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Saturday’s College Basketball Best Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All wagers are for 1 unit
Abilene Christian @ Western Kentucky – 3 p.m. ET
The Wildcats of Abilene Christian hit the road for Bowling Green, Ky., looking to get on track after losing by 10 points last time out in Arkansas. The bad news is that ACU lost, but the good news is that the Wildcats picked up a cover as a 14.5-point underdog. However, Abilene Christian is still just 2-4 ATS in the past six games overall.
On the flip side, Western Kentucky has won 10 games this season, including six consecutive outings dating back to Nov. 26. The Hilltoppers have covered four of the past five games, and Western Kentucky is 1-1 ATS in two games against Division I teams at home. The ‘Toppers are a good value at this little number. Take advantage.
Bets: Western Kentucky -5.5 (-110)
Cal State Northridge @ Long Beach State – 4 p.m. ET
This is my favorite betting team. The Matadors of Cal State Northridge have cashed seven in a row, including a 76-72 outright win at UCLA on Dec. 19 as a 17.5-point underdog. The last time the Mats failed to cover was a stunning 80-70 loss against LeMoyne on Nov. 21.
Long Beach has dominated this series, winning five in a row dating back to March 9, 2021, while cashing in four of the previous five outings. The Beach have covered the past two games but is just 3-4 ATS in the past seven games overall. I can see Long Beach winning, but keep riding Northridge until they cool off against the number.
Bet: CS Northridge +8.5 (-114)
Chicago State @ DePaul – 4 p.m. ET
It was all about fading the Chicago State Cougars in past years. This has been one of the worst programs in Division I in the past few seasons. However, Chicago State has pulled it together with seven victories, which is just four games short of last season’s 11-20 mark. And while that sounds like a poor record, the 11 victories were the most since 2013-14. The Cougars have averaged just 5.1 wins per season in the past nine campaigns, so Chicago State is well on its way to a rare good season.
DePaul has been the doormat of the Big East Conference in recent seasons, and things haven’t really changed lately. DePaul has dropped seven of the past eight games overall. It is also just 2-8-1 ATS in the past 11 games overall, and the Blue Demons have managed a 2-5-1 ATS mark in eight home games. The Blue Demons have no business laying this kind of number.
Bet: Chicago State +6.5 (-105)
Mississippi Valley State @ San Francisco – 6 p.m. ET
The Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils is a team you need to follow. MVSU has played 12 games and lost every one of those outings. In addition, Mississippi Valley State hasn’t played a home game this season, and the Delta Devils are one of the worst offensive teams in the nation. MVSU has averaged just 48.8 PPG while shooting 36.1% from the field. Both marks are 362nd out of 362 Division I teams in the nation. The team also shoots just 56.1% from the free-throw line, leaving so many points on the floor.
The Dons should be able to take advantage of MVSU’s leaky defense, too. The Delta Devils allowed 84.3 PPG, allowing teams to teams hit 51.7% from the field, which is also 362nd. San Francisco has racked up 10 wins, including home wins over Fresno State and Northern Arizona. In fact, USF has won all seven home games this season while going 4-2 ATS in six games with a line. The Dons have allowed just 55.7 PPG in the past three home games, so that doesn’t bode well for the Delta Devils. Roll with a Same-Game Parlay with USF and the Under.
Bets: San Francisco -33.5 (-110) and Under 126.5 (-110)
Florida Atlantic @ Florida Gulf Coast – 7 p.m. ET
The Florida Atlantic Owls head to Alico Arena in Fort Myers, Fla., to tangle with Florida Golf Coast. The Owls, up to No. 6 in the Coaches Poll and No. 7 in The AP poll, have experienced trips to Madison Square Garden in New York and T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in the past couple of weeks. Will FAU be able to bring the same kind of intensity for a lower-profile game against the lowly Eagles?
FAU has covered seven of the past eight games overall, and the Owls are good for 83 or more points in eight of the past nine games overall. The Owls have rolled up huge offensive numbers. Meanwhile, the Eagles have allowed 72.1 PPG, while teams are hitting 44.4% from the field and 37.2% from behind the 3-point line. Look for the Owls to roll in Dunk City on Saturday.
Bets: FAU -15.5 (-110) + Over 142.5 (-110)
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