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Top College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (11/8)

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College Basketball is back, which also means it’s time again to gamble on collegiate hoops. This sport is one of my favorites to bet on, as there are under-the-radar games every day that offer valuable lines to the observable better. Last year was one of the most successful seasons betting on this miraculous sport, so let’s run it back again this year, shall we?

As always, shop around for the best odds and monitor injury news, as College Basketball programs aren’t always transparent about who is available and who isn’t.

Here are my best bets for Wednesday’s slate:

Wednesday’s Top College Basketball Picks & Predictions

Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook | Last Time: 3-2 & Season: 3-2

Arizona State @ Mississippi State

For the Barstool Invitational, we are treated to two solid games in Florida Atlanta vs. Loyola Chicago and Arizona State at Mississippi State. I’ll begin with the second game of the night because I’m simply more confident in this pick.

I don’t want to bury the lede, but Mississippi State is the wounded walking right now. Tolu Smith is the biggest name banged up. Shakeel Moore is suspended and Andrew Taylor is currently questionable. Without the offense running through Smith, I am not confident in them being able to execute offensively the way they want to.

Luckily for them, they should be buoyed by their defense once again. Projected to be top 10, the way to beat these Bulldogs is from the perimeter, with over 36 percent of opponents’ points coming from deep last year. Mississippi State truly does not allow much inside and will force plenty of turnovers.

Arizona State’s offense ranked outside the top 100 last year and is projected to be worse by KenPom this season. What the Sun Devils did not do well last year was shoot the deep ball, ranking 275th in three-point percentage.

The Bulldogs didn’t either, ranking dead last in all of Division I at shooting from beyond the arc and 176th in efficiency. KenPom gave Mississippi State an offensive ranking of 55th, which is a big jump. It should improve, but I don’t expect the change to come overnight, especially while players are banged up.

Points are going to be at a premium tonight. This game screams under to me.          

Bet: Under 134.5 (-110)

Florida Atlantic @ Loyola Chicago

If we’re talking regression, these teams are prime candidates. Both will probably be impacted positively and negatively. The Owls are coming off a remarkably hot season, making it to the Final Four. They run back nearly their entire team, only losing Michael Forrest and his near nine points per game.

Loyola Chicago is coming off a rough introduction to the Atlantic 10, going 10-21 last year and finishing 253rd in KenPom. They are due for a big improvement. With head coach Drew Valentine in his third year and bringing in four different transfers, three of which should start or at least provide major minutes, things should be different for the Ramblers.

Loyola has to fix their turnovers, ranking 350th in the nation last year, and their interior defense. Valentine talked about being more physical down low and Dame Adelekun (Dartmouth) and Patrick Mwamba (Oral Roberts) transferring in should help with that.

This Owls team doesn’t need to win by being physical, but instead with their deep bench and dynamic offense. Johnell Davis and Alijah Martin are straight ballers, and Dusty May at the helm again is a recipe for success.

If this game was in December, I may be looking at it differently. With the number of returning minutes for FAU and the turnover for Loyola Chicago, the continuity is a big plus for the Owls. I don’t expect Loyola to contain Florida Atlantic’s shooting, and the Owls should also outplay them in transition. I expect Florida Atlantic to roll here. 

Bet: Florida Atlantic -6.5 (-112)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday:


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Ryan Coleman is a featured writer at BettingPros. Follow him on Twitter @ryancoleman_98. For more from Ryan, check out his archive. You can also follow all his bets on the Pikkitt app by following @rcoleman98.

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