Top College Basketball Picks for Saturday December 18 (2021)
It’s Saturday before Christmas, but let’s get into the spirit early and gift you some top bets for today in College basketball. The No. 1 spot in the College Basketball rankings has been about as secured as getting the No. 1 Christmas gift on Black Friday. We’ll feature the latest top team in the country as they’ll try to hold onto the spot.
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Providence vs. UCONN: Pick Providence +6.5
(Tip 5 p.m. ET)
This is UCONN head coach Dan Hurley's most talented roster he's put together, and it was shown through the non-conference schedule, which includes a win over No.13 Auburn. Andre Jackson and R.J. Cole have really come along, and Adama Sanogo is looking like one of the top two-way big men in the country. Unfortunately, Sanogo has been sidelined recently due to an injury, and you can see how it impacts the team not to have him on the boards.
The veteran presence of the Friars that includes Nate Watson, Al Durham, A.J. Reeves, and Noah Horchler has the team on an impressive 10-1 start. They are living on the free-throw line as they have the seventh-highest free throw rate in the country at 72.5%.
Sanogo's status is crucial for this game. The Huskies don't have the perimeter shooting to take over a game, and although their interior defense can survive without Sanogo, thanks to Akok Akok and Isaiah Whaley, it is still not enough to stop someone like Providence's Nate Watson inside.
Baylor vs. Oregon: Pick Baylor -8
(Tip 10 p.m. ET)
The reigning NCAA champions Baylor is your new No. 1 team in the country, but just like the rest, how long can they stay there? The top-ranking is well deserved as the Bears are the only team in the country who are in the top five in terms of adjusted offense and defense according to KenPom. The defense has been incredible lately as they held Villanova to just 36 points and five of their last seven opponents under 60 points.
Oregon struggled to begin the season as they’ve gotten wins against inferior opponents but haven’t performed well against the more known names. The offense hasn’t been too bad, but the defense has been the weak point as they’re 105th in adjusted defense.
The Ducks have the size the advantage down low to give the Bears some trouble. They could play to that advantage, but they don’t possess the talent to stop them from the perimeter. Unless LJ Cryer and Kendall Brown go arctic cold for Baylor, they’ll be able to get pull this game away.
Purdue vs. Butler: Pick under 132.5
(Tip 12 p.m. ET)
This Butler team has been playing well defensively to start the season. The Bulldogs have stuffed their opponents from long range as they’re allowing just a 28.0 three-point shooting percentage this season and are securing more than 77% of available defensive rebounds. On the other end, their rebounding is also superb as they’re getting 30.4% of their offensive rebounds, and their three-point shooting is impressive at 35%.
Purdue is looking to get back on track after their upset loss to Rutgers on a half-court buzzer-beater put in an end to their quick reign at No. 1. The offense is one getting all the headlines, but the defense is an aspect you shouldn’t ignore. They are currently grabbing 78.4% of the defensive rebound opportunities on the defensive glass and are top-20 in free throw prevention. The Boilermakers can both stop you from the perimeter or inside the paint as they’re allowing opponents to shoot only 31.4% from three-point range and have a 12.0% block rate.
Both of these teams have shown to play lights out defense this season. Both will be tough on the boards and stuff the offense from the perimeter. This is a large spread, and Purdue has not covered them recently, so it’s the safest to bet under the total.
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