Tag: College basketball betting odds lines picks predictions best bets

Villanova at UCLA odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s Villanova at UCLA odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The No. 4 Villanova Wildcats (1-0) and No. 2 UCLA Bruins (1-0) meet Friday night at Pauley Pavilion. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Villanova vs. UCLA odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

The Wildcats blasted Mount St. Mary’s in the tune-up opener, 91-51. Four starters went for 13 or more points, and Big East Player of the Year candidate Collin Gillespie dropped in three triples with 13 points, 5 assists and 2 steals.

The Bruins also had a lay-up against Cal State-Bakersfield in the opener, winning 95-58. Like ‘Nova, UCLA had four starters in double digits, including 19 points apiece from Jules Bernard and Johnny Juzang.

Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Villanova at UCLA odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:30 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Villanova +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | UCLA -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Villanova +2.5 (-102) | UCLA -2.5 (-122)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 140.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!

Villanova at UCLA odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

UCLA 77, Villanova 73

Money line

You can bet UCLA (-160) and not have to worry about the points. That’s fine. It’s a little cheaper to take the home side laying the two and a half, but this is going to be a close game.

Just playing the ML might be the way to go.

Against the spread

UCLA -2.5 (-122) is worth playing, although I could see this game ending on a buzzer-beater. That’s how evenly matched these teams are. This will be a star-studded affair and a fun one to watch.

Bernard and Juzang are going to put on a show.

Over/Under

OVER 140.5 (-108) is the play. Each of these teams flexed their offensive muscle against cupcakes in the opener but will face much more resistance here.

Still, both of these teams are too talented not to get into at least the 70’s. That will make for a rather easy opener, as long as the pace is fast right out of the gate.

I think the Over is the best bet on the board.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @KevJErickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]

George Washington at Maryland odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s George Washington at Maryland odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The George Washington Colonials (1-0) and No. 21 Maryland Terrapins (1-0) meet Thursday night at XFINITY Center in College Park, Md. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the George Washington vs. Maryland odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

The Colonials opened the season by edging St. Francis (PA) Tuesday night by a 75-72 score, failing to cover a 6.5 points as the Over connected. G Joseph Bamisile went for 20 points, while G Brendan Adams led the way with 22 points.

The Terrapins topped Quinnipiac by an 83-69 count, but UMD didn’t come close to covering the 23-point spread as the Over cashed. The Terps had five players in double digits, and star G Eric Ayala managed 13 points, eight rebounds, two assists and a steal with three 3-pointers.

Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

George Washington at Maryland odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:50 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: George Washington +900 (bet $100 to win $900) | Maryland -2000 (bet $2,000 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): George Washington +18.5 (-107) | Maryland -18.5 (-115)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 138.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)

PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!

George Washington at Maryland odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Maryland 81, George Washington 65

Money line

Maryland (-2000) will cost you $20 for every $1 won, and over the long haul that’s not a recommended betting strategy. It’s especially risky behavior early in the season when we see several big-time upsets while teams are getting settled in.

AVOID, and look to the spread.

Against the spread

GEORGE WASHINGTON +18.5 (-107) is a recommended play, even though the Colonials looked sluggish against the Red Flash in the opener.

Maryland -18.5 (-115) let Quinnipiac hang around most of the evening, and the Bobcats even outscored the Terps 44-42 in the second half. Maryland is a Top 25 team, and will be a contender for the Big Ten title this season. But look for the Colonials to hang around like the Bobcats did in the opener.

Over/Under

OVER 138.5 (-107) is the way to go. Maryland raced to 83 points in the opening game, shooting 49% from the field, while knocking down six triples. If the Terps can chop down the turnovers and make more free throws, they could be even more prolific. Both teams hit the Over in their openers, and they’ll do so again Thursday.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @KevJErickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]

Buffalo at Michigan odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Wednesday’s Buffalo Bulls vs. Michigan Wolverines odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The Buffalo Bulls and No. 6 Michigan Wolverines open the regular season Wednesday night at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Buffalo vs. Michigan odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Buffalo welcomes back three experienced players in G Ronaldo Segu and Fs Josh Mballa and JeeNathan Williams. In fact, Williams is a MAC Player of the Year candidate, and the Bulls are the favorites to win the conference.

Michigan enters the season with a Top 10 ranking, and they are also expected to do plenty of big things. C Hunter Dickinson leads the way, with F Caleb Houstan one of the more exciting newcomers for head coach Juwan Howard and the Wolverines.

Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Buffalo at Michigan odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:00 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Buffalo +700 (bet $100 to win $700) | Michigan -1200 (bet $1,200 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Buffalo +15.5 (-115) | Michigan -15.5 (-107)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 150.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!

Buffalo at Michigan odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Michigan 85, Buffalo 76

Money line

Michigan (-1200) will cost you 12 times your potential return, or a profit of just $8.33 for every $100 risked. That’s just tremendous risk for not very much reward, especially against a team picked by many to finish atop its conference.

AVOID, and look to the spread.

Against the spread

We saw a very close game between a MAC team and ranked Big Ten foe Tuesday as Ohio State needed a late lay-in to beat Akron at the buzzer. Can the MAC do it again? Doubtful.

Michigan -15.5 (-107) isn’t going to lose on its home court as Dickinson and the Wolverines are going to be one of the better teams in the nation this season. But BUFFALO +15.5 (-115) is worth backing, catching nearly eight buckets. They have the potential to keep this within single digits as the returning trio of first-team MAC players give this team a look for a 22-25 win team.

Over/Under

OVER 150.5 (-108) is the lean here as Michigan figures to be a top-flight offensive team. UB rolled up 82.7 PPG last season, ranking ninth in the nation, and head coach Jim Whitesell really likes to push the tempo. The Over shouldn’t be a problem as the Bulls weren’t particularly strong on defense a season ago.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @KevJErickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]

Kentucky vs. Duke odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Tuesday’s Kentucky Wildcats vs. Duke Blue Devils odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The No. 11 Kentucky Wildcats and No. 9 Duke Blue Devils open the regular season in a neutral-floor battle Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Kentucky vs. Duke odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Kentucky head coach John Calipari rebuilt his roster after an un-Wildcats-like 9-16 season in 2020-21. The frontcourt is bolstered by transfers Oscar Tshiebwe and Kellan Grady, while the backcourt gets a boost with transfer Sahvir Wheeler coming in from SEC rival Georgia.

Duke will begin its final season under the leadership of Mike Krzyzewski, and it will be the end of an era. Big men Wendell Moore and Mark Williams will be joined by 5-star recruit Paolo Banchero to try and send Coach K out on a high note.

Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Kentucky vs. Duke odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:50 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Kentucky -103 (bet $103 to win $100) | Duke -117 (bet $117 to win $100)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Kentucky +1.5 (-120) | Duke -1.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 148.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!

Kentucky vs. Duke odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Duke 78, Kentucky 73

Money line

Duke (-117) is the pick to win this game, but laying the point-and-a-half just makes sense for a better value.

AVOID, and look to the spread.

Against the spread

Why lay -117 on the ML when you can get a better number on DUKE -1.5 (-117)? This should be a much better battle than the Champions Classic undercard game, Kansas-Michigan State. The nightcap game is going to be close, and we’re going to get to know some new faces. Duke was a good team in 2020-21, while Kentucky has a lot more work to do to prove its ranking. Banchero is going to burst onto the scene and introduce himself to the nation, and to bettors.

Over/Under

OVER 148.5 (-110), but it’s only worth a small-unit play. The last time these blue bloods met was Nov. 6, 2018, and Duke routed Kentucky 118-84. We won’t see quite that many points, but with the likes of Banchero, Moore and Williams, the Blue Devils should get off to a hot start.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @KevJErickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]

Kansas vs. Michigan State odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Tuesday’s Kansas Jayhawks vs. Michigan State Spartans odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks and Michigan State Spartans open the regular season in a neutral-floor battle Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Kansas vs. Michigan State odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

Kansas enters the new season with high expectations yet again. Head coach Bill Self welcomes eight new transfers, led by G Remy Martin, who comes over from Arizona State. F Ochai Agbaji is also back from injury, and is one of the best smaller forwards in the Big 12.

Michigan State enters this one unranked, but head coach Tom Izzo always gets the most out of his players. It’s the first time since the 2006-07 season that Sparty isn’t part of the preseason rankings.

Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.

Kansas vs. Michigan State odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:40 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Kansas -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Michigan State +160 (bet $100 to win $160)
  • Against the spread (ATS): Kansas -4.5 (-115) | Michigan State +4.5 (-107)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 143.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)

PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!

Kansas vs. Michigan State odds, lines, picks and predictions

Prediction

Kansas 77, Michigan State 68

Money line

A bet on Kansas (-200) will mean risking twice as much as your potential return, and that’s just too much, even if Michigan State (+160) isn’t quite expected to be a top-tier team.

AVOID, and look to the spread instead.

Against the spread

Play KANSAS -4.5 (-115), as the Jayhawks should be able to mesh quicker than Michigan State +4.5 (-107). Both sides have a lot of new faces they’ll be folding in, but the Jayhawks also have a fair share of talent from last season’s 21-9 team. They’re expected to get off to a quick start this season, and they’ll do just that.

Over/Under

The lean is to the OVER 143.5 (-112), although play it lightly. The concern with these early season neutral-floor games is that the players struggle in unfamiliar surroundings in larger arenas. That is a concern even with experienced teams. Kansas was good for 73.3 PPG last season, and they should be a lot more explosive with the addition of Martin.

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @KevJErickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News

Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]