College Hoops Saturday Handicaps
Photo Credit: Indiana University
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College Basketball Season Record: 69-65-7 — Betting 1 Unit to Win X
11:00am cst: LSU Tigers vs. Texas Longhorns -7.5; Total 142
We learned a lot about LSU in their loss to Kansas State last weekend. Texas should be able to dominate the rebounding battle and then win the game. This will be a neutral court game in Houston. LSU’s guards struggle against good defense and if Texas plays their typical tough defense I see them having no problem with LSU. The Tigers struggle with getting the ball inside, if Texas forces LSU to shoot threes they will run away with this one.
Pick: Texas -7.5 (-110) [via DraftKings]
11:30am cst: Kansas Jayhawks -7.5 vs. Indiana Hoosiers; Total 147
Last time out the Hoosiers were neck and neck with Auburn and out of nowhere they just got killed. Auburn made a ton of threes and it was game over. This will be Kansas’ first true road game. I think Indiana will bounce back here. The Hoosiers have the size inside to matchup with the Jayhawks but they will still need to keep Kansas off the 3PT line. I am buying low on Indiana after Auburn destroyed them.
Pick: Indiana +7.5 (-110) [via DraftKings]
1:00pm cst: Baylor Bears -3.5 vs. Michigan State Spartans; Total 144.5
This game will be Detroit at the Little Caesars Arena. Michigan State has been struggling losing three of their last four games. Baylor on the other hand is undefeated and has played a fairly decent schedule thus far. The Spartans are so lost right now from their guards to the big men. This Baylor teams is well rested and should be game for this one. This number is a bit short in my opinion. The Bears have one of the best players in the country in Ja’Kobe Walter who should have a great game.
Pick: Baylor -3.5 (-110) [via DraftKings]
1:30pm cst: Texas A&M Aggies vs. Houston Cougars -7; Total 130.5
Alright, the Aggies have shown us that they struggle offensively against good defensive teams. A&M has lost to FAU, Virginia and Memphis. Houston has one of the best defenses in the country and I believe they will give the Aggie offense trouble. This game will be played in Houston at the Toyota Center where the Rockets play as well. I’m backing the Cougars’ defense to stifle the Aggies. If the three ball isn’t falling for the Aggies they tend to struggle.
Pick: Houston -7 (-112) [via DraftKings]
2:00pm cst: Clemson Tigers vs. Memphis Tigers -2.5; Total 150.5
The Clemson Tigers remain undefeated and they put that record on the line in Memphis. Memphis just went on a killing spree on the road and they are back home for more. Clemson is relentless on the boards and they love to play defense. Do not leave Clemson open for three because they will shoot and eventually knock them down with ease. This is a great matchup because Memphis is almost a carbon copy in regards to defense and rebounds. The Tigers offense always worries me but I feel like they have figured some things out on their road trip as they post back-to-back 80 point games. I am also worried about Clemson as they are road warriors but I am betting their streak ends today.
Pick: Memphis -2.5 (-110) [via DraftKings]
2:00pm cst: Ohio State Buckeyes -1.5 vs. UCLA Bruins; Total 133.5
Are the Buckeyes contenders or pretenders? In my opinion OSU is very untested and their only claim to fame is defeating Alabama on a neutral. Bama is not even in our 24 Pack Rankings. UCLA on the other hand is coming off a tough road game against an emotional Villanova team. This is a very young UCLA team that will continue to get better as the season progresses. This game will be played in Atlanta so a true neutral court. I love UCLA here. Like I said, this Ohio State team may be a pretender living on hype defeating a Bama team back in November.
Pick: UCLA +1.5 (-110) [via DraftKings]
3:30pm cst: Arizona Wildcats -2 vs. Purdue Boilermakers; Total 159.5
Speaking of pretenders from the Big 10, the Purdue Boilermakers are not ready for this Arizona team. The Wildcats are our #1 rated team for good reason. Arizona has the size to give Zach Edey fits. It does not happen often but when the big Canadian must face players his own size that are more physical he usually ends up with the short end of the stick. Arizona guard play is also much better than what Purdue will be bringing. I believe this game will be played in the Pacers’ stadium so a neutral but practically home court advantage for Purdue. Give me the better defensive, tougher and more athletic team. I expect a big game from Arizona.
Pick: Arizona -2 (-112) [via DraftKings]
4:30pm cst: North Carolina Tar Heels -1.5 vs. Kentucky Wildcats; Total 165
North Carolina should be well rested as they have not played since their game against UCONN about 11 days ago. Kentucky will be away from home for the first time in awhile it feels like (not counting the Penn game). I have UNC rated #8 and Kentucky #10 so these teams are very close to each other. Kentucky can shoot the three and play defense but I am looking forward to seeing how they perform on the road. I like Carolina is rested and has not played since UCONN kicked their ass so I expect them to be ready for this game. They are also the more veteran squad. This is a big test for Kentucky as they lost to Kansas early in the year. I’m backing Carolina here. I like the bigger, veteran squad that has been tested all season. Make your damn FTs UNC!
Pick: North Carolina -1.5 (-110) [via DraftKings]
6:30pm cst: Cal Bears vs. Ole Miss Rebels -3; Total 139.5
This game will be played in San Antonio, Texas so a true neutral court. Cal has a couple players that Chris Beard may have recruited to Texas Tech in Tyson and Aimaq who are the Bears’ best players. I think the Cal offense will struggle against a strong Ole Miss defense. Cal has not seen a defense this good and when they did face a solid pressing defense (UTEP) they struggled. Give me the Ole Miss defense to give Cal nightmares.
Pick: Ole Miss -3 (-110) [via DraftKings]
ADDED PLAYS:
1:00pm cst: Georgetown Hoyas vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish -4; Total 137
After back to back home games, the Hoyas will be away from home where they have been struggling. Notre Dame needs to keep the Hoyas off the 3PT line and they will be successful. The Irish defense is underrated but the offense can struggle. I like them back at home, rested against a down Hoyas team.
Pick: Notre Dame -4 (-115) [via DraftKings]
2023-24 Futures Bets
[11/06/23 - preseason - via DK]
Arkansas Razorbacks 25/1
USC Trojans 35/1
Florida Atlantic Owls 40/1
Texas Longhorns 40/1
Baylor Bears 40/1
Texas A&M Aggies 55/1
Oregon Ducks 75/1
St. Johns Redmen 85/1
[11/20/23 - via DK]
UCLA Bruins 30/1
Mississippi State Bulldogs 150/1
[11/27/23 - via DK]
Oklahoma Sooners 150/1
[12/5/23] - via DK]
North Carolina Tar Heels 30/1
Florida Atlantic Owls 40/1
Texas Longhorns 55/1
Oklahoma Sooners 150/1
[12/16/23- via DK]
North Carolina Tar Heels 30/1
Oklahoma Sooners 60/1
