With college basketball in full conference swing and college football officially coming to an end, it’s time to turn our eyes to the hardwood. With games tipping at 11:30 AM today and running all the way to 1:00 AM on Sunday (thanks Hawaii), this means hours to make some money. Luckily, I’ve been honed in on college basketball since the jump, so if you’re late to the game I’ve got you covered. Below I’ve included some of my best bets on this Saturday filled with hoops. These might not be the big matchups, but they are the ones I’m most confident about. Put some money down, enjoy your day, and don’t blame me for losses, rather praise me for wins. Note: my picks are in italics if you don’t feel like reading the explanation and I’ll also make the team I’m picking first to avoid confusion. Second note: all tip times are Eastern. Cry about it.
New Hampshire (-3.5) vs. UMBC- 11:30 AM tip
We start as mentioned before at 11:30 AM. Hurry up and get this one in to start the day hot. Most people remember UMBC for its win over Virginia in the NCAA Tournament and having an elite Twitter presence. But as for the team in 2020? Struggling. The Retrievers are 7-11 this season, 0-3 in the America East. On the other side, New Hampshire is almost as bad, sitting at 8-9 overall and 1-3 in conference. However, I like the way the Wildcats get at it defensively and are also the better rebounding team. They also have the best scorer on the court in Nick Guadarrama. I like the Wildcats to win this one going away.
No. 2 Baylor (-6) at. Oklahoma State- Noon tip
This line is way too small, but I understand why. Noon tip, road game for Baylor. Coming off the biggest win of the season at Kansas. But Bears head coach Scott Drew will not allow his team to enter this game unprepared. Right now, Baylor is the best college basketball team in the country, with Duke and Gonzaga close behind. The Bears enter Stillwater riding a 13 game winning streak and I don’t expect it to end here. They play a brand of basketball that is just so fun to watch. Man to man, switch, help each other out defense and an offense that has come to life. Oklahoma State has been putrid since a strong start to the season. The Cowboys can play defense, but they can’t score enough to take care of Baylor. This looks like a huge mismatch on paper because it is. Grab the Bears.
Army (-2) vs. Loyola (MD)- 1:00 PM tip
I know. You’re thinking, “Luke, why these weird games?.” Honestly, I saw this line and had to have it. Both these teams are pretty bad. But Loyola comes in losing four in a row, while Army got back on track with a strong win over Holy Cross, a game in which they shot 53% from the floor. I really like the combination of Tommy Funk and Matt Wilson for the Black Knights to try and turn their season around. Loyola’s Andrew Kostecka is a matchup nightmare, but it’s a lot easier to defend when you know he’s the only one producing for the Greyhounds. Never bet against the troops. I like Army to win comfortably.
Campbell (-8) vs. Longwood- 2:00 PM tip
You throw out the records when the Longwood Lancers and Campbell Fighting Camels meet, two of the best names in the college basketball game. But in all seriousness, Campbell has pieced together a solid 10-7 season, they just haven’t figured it out in the Big South conference, entering Saturday at 1-4. The Fighting Camels shoot the ball and defend better than the Lancers and play more to their 10-7 overall record than their 1-4 conference record. In a matchup that will depend on the guards, I like Campbell’s Cedric Henderson Jr and Jordan Whitfield better than Shabooty Phillips and Jaylon Wilson for the Lancers. That being said, Shabooty Phillips might be the best name in hoops right now. Unfortunately for him and Longwood, it won’t be enough. Campbell wins this game by double digits.
Arizona (-6) vs. No. 20 Colorado- 2:30 PM tip
To cap off our slate of five, I’m taking Arizona against a ranked, solid Colorado team at home. The Buffs enter play following a big road win against Arizona State. That being said, Colorado hasn’t been tested much away from home this season and notoriously struggles away from the CU Events Center. On the flip side, Arizona is averaging 87.3 points per game at home this season and are 9-1 straight up inside its own arena. I just love this young, talented roster for the Wildcats. Zeke Nnaji, Nico Mannion, Josh Green… the list goes on and on. Although Colorado seems like the better team this season, the Buffs have never won at Arizona, nor come within seven points. Grab Arizona to cover inside McKale.