As Selection Sunday approaches, teams are jockeying to secure their bids to this year’s Big Dance. Today, our experts are focusing on some bubble teams, notably a Colorado squad that probably needs to put together a good conference tournament run to punch its ticket. Let’s dive into our top college basketball picks today as we break down our expert bets for Tuesday, including a Colorado-Utah prediction. If you’re hungry for more picks, check out our other sportsbook promotions for March Madness.
NBA Picks Today: Expert Bets for Thursday, March 14
College Basketball Expert Pick #1: North Texas-Tulane Prediction
North Texas ranks ahead of Tulane in most major efficiency metrics, despite playing at least five games without John Buggs, CJ Nolard and Rubin Jones.
Jones and Buggs both shoot over 40% from three, giving North Texas legitimate offensive weapons.
Even with the absences, North Texas still ranks 36th in defensive efficiency, which dwarfs Tulane’s 219th-ranked defense.
With additional height advantages, North Texas should roll past Tulane today. I’m backing them to cover as 5.5-point favorites for -110 via BetMGM.
College Basketball Pick: North Texas -5.5 -110 at BetMGM
Expert: Matt Gajewski
College Basketball Expert Pick #2: Arkansas-South Carolina Prediction
OddsShopper’s Caesars is offering a bet for +100 when the rest of the market is trading at -115 — and Pinnacle, a sharp book, lists this same bet at odds of -122.
Using a market-based betting approach can feel weird, but it’s profitable. Between the start of the NBA season and the All-Star Break, the model recorded an ROI of 8.6% on all NBA player prop bets wagered 12 hours before tip and 5% on those wagered two hours before tip.
College Basketball Pick: South Carolina Under 74.5 +100 at Caesars
College Basketball Expert Pick #3: Utah-Colorado Prediction
Colorado is sitting directly on the bubble, and a loss to Utah isn’t going to help their chances in the eyes of the committee. Fortunately for the Buffs, they come in with a six-game winning streak and the deadly 3-point shooting should be able to put a lot of pressure on this Utes’ defense.
Utah has lost two of its last three, including a game to Oregon State, and despite being a decent squad, I think they are overmatched against Colorado in this spot. The line has been on the move all morning, but I’m grabbing one of the last remaining -3.5’s even at a little extra juice
College Basketball Pick: Colorado -3.5 -120 at FanDuel
Expert: Ben Rasa
