College football might be coming to a close, but basketball is just getting started. A slew of title contenders are in action on Saturday, including 19 schools ranked in the latest AP Poll. With less than two months until Selection Sunday, the time is now for stars to step up. Here are my three favorite college basketball player props tonight on DraftKings Sportsbook:
Sean Pedulla 4+ assists (+135)
It’s not quite the Egg Bowl, but Ole Miss and Mississippi State still share hatred on the hardwood. This is one of the more significant basketball meetings between the two, as both schools are currently ranked. These rivals share some similarities, leaning on aggressive defenses and terrific back court play. For the Rebels, their offense revolves around senior and lead ball-handler Sean Pedulla. The guard has averaged a team-leading 13.9 points to go with 3.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
Mississippi State head coach Chris Jans will likely prioritize getting the ball out of Pedulla’s hands. While that strategy makes sense, it could also backfire. The Bulldogs have surrendered just 69.5 points per game, but they’ve allowed a middling assist rate of 51.2% per KenPom. If Pedulla takes what the defense gives him, there should be playmaking opportunities in this one.
Collin Murray-Boyles 17+ points (-110)
Saturday’s matchup between Oklahoma and South Carolina features two desperate teams. Both schools are still seeking their first conference victory of the season, having gone 0-4 so far. That doesn’t make either group ‘bad’ per se, as the SEC is filled to the brim with quality programs. If the Gamecocks have any hope of pulling out a win, they’ll need Collin Murray-Boyles at his best. The sophomore has been phenomenal this season, posting 15.6 points and 9.1 rebounds while shooting 59.4% from the field.
Oklahoma has difficulty stopping opponents, ranking 92nd in defensive efficiency according to KenPom. Those struggles have often come on the glass, as the Sooners rank 323rd in offensive boards allowed per game (11.9). A double-double machine like Murray-Boyles, averaging 2.4 offensive rebounds, should get easy buckets just by standing inside the paint. Expect the 19-year-old to carry South Carolina’s offense tonight.
Ryan Nembhard 11+ assists (+115)
Who doesn’t love some late-night player props? #16 Gonzaga suffered its worst defeat of the season, a 97-89 overtime loss vs. Oregon State. Still, the Bulldogs are a dangerous group, thanks in large part to the nation’s fourth-highest scoring offense (87.8 PPG). Leading the charge has been point guard Ryan Nembhard, averaging 11.5 points and a whopping 9.4 assists.
Gonzaga will look to bounce back tonight against a vulnerable West Coast Conference foe. This season, Santa Clara has given up 79.5 points per game, 244th in the nation. The Broncos’ biggest weakness is defending the pass, ranking 260th in opponent assists per game (14.4). A savvy guard like Nembhard is the perfect player to dissect a spotty defense; look for the senior to reach double-digit assists.
