We have a huge card on Saturday, as college basketball starts to ramp up on a football-free weekend. While we have some terrific rivalry and revenge spots on the slate, there are also some monster spreads that I’ll probably wind up staying away from. Here are a few college basketball picks I’m starting off with for Saturday.
Florida at Tennessee (12:00pm ET)
This would normally be a Tennessee spot, as the Vols are coming off a home loss to Kentucky as a double-digit favorite this week, and seeking revenge for a blowout loss in Gainesville earlier this season. However, I just can’t buy into how this Tennessee team is playing right now, and to make matters worse, the Vols’ floor general, Zakai Zeigler, is going to miss this game with a knee injury. The senior point guard is averaging 12.4 points and 7.3 assists, and his absence will be felt against a Gators squad that has three terrific guards. Florida should hang around in this one, even in a tough road atmosphere out for revenge.
College Basketball Pick: Florida +4.5 (-110) 1-unit
Pittsburgh at Wake Forest (12:00pm ET)
While Pitt is having a solid season, going on the road has not been kind to the Panthers. While they are 3-3 straight up, the competition hasn’t been all that tough, as they sit just 1-5 ATS in those games. This will be a tougher road test against the Demon Deacons, who are 10-1 at home. Pitt isn’t playing its best ball of late, going 1-5 ATS in its last six overall, while Wake is riding a 6-1-1 ATS run. The trip to Winston-Salem also hasn’t been kind to the Panthers over the years, as Wake has won six in a row at home in this matchup. With the Panthers off a big home win over UNC, and Wake coming off consecutive losses as a sizable underdog, this is a great get-right spot for Wake to grab a win on its home floor.
College Basketball Pick: Wake Forest ML (-135) 1-unit
Creighton at Villanova (1:00pm ET)
Creighton heads into Philly red hot on Saturday afternoon, winners of six straight and riding a 9-0 ATS streak. So, of course, we’ll be going against the Blue Jays here. Maybe even more impressive, Creighton has a win over UConn during that streatch as a large underdog, and is 5-1 ATS in its last six road games. Meanwhile, Villanova is just 1-4 SU/0-5 ATS over its last five games. However, this is a desperation spot for the Wildcats, who are 9-1 in their last 10 at home. ‘Nova matches up pretty well with Creighton, and I expect to see the Wildcats at their best in this one.
College Basketball Pick: Villanova ML (-140) 1-unit
Kansas at Baylor (4:00pm ET)
Kansas has not been playing to its ceiling of late, and I’m not sure a trip to Waco is the spot we’re going to see the Jayhawks make the improvements they need to. Kansas is 1-4 ATS in its last five, and also 1-4 ATS in its last five against Baylor — 1-4 in the last five trips to Waco, going back even further. Baylor isn’t playing its best basketball, and still has some key injuries, but off a road loss in overtime to BYU, I’m expecting a strong start in this game. The Bears are 11-1 in their last 12 at home, and still have plenty of elite talent in their starting five. Because Baylor is a bit thin, I’m going to play them on the first half line here to avoid foul trouble or fatigue against a deeper Kansas team.
College Basketball Pick: Baylor 1H ML (-130) 1-unit
Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app on Apple or Google!
Put your knowledge to the test. Sign up for DraftKings and experience the game inside the game.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
The contents contained in this article do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment.
