Top College Basketball Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday, December 10th (2022)

Dec 10, 2022 - 12:49 PM

Can the Houston Cougars do what no one has done since Indiana in 1975-76 and finish a season undefeated? It sure does not feel like the Cougars will be challenged much in the AAC and have two massive non-conference games to test their mettle. The first is tonight against the No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide before next weekend’s showdown with No. 3 Virginia. That colossal matchup headlines what should be a fantastic day on the hardwood.

Here are our best bets for Saturday’s college basketball action. (Odds courtesy of DraftKings)

Oklahoma vs. Arkansas Spread

The Razorbacks get set for their first game without forward Trevon Brazile, who is now out for the season with a torn ACL. Brazile did not start for Arkansas, but his impact on the team is immeasurable. Brazile was the team’s leading shot blocker and rebounder, and in addition to Brazile’s elite rim protection, his presence will also be missed offensively. He was a matchup nightmare at the “4” position, with an ability to shoot from deep (37.9% from 3-point range) and the ball-handling skills to take big men off the dribble. That allowed Eric Musselman to pull opposing bigs away from the basket and free up driving lanes for his standout guards like Anthony Black and Nick Smith.

Oklahoma’s Groves brothers will look to take advantage of Brazile’s absence. Each shoots 50% or better from the floor, and their ability to operate without Brazile’s menacing presence will go a long way in the Sooners’ upset bid. Of course, we would not back the Sooners if this game were in Bud Walton Arena, but Oklahoma should have the crowd heavily on its side with the game in Tulsa.

Oklahoma is 6-0 ATS in its last seven neutral site games, and we expect another cover today.

Bet: Oklahoma +3.5 (-110 at DraftKings) 

Villanova vs. Boston College Spread

Cam Whitmore: “The Savior?” The Wildcats freshman has not officially been dubbed that yet, but he is a big reason the team has looked completely different over the last week.

Villanova’s 2-5 start was the school’s worst since 1991-1992, and its four-game losing streak was its worst since 2011-12. However, the Wildcats have gotten right for the moment with wins over Oklahoma and Penn, two underrated teams out of the Big 12 and Ivy League. And one cannot help but think the common denominator in those wins is the emergence of the stud freshman.

Whitmore is projected to be Villanova’s first “one-and-done” freshman since Tim Thomas, and in 44 total minutes thus far, he has scored 28 points while adding four steals. His most significant impact might be on the defensive end, as the Wildcats held Oklahoma and Penn to an average of 62.5 combined points. Thus, a Boston College team that has already lost games to Maine, Tarleton St., and New Hampshire should not provide much resistance for a surging Villanova squad.

Bet: Villanova -9.5 (-110 at DraftKings)

Auburn vs. Memphis Spread

Auburn’s 8-0 start has been ridiculed by some, as the eight wins have come via the 279th-ranked strength of schedule. However, a deeper dive into other metrics like strength of record, in which Auburn is seventh, suggests their resume to this point is, in fact, quite impressive.

Auburn is fresh off a 27-point dismantling of Colgate, one of the most experienced teams in the country. Defensively, Auburn ranks in the top 15 in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency, effective field goal percentage defense, and 2-point percentage and 3-point percentage allowed. Memphis is 3-1 SU against the four teams it has played that rank in the top 50 in adjusted defensive efficiency (VCU, Seton Hall, Stanford, and Mississippi). However, it has averaged just 63.8 ppg in those games, and Auburn has a lot more offensive firepower than those teams.

Bet: Auburn -1.5 (-110 at DraftKings)  

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