College Basketball Best Bets This Week: Just How Low Can DePaul Go?

Just when you think you've got a handle on college hoops, a team like Seton Hall comes along and makes you rethink everything you once held to be true. The Pirates pulled off one of the most notable head-scratching upsets of the 2023-24 NCAAB season on Saturday by downing No. 7 Marquette 78-75. It was the third win over a ranked opponent this season for Kadary Richmond & Co., who now find themselves firmly in first place in the rough-and-tumble Big East. Seton Hall will have a chance to prove those victories weren't a fluke later this week, when the boys in blue hit the road to take on a pair of big-time programs in Georgetown and Butler.

There's no shortage of other marquee matchups this week as all 353 Division I teams return to the hardwood. We've hand-picked the best games on college basketball's jam-packed schedule and have tasked our experts with providing analysis for each matchup. Below you'll find the latest odds along with a best bet for every game we're tracking. Let the games begin!

Best bet: Dayton +1.5 (-115 at Sports Interaction)

Dayton could be missing Kobe Elvis but even with suspect guard depth, I think they'll be able to eke out a tough win on the road here. Keep in mind that the Flyers have won nine of the last 10 meetings between these conference foes with six of those victories coming by double digits. The Flyers are 11th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency and do a much better job of passing the ball and knocking down shots than Duquesne. The Flyers are currently on a nine-game winning streak (5-4 ATS) while the Dukes have lost three of their last four and are just 1-7 ATS in their previous eight lined contests. It's also worth mentioning that KenPom has Dayton projected to win 72-69 and as important as Elvis is he isn't worth 4.5 points on the spread.

Best bet: DePaul team total Under 58.5 (-125 at bet365)

This an extremely low total but I'm confident that the Blue Demons will go below it since they've scored fewer than 59 points in four of their last six games. That includes a December 23rd clash against Villanova where DePaul scored just 48 points on 30% shooting at home. Now they're on the road vs a Nova squad that's 21st in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency and outside the Top 300 in adjusted tempo. DePaul might be the worst Power Conference team in the nation and ranks 252nd in adjusted offensive efficiency and 281st in average length of possession. When the Blue Demons miss shots they won't get many second chances since they also rank 348th in offensive rebounding rate (18.9%) while the Wildcats are 11th in defensive rebounding rate (79.2%).

Best bet: Iowa -3.5 (-108 at Pinnacle)

The Iowa Hawkeyes lead the conference in scoring, averaging 86.7 points per game. They’ve had 10 games this season where they scored at least 84 points with an average of 19.2 assists per game. Iowa needs a victory in the worst way and they meet a Nebraska side that has been terrific but is due for a letdown after blowing out Purdue. Even with the Hawkeyes' inability to close out shooters at the three-point arc, Nebraska shooting over 45% from downtown over their last three isn’t sustainable, and the uber-fast Hawkeyes will take those misses and turn them into enough buckets to cover the -3.5 point spread.

Best bet: Under 140.5 (-105 at 888)

The Broncos have been winning due to their stingy defense for the last few years and their recent stretch is no different. They're allowing 62.5 ppg in their last six games and are coming off a contest where they limited Colorado State's high-powered offense to just 58 points. Nevada has been better on defense than offense (ranking 31st in adjusted defensive efficiency compared to 57th on the offensive side of the floor) and sits outside the Top 200 in adjusted tempo. The Wolf Pack have been locking down lately, holding five of their previous eight opponents to fewer than 60 points and the Under is 7-1 in their previous eight lined games.

Where can I bet on college basketball?

You can bet on college basketball odds at every online sportsbook and casino. The best sites offer NCAA basketball point spreads, Over/Under totals, derivative bets, NCAAB futures and even prop plays as well. Check out our list of the best U.S. betting sites and sportsbooks in 2023 to find a location in your region.

Strategies for betting on college basketball

Betting on college basketball games can be exciting, but it's important to approach it with a strategic mindset. Here are some helpful tips to consider before laying down a wager:

Research teams and players: The college basketball landscape is always changing. Stay up to date on team rosters, NCAAB player injuries, and coaching changes to make the most informed decision possible.

Analyze team statistics: Review NCAAB team statistics such as points per game, field goal percentage, 3-point shooting, and defensive efficiency. Knowing is half the battle, especially when it comes to outwitting oddsmakers.

Study historical performance: Examine head-to-head matchups, recent game results, and trends between the teams. Some teams may have historical dominance over others. Just remember that not all trends are created equal. Try to rely on more recent data that takes into account the team's current personnel and playing style.

Home court advantage: Consider the impact of home-court advantage. Teams tend to perform better when playing in front of their home crowd, especially in places like Duke's jam-packed Cameron Indoor Stadium, where the frenzied fans are practically on top of the court.

Practice bankroll management: Set a budget for your betting activities and stick to it. Bankroll management is crucial for long-term success.

Shop for the best odds: Compare NCAAB odds from multiple sportsbooks to find the best value for your bets. Even a slight difference in odds can make a significant impact on your profits, particularly if you're placing larger wagers.

Play the long game: Betting on college basketball is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't get discouraged by short-term losses, and avoid chasing those losses with bigger bets.

AP Top 25 Rankings

Rank	Team	Record	Points
1	Purdue	14-1	1,566
2	Houston	14-0	1,486
3	Kansas	13-1	1,481
4	UConn	13-2	1,335
5	Tennessee	11-3	1,291
6	Kentucky	11-2	1,253
7	North Carolina	11-3	1,213
8	Arizona	12-3	1,107
9	Oklahoma	13-1	1,023
10	Illinois	11-3	924
11	Marquette	11-4	869
12	Duke	11-3	869
13	Memphis	13-2	843
14	Baylor	12-2	787
15	Wisconsin	11-3	663
16	Auburn	12-2	559
17	Colorado State	13-2	436
18	BYU	12-2	426
19	San Diego State	13-2	386
20	Utah State	14-1	241
21	Clemson	11-3	219
22	Creighton	11-4	187
23	Gonzaga	11-4	185
24	Florida Atlantic	11-4	165
25	Texas	11-3	148

Team rankings as of January 8, 2024. 

Biggest riser: Auburn moved up nine spots to No. 16 thanks to a pair of blow-out wins against Pennsylvania and Arkansas. The 12-2 Tigers are now firmly in first place in the SEC.

Biggest faller: Florida Atlantic plummeted seven spots to No. 24 following an ugly two-point loss to unranked Charlotte on January 6. The Owls have now lost two of their last three games and are in serious danger of disappearing from the AP Top 25 with another misstep.

The Associated Press (AP) Top 25 rankings are determined by a panel of approximately 65 sportswriters and broadcasters from various media outlets across the U.S.

Each voter is asked to submit a list of their Top 25 college basketball teams. They rank these teams based on their assessment of their performance, including wins, losses, and overall team strength. The rankings are submitted on a weekly basis during the college basketball season.

Once all the individual ballots are submitted, the AP compiles the rankings by assigning points to each team based on their position in the voters' lists. A team that is ranked first on a ballot receives 25 points, a team ranked second receives 24 points, and so on. The points are then tallied to determine the overall rankings.

The AP Top 25 rankings are released every Monday at noon during the college basketball season. 

Player spotlight: Savion Lewis (Quinnipiac)

There are point guards, and then there are point gods. Savion Lewis slots squarely into the latter category. A native of Long Island, the 6-foot-1 ballhandler is making a name for himself as a graduate student at Quinnipiac, where he's leading the nation in assists per game. Not only are his eight dimes per contest are a career-high, they're also a big reason why the Bobcats have clawed their way to a stellar 11-4 record and second place in the MAAC. 

It's one thing to simply set up teammates, as many guards around the country do, but Lewis has turned passing into an art form. His no-look dishes and laser-guided dimes always seem to find his teammates at just the right time, leading to clean looks and, more often than not, highlight reel finishes. Keep your eyes peeled this year for Quinnipiac's co-captain as he continues to show off his next-level vision.

12 points 18 assists I repeat EIGHTEEN assists for @savionlewis_

Stock is rising 📈📈 https://t.co/QRmWRUoUR1

— Hills East Basketball (@HillsEastHoops) January 6, 2024

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