College Basketball Best Bets for Today, February 7th

Monday's college basketball is a bit quiet, but it's headlined by a Big 12 showdown between Texas and Kansas in Austin, which we'll have more on in a bit.

There are a few other highly ranked teams in action like Duke and Arizona, but let's hit on three of my favorite plays on Monday's hoops card.

Odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook

Column Record: 49-43-3 for +4.3 units.

George Mason (+7.5) vs. Richmond

I'm taking a risk on GMU possibly getting star big man Josh Oduro out of concussion protocol, but if he can't go I still believe the Patriots high octane offense that is best in the Atlantic 10 this season can keep pace with the Spiders.

From my game preview on this matchup:

Since Jan. 1, GMU is posting the 14th best effective field goal percentage in the country and the team has multiple paths to scoring both from the perimeter (53rd in 3P%) and at the rim (60th in near proximity field goal percentage per Haslemetrics). Richmond has a soft interior defense that is 247th at defending the rim and the likes of Josh Oduro can dominate down low.

Oduro is massive, but even accounting for his absence and some positive shooting regression, the soft interior of the Richmond defense makes me bullish George Mason can stay within this big spread.

PICK: George Mason +7.5, play to +6.5

Duke vs. Virginia OVER 128.5

It's never pretty backing a Virginia over, but this is one of the worst defenses Tony Bennett has had in his time in Charlottesville, and the Duke frontcourt of Paolo Banchero and A.J. Griffin can gash the pack line defense.

Meanwhile, Virginia can score against a fairly pedestrian Duke defense that has allowed a ton of looks from the perimeter all season, but are holding opponents to an ACC low 28% from three in conference play. With the Cavaliers playing catch up, I believe that Bennett can scheme up some open looks against an overrated defense.

Despite the limited possessions, I think we see both teams generate second chances and outscore their projections. For what it's worth UVA's offense is ranked 33rd in offensive efficiency per Barttorvik.com, since Jan. 1.

Read more on this ACC matchup here

PICK: OVER 128.5, play to 129.5

Texas (+1) vs. Kansas

I'll note I'm going to hold out for a +2 to pop on the Longhorns before I play it, but I will play Texas at PK or better by tip off.

While Kansas won big at home against Baylor, 83-59, ShotQuality actually projected the score much closer than that. Baylor missed on a ton of open looks and KU may be overvalued as a road favorite against a Texas team that is starting to find their form.

Chris Beard has had success against KU in the past and the team can pressure the Kansas ball handlers that are middle of the pack when it comes to protecting the ball. Meanwhile, Beard's Longhorns are sixth in the country in forcing turnovers and have a stellar interior defense.

Texas is starting to see some positive regression on the perimeter and Kansas is due to get gashed from deep, holding teams to a 27% three-point percentage in conference play. With their inability to force turnovers (last in Big 12 games), I believe the Longhorns can grab a massive home win as they look to find their footing heading into March.

PICK: Wait for Texas +2, play Texas PK or better

You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!