Top College Basketball Picks and Predictions Today (Back Illinois, Seton Hall on Feb. 16)
Looking to get on some college hoops action on Wednesday?
You've come to the right place. BetSided's Ben Heisler and Reed Wallach have broke down some plays in college basketball for Wednesday, and here are some of their top predictions with all odds via WynnBET:
St. John's vs. Xavier Prediction and Pick
Like the Jefferson's deluxe apartment in the sky, this total is "movin' on up!"
After opening at a consensus 148.5, the line has shot up to as high as 150 at multiple books, but WynnBET still has it listed at 149.
Both of these teams play fast. The Red Storm own the second-fastest pace in the country, averaging 14.7 seconds per possession. Meanwhile, the Musketeers aren't far behind them at 16.7 seconds per possession, 47th fastest in college basketball and third in the Big East.
While Xavier's defense has been a calling card for much of the year, they've been put to the test lately in the Big East. They give up just over 65 a game, but over their past four games, Butler, DePaul, Seton Hall and UConn have all gone over that number against them.
St. John's is coming off one of their worst offensive performances over the weekend vs. UConn in a 63-60 loss. I expect them to make more shots in a bounce back effort as both teams look to dictate tempo on their terms.
LEAN: OVER 149 (-110) -- Ben Heisler
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Illinois vs. Rutgers Prediction and Pick
While Rutgers may have some magic cooking at home, I actually fancy the Illini in this matchup due to their ability to generate sound offense and stops in different ways. Around Cockburn, the Illini are top 65 in both three-point percentage and two-point percentage this season.
The team has a strong shot profile that is focused on high percentage two's around the rim with an elite big man in Cockburn and three's with someone like Plummer, who is shooting 40% from deep.
Further, on defense, the team runs teams off the 3-point line and into the length of Cockburn. That should be an issue for Rutgers, who is shooting 48% on two's this season which is around the bottom 100 nationally.
The Scarlett Knights are shooting red-hot from three in conference play up over 38% which is second best in the Big 10, but the Illini cut that shot off and should force the offense into a ton of inefficient shots.
While many are rushing to back Rutgers as home underdogs again after three straight wins over ranked foes, I am selling high on Steve Pikiell's squad against the best team in the Big Ten in my opinon.
PICK: Illinois -3.5 -- Reed Wallach
All of Reed's college basketball plays can be tracked here, his best bets column for college basketball is 62-57-3 for +2.2 units.
Seton Hall vs. Connecticut Prediction and Pick
UConn is a physical ball club that wins on the glass and by forcing teams into tough shots away from the rim, but struggle a bit late in games generating sound offense. You can also say the same things about Seton Hall, which is causing me to lean towards the visiting underdogs.
Both teams are top 25 in limiting opponents two-point field goal percentage and also do a great job of using their length to run teams off the three-point line. This should be a physical matchup that will come down to who can win on the offensive glass and get second chances at the rim, there's not much separating the two.
Both teams are near the bottom 100 in two-point offense, but UConn has the edge in the three-point shooting department. With that in mind, Seton Hall is better at defending the three, and have seen their numbers trending upwards in conference play while the Huskies have been around the same mark all season.
Ultimately, I see this game being close throughout and going down to who executes well in the half court, which we have seen be an issue for the home favorites this season.
LEAN: Seton Hall +5.5 -- Reed Wallach
Mississippi State vs. Alabama Prediction and Pick
I touched on this above, but Ben Howland's team has struggled in a particular situation this season, as an underdog and away from Starkville.
The team is 0-6 against the spread and straight up in true road games and as underdogs this season, which is something note worthy as they head on to Tuscaloosa on Wednesday night. While I do lean towards the Crimson Tide keeping the Bulldogs winless on the road, I actually see more betting value on the under.
The Tide play fast, but are trending downwards on offense, evident on Saturday when they had to scratch and claw to win 68-67 against Arkansas. The team plays at the 15th fastest pace in the country, but their effective field goal percentage is down to 48% in SEC play, 12th best in the conference. The team can't buy a bucket from deep and the visitors are an elite rebounding club.
Mississippi State likes to play slow and play inside the arc, ranking last in three-point rate in conference play. I expect coach Ben Howland is going to look to avoid getting into a track meet with Alabama and slow this game into the halfcourt, forcing the streaky Tide to shoot over their length defense.
This is all an endorsement for the under, as I believe the Tide's high powered offense is more a product of the speed at which they play rather than getting good shots. While the home team may win with margin, it will be under this expected total.
LEAN: UNDER 150 -- Reed Wallach