Top College Basketball Picks and Predictions Today (Kansas State, UNC and Norfolk State Among Top Picks)
Looking to get in on the final games of the regular season in college basketball?
The BetSided team has you covered, as we have some of the top predictions from Reed Wallach and Joe Summers using the odds via WynnBET Sportsbook for Monday's action:
Syracuse vs. North Carolina Prediction and Pick
This could be a look ahead spot for the Tar Heels, who play at Duke on Saturday in the regular season finale, but I think their size and dominant home court play is too much for the Orange.
Syracuse's zone defense has been gashed at times this season and Armando Bacot provides enough rebounding prowess to overwhelm the opposite. The Orange are bottom 20 nationally in defensive rebounding rate while Bacot is 37th in the country in offensive rebounding rate.
Jim Boeheim's team is an elite 3-point shooting team, but I do trust the length and speed of the Tar Heels to challenge them and make it one-and-done given UNC's top five defensive rebounding unit nationally.
The hosts have beaten ACC foes that are outside the KenPom's top 75 by over 14 points per game and boast a top 10 home court rating per Haslemetrics. There's something special at the Dean Dome for the Heels, who have been able to win with margin at home against inferior competition.
Not to mention, Syracuse is bottom 20 in away rating as the team struggles to travel and matchup very poorly with the Tar Heels. This is setting up for a blowout win for UNC.
PICK: North Carolina -7.5, play to -8.5 -- Reed Wallach
All of Reed's college basketball plays can be tracked here, his best bets column for college basketball is 75-73-3 for -1.75 units.
Kansas State vs. Texas Tech Prediction and Pick
It's never easy going up against the second best defense in the country, but Kansas State held up well against Texas Tech at home last month, winning 62-51. However, this TTU team is different at home and will surely be looking forward to getting some revenge, but can they win with the necessary margin to cover the spread?
Kansas State has fine guard play with the likes of Marquis Nowell and Nijel Pack. Bruce Weber's team is best in the Big 12 in turnover rate and are more than capable from beyond the arc, shooting the second best percentage in conference play.
This game can be a bit of a rock fight with limited possessions, but this number feels a bit inflated given the success of Texas Tech at home this season. The Wildcats have been a strong team to back as underdogs, 10-4-1 ATS, including winning as double digit underdogs at Texas last month. This just feels like too many points in a game I have projected closer to -10.
LEAN: Kansas State +12 -- Reed Wallach
You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!
North Carolina Central vs Norfolk State Prediction and Pick
Both of these teams have been friendly to bettors. Norfolk State is 13-8-1 against the spread (ATS) and 5-2-1 at home, while North Carolina Central is 5-2 ATS over their past seven as an underdog.
The Spartans rely on a stingy defense and repeated trips to the free throw line to overpower opponents. They have the 23rd-lowest opposing effective field goal percentage thanks to the 47th-ranked 2-point defense and 29th-best 3-point defense. Their offense is middling, but their 10th-highest free throw rate means they generate enough opportunities at the charity stripe to get by.
North Carolina Central, on the other hand, ranks outside the top 260 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. They're a strong offensive rebounding team and get to the free throw line at a high rate as well, but their 353rd-lowest defensive free throw rate means the Spartans should live at the line in this one.
At just 1-3 ATS over their last four as a road underdog, North Carolina State struggles in unfriendly environments while Norfolk State excels in these situations.
In the first matchup, the Eagles shot 10/25 from beyond the arc while Norfolk State was only 12/23 from the free throw line. I expect both those figures to regress and think the Spartans get their revenge here.
Pick: Norfolk State -8.5 (-110) -- Joe Summers
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.