Top College Basketball Picks and Predictions Today (Predictions for Providence-Xavier, LSU-Kentucky and More)
The BetSided team is going all in on college basketball with the NBA still in the All-Star break, and we've got four picks for some big matchups on Wednesday night.
Joe Summers, Peter Dewey, Donnavan Smoot and Matt De Saro have been previewing games on tonight's slate, but here are a few of the top predictions for Wednesday's action, with all odds via WynnBET:
Ole Miss vs. Auburn Prediction and Pick
Since conference play started, Auburn is 2-3 ATS with double-digit spreads. While they are a great team, I think tonight may be a bit much for the Tigers. The Rebels aren't one of the most explosive offenses in the conference, but they are one of the most efficient. They are top five in effective field goal percentage and 3-point percentage.
Auburn, while great, has been inconsistent lately. The Tigers have gone 2-2 in their last four games and are coming off a loss to Florida. Maybe the motivation kicks in after losing a very winnable game, but I still think the Rebels will have just enough offense to avoid getting beat this badly.
The Rebels are 3-1 this season as double-digit underdogs. That trend holds today against an Auburn team trying to get back on track.
Lean: Ole Miss +16 (-110) -- Donnavan Smoot
You can find Donnavan Smoot’s full betting record here.
Xavier vs. Providence Prediction and Pick
Oh baby, I'm fired up for this one. Providence has been my favorite team to bet on all season while Xavier has been one of my favorite squads to fade. I absolutely love Friars Head Coach Ed Cooley and think they have a strong, deep roster capable of making a run in the NCAA Tournament. I'm sitting on a long-shot ticket on them to win the title and will rock with Provi until I can't anymore.
So that being said, fire up the wagons because it's a good day to be a Friar! Now, I have to admit that Providence is 0-5 against the spread (ATS) in their last five home games, but with such a modest spread we really only need them to win to get the cover barring a wild finish. And at home, they almost always win. They're 14-1 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center with their only loss being to Villanova, who is pretty darned good.
Xavier has lost three of their last four on the road and are just 4-11 ATS in their last 15 overall. Every time I watch them, I come away frustrated with how bad they are at free throws in close games. They rank 179th in free throw shooting percentage while Providence is ninth nationally in free throw rate. In a close game with a home whistle, getting to the line and knocking those shots down is crucial. This was the difference in the first contest, with Providence shooting 19 free throws to Xavier's 10 in a game that was decided by three points.
The Friars' defensive strength is on the interior, where they're 47th in defensive 2-point shooting percentage. You have to shoot well from outside like Villanova did to beat Provi at home. Xavier is decidedly not that team. They're 236th in the country in three-point shooting percentage and were just 4/18 from beyond the arc in that first matchup.
If there's a concern for my Friars, it's that senior leader Al Durham likely won't play due to a sports hernia. But they didn't have him in their last matchup against Butler either when they overcame a 19-point deficit to win in overtime. That kind of glorious comeback win is what gives a team confidence to move forward while their star sits. Between Nate Watson, Jared Bynum, Noah Horchler, and A.J. Reeves, Providence has enough depth to withstand another game without Durham.
I'm all over the Friars in this one to improve to 14-0 as a home favorite and send the Musketeers to 4-12 ATS over their last 16. Clear eyes, Friar hearts, can't lose.
Pick: Providence -1.5 (-110) -- Joe Summers
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.
LSU vs. Kentucky Prediction and Pick
LSU took the first matchup between these two teams in a game that Wheeler missed, and it’s worth noting that LSU”s defense is one of the few that can keep the Wildcats’ offense in check.
LSU is 12th in opponent effective field goal percentage, and eighth in opponent field goal percentage, holding teams to 38.1% shooting this season. While the Wildcats are ninth in the country in points per game and 10th in field goal percentage, I could see this being a low-scoring game if Washington and Wheeler are unable to suit up.
The last game between these two teams produced just 125 combined points, and I think this total is way too high with Kentucky’s injury questions.
Give me the under in Lexington on Wednesday.
Lean: Kentucky-LSU UNDER 142.5 (-110) -- Peter Dewey
Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.
Boston College vs. NC State Prediction and Pick
Both teams are coming off unexpected wins and it will be interesting to see which team is best able to keep the momentum rolling.
The Eagles' win over the Seminoles gets higher grades in my book and I think the Wolfpack was playing far worse before their recent win than the Eagles were. The ATS records tell that story with the Wolfpack just 1-7 ATS in their last eight games and haven’t covered a game at home since Jan. 22 against Virginia.
As a home underdog, they are 1-3 ATS on the year and 3-12 overall at the PNC Arena. The Eagles, meanwhile, despite the extended losing streak, covered three of their last four games and five of their last eight.
While NC State does have an edge in the overall offensive and defensive rankings, the margin is slim. And with the way they have been playing lately, I trust BC to cover this game against a weak conference opponent.
Lean: Boston College +6.5 (-110) -- Matt De Saro
Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE.