NCAAB · 1 year ago

5 Best Bets for College Basketball Wednesday: Alabama a Favorite?

David Connelly

Host · Writer

Washington (+2.5) vs. Colorado
Washington forgets how to play basketball whenever they leave Seattle, but they are a force in their home gym. A win over Gonzaga and an 8-2 home record this season are proof of that, and the back half of the season may be a great time to buy low on this Huskies team. Ranking second in the nation in Division I experience but 224th in minutes continuity, it's a lot of newer pieces meshing with loads of experience at this level. There is a case to be made that Washington could put things together for a run over the next month or so as they continue to build chemistry.
Western Carolina (-2.5) vs. UNC Greensboro
We've got a fun one tonight in the SoCon, with the two biggest contenders to topple Samford facing off in Greensboro for second place in the conference standings. The Catamounts enter off a two-game losing streak, but we see them bouncing back from excusable losses to Samford and a road game against Furman. WCU is 7-1 at home this season, with the Samford game as their lone home defeat, and we expect them to get back to winning ways on Wednesday night.
Alabama (-3.5) vs. Auburn
We're laying how many points with an unranked side against a top-ten team?!? Stop using the AP Poll to help determine your bets. It's the least predictive ranking system we utilize to date, and most metrics, including KenPom, have these teams very close to each other. Auburn is one of two teams projected to make the NCAA Tournament without a Quad 1 win on the resumé, and the atmosphere in Tuscaloosa may give them a hard time. The Tide are desperate for a signature win; this is where they get it.
Tulane (-6.5) @ UTSA
Tulane has dominated poor teams all season. In six matchups against sub-200 KenPom teams in 2023-24, the Green Wave has an average margin of victory of 24.3 points. They are coming off a massive home victory over Memphis on Sunday, and they seem to be hitting their stride at the right time. Head coach Ron Hunter is as upset-proof as they come and should be able to take care of this number, even on the road.
Illinois (-3.5) @ Northwestern
This line doesn't feel like it's accounting enough for the return of Terrence Shannon Jr. to the Illini lineup. He brings another dynamic to the team on both sides of the court, and his return is certainly worth a point or two. KenPom projects a four-point Illinois victory, and we're willing to fade a Northwestern team that has been Jekyll and Hyde all season long.
Washington (+2.5) vs. Colorado
Washington forgets how to play basketball whenever they leave Seattle, but they are a force in their home gym. A win over Gonzaga and an 8-2 home record this season are proof of that, and the back half of the season may be a great time to buy low on this Huskies team. Ranking second in the nation in Division I experience but 224th in minutes continuity, it's a lot of newer pieces meshing with loads of experience at this level. There is a case to be made that Washington could put things together for a run over the next month or so as they continue to build chemistry.
Western Carolina (-2.5) vs. UNC Greensboro
We've got a fun one tonight in the SoCon, with the two biggest contenders to topple Samford facing off in Greensboro for second place in the conference standings. The Catamounts enter off a two-game losing streak, but we see them bouncing back from excusable losses to Samford and a road game against Furman. WCU is 7-1 at home this season, with the Samford game as their lone home defeat, and we expect them to get back to winning ways on Wednesday night.