NCAAB · 1 year ago

5 Potential Upsets for Saturday’s College Basketball Slate

David Connelly

Host · Writer

Sam Houston State (+160) over Liberty
What a disappointing season it has been for Liberty. After such a promising preseason and start to the year, the Flames have flamed out, now sitting just .500 in the Conference USA, a rare sight for a program that has been so dominant in conference play for the past handful of seasons under head coach Ritchie McKay. The Bearkats are an impressive 5-0 at home in conference play this season, including a statement win over conference favorite Louisiana Tech last month. They've got the goods to pull this one off, and we're willing to fade the Flames at a decent price here.
Butler (+122) over Creighton
Just a few weeks ago, the Bulldogs surprised everyone by defeating the Bluejays in Omaha, a win that boosted their chances of making it to the postseason. Since then, Butler has shown strong performances against Marquette and UConn, even though they ended in losses. Now, playing at home, they have a chance to solidify their position away from the bubble. Butler's physicality and ability to handle the ball give them an advantage in this matchup, and we're inclined to support them, especially with the point spread in their favor.
Iowa (-104) over Wisconsin
They're a short dog, but we are convinced that Iowa needs to step up in a crucial moment sooner or later. Throughout the season, they've lingered just on the edge of bubble discussions, yet to make a significant move. This Saturday presents a prime opportunity as they face Wisconsin at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. We're inclined to bet against the Badgers, who have struggled in recent weeks, losing four out of five games, each by a considerable margin. The breakthrough moment has to arrive for Fran McCaffery's team, and we're predicting today to be the day it happens.
Marquette (+240) over UConn
Betting against UConn, especially on their home turf, is usually a risky move. However, the spread seems excessively large for a Marquette squad packed with talent. They've shown their prowess by clinching victories at challenging venues like Illinois, St. John's, Villanova, and Butler this season. This game presents a significant opportunity for Marquette to secure a top-seed position, and they're likely to approach it with determination. If Tyler Kolek maintains his recent performance level, the Golden Eagles will pose a formidable challenge for the Huskies in Hartford this Saturday. It's wise to take advantage of the generous spread in this matchup.
Southern Illinois (+184) over Indiana State
The Sycamores are a scary fade here, coming off a brutal defeat, but we're taking our weekly "best player on the court" angle here. Southern Illinois's Xavier Johnson is a must-watch if you have not seen him play yet. He's one of the best players in the Missouri Valley and is a walking bucket, ranking second in the nation in points per game. He is one of the very few players in the country capable of single-handedly willing his team to a victory over a team that is flat-out better. These are the guys to target when placing upset bets. Back the Salukis here and hope Johnson has a big day.
Sam Houston State (+160) over Liberty
What a disappointing season it has been for Liberty. After such a promising preseason and start to the year, the Flames have flamed out, now sitting just .500 in the Conference USA, a rare sight for a program that has been so dominant in conference play for the past handful of seasons under head coach Ritchie McKay. The Bearkats are an impressive 5-0 at home in conference play this season, including a statement win over conference favorite Louisiana Tech last month. They've got the goods to pull this one off, and we're willing to fade the Flames at a decent price here.
Butler (+122) over Creighton
Just a few weeks ago, the Bulldogs surprised everyone by defeating the Bluejays in Omaha, a win that boosted their chances of making it to the postseason. Since then, Butler has shown strong performances against Marquette and UConn, even though they ended in losses. Now, playing at home, they have a chance to solidify their position away from the bubble. Butler's physicality and ability to handle the ball give them an advantage in this matchup, and we're inclined to support them, especially with the point spread in their favor.