Best Bets for Saturday’s College Basketball Slate: A Top 20 Clash & an ACC Showdown

We get you geared up for an electric Saturday slate in college basketball with loads of AP Top 25 teams in action, including a top 20 matchup between some high-end programs in primetime. We break that down and an intriguing ACC showdown in this Saturday’s edition of best bets!

Let’s examine the matchups, including tip times, television coverage, betting odds, a brief preview of what to watch, and the best bet.

More CBB: UConn Season Preview | St. John’s Season Preview | Marquette Season Preview

How to Watch Wake Forest vs. #25 Clemson

• TV: ESPN | Streaming: ESPN App
• Time: 2:00 p.m. ET  |  Location: Littlejohn Coliseum – Clemson, SC

Wake Forest vs. #25 Clemson FanDuel Odds

• Spread: Wake Forest +8.5 (-102) | Clemson -8.5 (-120)
• Moneyline: Wake Forest (+320) | Clemson (-420)
• Total: OVER 134.5 (-110) | UNDER 134.5 (-110)

It’s turning into desperation time for Wake Forest, who is in dire need of an important win to bolster their resumé after a rough start to the season. Knocking off a talented Clemson team would be enough to get them back onto the map and earn them some respect in the ACC.

A major contribution to the early-season struggles for the Demon Deacons has come from beyond the arc. After shooting 36.4 percent from three with a lot of the same shooters a season ago, they are down to just 26.6 percent so far this season, a regression that we believe will eventually return to the norm. 

It’s a wager on a pendulum swing, but we don’t believe this Wake Forest team is this poor. Three-point shooting can determine the outcome of many games, and it just hasn’t quite been there for Forbes’s crew to start the year. Take the hefty amount of points here and hope that Wake Forest can hang around.

The Pick: Wake Forest +8.5 (-115)

How to Watch No. 16 Purdue vs. No. 2 Auburn

• TV: ESPN | Streaming: ESPN App
• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET  |  Location: Legacy Arena – Birmingham, AL

No. 16 Purdue vs. No. 2 Auburn FanDuel Odds

• Spread: Purdue +8.5 (-102) | Auburn -8.5 (-120)
• Moneyline: Purdue (+350) | Auburn (-465)
• Total: OVER 149.5 (-110) | UNDER 149.5 (-110)

A top-20 matchup graces the slate in the middle of the afternoon down in Birmingham as Auburn hosts Purdue. The Boilermakers have been a competitive squad despite the loss of National Player of the Year Zach Edey, and that’s thanks to guard Braden Smith. The junior is averaging 13.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 8.5 assists and is the team’s clear leader in minutes at 35 per contest. He is a triple-double threat every time he steps onto the court and could cause some problems for the Auburn backcourt.

As for the Tigers, Johni Broome is the name to know here. The current frontrunner for National Player of the Year, no teams have found an answer for his paint dominance this year. The offense runs through him as a versatile big who has not only shown the ability to score and rebound but also pass out of the post and even step out and knock down some triples.

Matt Painter and Purdue just have a knack for showing up in these spots. The Boilermakers are a ridiculous 13-2 straight up against non-conference foes ranked inside the KenPom top 20 dating back to the 2021-22 season. Between coaching pedigree, team leadership, and overall talent, there is enough here for Purdue to hang around and stay within the number.

The Pick: Purdue +8.5 (-102)

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.