Wednesday’s College Basketball Best Bets: An SEC Double-Dip

The college basketball calendar is in full tilt, and with the calendar nearly turning to March, each game has significant consequences. Tonight’s schedule is full of exciting games and meaningful conference clashes.  

Here are SportsGrid’s favorite picks for Wednesday’s college basketball action. 

Have all the intel you need? Free actionable info is one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

7:00 p.m. ET – Auburn at Tennessee

Spread: Tennessee (-5.5) | Moneyline: – | Total: 151.5

Where to Watch: ESPN2 | Location: Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN

The night’s best matchup is No. 11 Auburn traveling to No. 4 Tennessee. The Volunteers lead the SEC with a conference record of 11-3, tied with the Alabama Crimson Tide. Auburn is one game back at 10-4. Tennessee has gotten hot, winning six out of their last seven games, including blowout wins by 29, 35, and 35 points. The Volunteers are averaging 80.3 points per game and holding opponents to only 66.6 points per game. Auburn is coming off a 21-point triumph at Georgia, but SportsGrid is confident in Tennessee’s ability to hold serve at home.

The model projects Tennessee to cover comfortably, winning the game by 10.5 points with the spread set at 5.5. The point total is listed at 151.5, and with both teams averaging in the 80s, playing the over makes a lot of sense. The SportsGrid model has this game finishing at 154.3 points and gives the over a five-star projection.

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Tennessee (-5.5) and OVER 151.5 | SportsGrid Projections: 5-stars

9:00 p.m. ET – Alabama at Ole Miss

Spread: Alabama (-6.5) | Moneyline: Alabama (-255) | Total: 166.5

Where to Watch: ESPN2 | Location: The Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, MS

The Alabama Crimson Tide need to get back on track after allowing 117 points on the road against Kentucky and losing sole possession of first place in the SEC. The Tide have now surrendered at least 90 points in four of their past five games and, despite averaging 91.1 points per game (second most in the country), have dropped two of those five contests. They travel to flailing Ole Miss, losers of five of their past six games. The Rebels are on the bubble and have a losing record in the conference. This is a crucial game for both sides, and the SportsGrid model sees one side as the clear winner.

The model loves the Crimson Tide, projecting the Tide to roll by 13.5 points and easily covering the 6.5-point spread. That number more than doubles the posted spread and makes the moneyline a five-star bet. Ole Miss only averages 75.1 points per game, and the model does not see the Rebels keeping up with the Alabama offense.

SportsGrid’s Best Bets: Alabama (-6.5) and Alabama (-255) | SportsGrid Projections: 5-stars

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