Top NCAAB Betting Picks of the Week – December 27th Edition

Duke has returned to the top of the nation’s college basketball power rankings this week, perhaps on the strength of reputation (as Tennessee also has made it this far with just one loss), but Duke has beaten Auburn, Indiana, Kentucky and Texas Tech, while Tennessee has beaten Louisville and Gonzaga (who did beat Duke). There are still five undefeated teams in the nation, including Michigan (who has beaten North Carolina and Villanova), Virginia and Nevada. We will see over the course of conference play if Duke is really deserving of that top slot, but they have picked up enough quality wins so far. They don’t play again until January 5, taking a two-week break from action. Heading into this weekend, let’s take a look at your best NCAAB betting picks from college hoops.

Top NCAAB Betting Picks of the Week – December 27th Edition

Duke is once again the No. 1 team in college basketball. Michigan is No. 2. Tennessee is No. 3. Full/latest AP rankings here: https://t.co/7wcrSechub

— CBS Sports CBB (@CBSSportsCBB) December 24, 2018

Saturday, December 29

Davidson at North Carolina (12:00pm ET, ESPN2)

Davidson started the season in fine form, taking down Wichita State in one of its early wins, but they have dropped two out of three, including a 77-75 overtime loss to Temple. They did win by 34 points over Central Penn on December 22, with six players in double figures, but now they come out of a Christmas recess with a matchup against #14 North Carolina. In their loss to Temple at the Air Force Reserve Basketball Hall of Fame Boardwalk Classic, Davidson led by six points with 1:32 left in overtime, but they gave up a pair of three-pointers to lose the lead late. They will need a lot better defense to take down one of the ACC’s top programs on the road. The heat is rising under North Carolina coach Roy Williams — who just signed an eight-year contract extension. Freshman Nassir Little, a blue-chip recruit who is projected to go in the NBA lottery in the draft this year, has not started a game and is getting fewer minutes than many think he should get. The Tar Heels have struggled to maintain their elite status, falling by eight to Kentucky on Saturday. Cameron Johnson scored 17 for the Tar Heels in the loss, and Luke Maye added 16. They lost the rebounding battle by 11 and gave up 18 turnovers, leading to 23 points for the Wildcats. Can Davidson mount a similar challenge? NCAAB Betting Prediction: North Carolina 81, Davidson 71

Nevada at Utah (2:00pm ET, Pac-12 Network)

Undefeated Nevada sits at 12-0, with their biggest win so far coming over then-#20 Arizona State. They beat Akron by six in their last outing on Saturday, behind 19 points each from Jordan Caroline and Caleb Martin. Despite the win, Nevada has been clanking from downtown lately, making just 27 of 112 over the last four games, and they started out 0 for 11 from behind the arc against the Zips. With two more wins, though, the Wolf Pack can match their best start in the history of the program, dating back to 1951-52, when they started 14-0. However, they have trailed by at least seven points at some point in the first half in five consecutive games. Utah comes in with a 6-5 record, taking some big losses (such as the one against Kentucky two weeks ago) but also routing some lesser programs (as in a 29-point win over Florida A&M and a 14-point win over Northern Arizona. Sedrick Barefield has moved from the starting lineup to serving as the sixth man, and he scored 15 points and dealt out six assists against Northern Arizona in that new role. Riley Battin scored 13 points and Timmy Allen added a dozen. Utah continues to struggle in transition defense, so if Nevada can take advantage, they should put up win #13. NCAAB Betting Prediction: Nevada 77, Utah 70

Wednesday, January 2

Texas Tech at West Virginia (7:00pm ET, ESPNU)

Texas Tech suffered a 69-58 loss at Duke last Thursday in a game they led at Madison Square Garden at halftime, and they have a tune-up on Friday against UT-Rio Grande Valley before opening Big 12 play up in Morgantown against West Virginia. Texas Tech comes in ranked #11 in the nation and looked solid on defense, even against Duke, as their shutdown unit is one of the top in the nation. In that loss, Jarrett Culver scored 25 for the Red Raiders, who turned the ball over 15 times in the first half alone. It was clear that the Red Raiders have the talent to move into the elite ranks but do not yet show the execution that they will need to make a deep March Madness run. The Red Raiders’ next test comes in Morgantown, one of the toughest venues in college basketball. West Virginia plays a full-court attacking defense they call “Press Virginia,” but they have only had middling results so far this season, posting a 7-4 record and barely escaping Jacksonville State by a 74-72 score on Saturday. Lamont West scored 18 and Brandon Knapp added a dozen, but defensive star Sagaba Konate missed the game with a knee injury — so make sure you check the latest injury reports before locking in your wager. The team’s leading scorer, Esa Ahmad, is currently in a battle of wills with coach Bob Huggins, and he only played four minutes in this game, all in the first half. West Virginia’s gym will be rocking on January 2, but will the Mountaineers have figured their problems out? NCAAB Betting Prediction: Texas Tech 80, West Virginia 74