The college football regular season has wound down, and now we’re waiting through those weeks that lead up to bowl season. In the meantime, the college basketball season is picking up, and programs who had started the season with cupcake opponents are now playing tough schools from other conferences or getting underway with their conference schedule. Let’s take a look at some of your best College Basketball betting options for this week.
The Mustangs of Southern Methodist have knocked off then-#2 Arizona and then-#15 USC so far as they have gotten out to a 6-2 record. Their losses, to Northern Iowa and Western Kentucky, came in the Bahamas tournament (sandwiched around that win over Arizona). They have traditionally owned TCU in this rivalry, but the Horned Frogs bring in some quicker guards than they have in years past. SMU used a stifling defense to make USC settle for jumpers in the second half of their game on Saturday night, controlling the boards. But can SMU beat a ranked team on the road? It’s been some time since they accomplished that.
College Basketball Betting Score Prediction: SMU 74, TCU 70
Top College Basketball Betting Picks of the Week – December 4th
Duke is the unanimous No. 1 team in the AP top 25 for a second consecutive week. https://t.co/zcCBTy0FFf
— CBS Sports CBB (@CBSSportsCBB) December 4, 2017
Monday, December 4
Florida (-9) at Florida State (9:00pm ET, ESPN2)
Florida State has roared out to a 6-0 record and picked up their last win, 78-73, over Rutgers in their last tilt. The Seminole offense has been fairly stout this year, as the team has averaged 88.8 points per contest, shooting 51.7 percent from the floor. Terance Mann leads the team in scoring at 15.3 points per contest, but this team has shown real balance this year, as despite the fact that the Seminoles hung 78 on Rutgers, only two players hit double figures. They take on a Gator team that is 5-1, but that one loss is nothing to be ashamed of, as it came at the hands of Duke and only had a three-point margin. Jalen Hudson sparked the Gators against the Blue Devils, going 10 for 20 from the floor, posting 24 points and grabbing 10 boards. Hudson is the Gators’ leading scorer with 21.7 points per game, but they also have strong play inside from Egor Koulechov, who averages seven boards per game. Florida’s offense has been electric this season, as they lead the nation with an average of 99.5 points per game. I see Florida putting up a ton of points, but given that this is a rivalry game, I see the Seminoles covering. College Basketball Betting Score Prediction: Florida 94, Florida State 91Tuesday, December 5
Villanova vs Gonzaga (7:00pm ET, ESPN, Madison Square Garden, New York City)
This game opens the annual Jimmy V Classic and features two programs that have some questions to answer about their viability as contenders this year. Villanova won the national title two years ago, and Gonzaga advanced to the Final Four last season. However, both of these schools have gotten a reputation for needing tougher nonconference competition, so this game is an excellent example. Gonzaga lost to Florida in double overtime, but they have knocked off Texas, Creighton and Ohio State. They have six players averaging double figures and they play a stifling defense. Villanova is still looking for a marquee opponent after their Bahamas tournament saw Arizona eliminated early and their wins came over Northern Iowa and Tennessee. Villanova relies on quick ball movement and screens to get drives and open jumpers, and Gonzaga’s defense will give them all they want. College Basketball Betting Score Prediction: Gonzaga 78, Villanova 72SMU at TCU (9:00pm ET)
The Mustangs of Southern Methodist have knocked off then-#2 Arizona and then-#15 USC so far as they have gotten out to a 6-2 record. Their losses, to Northern Iowa and Western Kentucky, came in the Bahamas tournament (sandwiched around that win over Arizona). They have traditionally owned TCU in this rivalry, but the Horned Frogs bring in some quicker guards than they have in years past. SMU used a stifling defense to make USC settle for jumpers in the second half of their game on Saturday night, controlling the boards. But can SMU beat a ranked team on the road? It’s been some time since they accomplished that.
College Basketball Betting Score Prediction: SMU 74, TCU 70
