We made it, Super Bowl weekend is finally here; a very bittersweet time of year. The excitement of the big game is followed by the realization that the NFL gets packed away until August. While I am sure many of you, like myself, are up to your ears in Super Bowl prop bets, I took to Saturday’s college basketball board on the eve of the big game in hopes of finding some value. Three weeks ago we were fortunate to go 2-1 cashing a pair of unders and dropping LSU +4 against Tennessee. I have circled three games on this Saturday’s healthy slate of action which I think have value. Without further ado, let’s dive in and hopefully cash some tickets.
Odds via Draftkings Sportsbook
College Basketball Picks: Best Bets for Super Bowl Eve (Saturday, February 12th)
College Basketball Picks: #16 Ohio State vs. Michigan
Time: 6:00 p.m. EST
TV: ESPN
Spread: MICHIGAN -2
Total: 141
The first thing that sticks out to me here is just how efficient Ohio State has looked scoring the basketball this season. The Buckeyes are ranked eighth in the nation in terms of overall field goal percentage. Michigan’s defense is solid, but they are just a middle of the pack in terms of defensive field goal percentage. The Wolverines come in at just 81st in the nation in this metric. This puts Michigan just slightly better than your average D1 school in this metric. Another advantage the Buckeyes should look to exploit here is their ability to rebound the basketball. Ohio State has been especially efficient on the offensive glass. They are sixth nationally in converting their second chance opportunities.
Ohio St isn’t the only team in this matchup that has performed efficiently on offense this season. The Wolverines rank just behind Ohio State in terms of field goal percentage at ninth. I expect Michigan to attack Ohio State from the perimeter as they come in 34th best team in the nation in converting three-point attempts. This could prove advantageous against a Buckeye squad coming in with the 133rd ranked perimeter defense, allowing teams to shoot almost 33% this year.
Neither team plays too much of a pace which is why I think we see a lower set total in this one. I think both teams should be able to find success offensively and expect both teams to get to the mid-70s here.
College Basketball Bets Bets: Ohio St vs. Michigan Over 141
College Basketball Picks: Air Force vs. San Diego State University
Time: 8:00 p.m. EST
TV: CBSS
Spread: SDSU -18.5
Total: 114
Air Force is winding down what has been a fairly disappointing season for themselves as they have really struggled this year offensively. Air Force comes into this contest against San Diego State with the 299th ranking in terms of offensive efficiency. This is going to be an uphill battle as SDSU has the 3rd best team in the nation in terms of defensive efficiency. The Aztecs of San Diego are also rank 3rd in the nation in terms of defensive field goal conversion rate. If that wasn’t bad enough for Air Force, I anticipate San Diego State to have a significant advantage on the boards as well. Air Force is converting their second chance opportunities at just the 331st mark nationally. Air Force has averaged just 50 points per game over their last eight road games and none of them were against a defense like they’ll face Saturday.
The saving grace for this Air Force team is their defense has been somewhat serviceable. Air Force is ranked 161st in terms of total defense, nothing great but far better than the other end of the court for them. They’ve been able to defend the perimeter well, coming in with the 48th lowest opponent three-point percentage. Air Force has also been solid at taking the ball away coming in at 69th nationally in terms of takeaway percentage per Kenpom. I expect the Aztecs to do most of the scoring here and win comfortably as the 18.5 point spread would indicate. However, I think this game given Air Force’s offensive struggles, should FLY under. Get it?
College Basketball Bets Bets: Air Force vs. San Diego State Pick: UNDER 114
College Basketball Picks: #22 Saint Mary’s vs. #2 Gonzaga
Time: 10:00 p.m. EST
TV: ESPN2
Spread: Gonzaga -16
Total: 148
I am pretty excited about this one. This should be a solid defensive battle on both ends of the floor. Saint Mary’s will provide a good defense challenge for Gonzaga here as they come in 20th nationally in defensive efficiency. The Zags also come in with the nation’s 47th best defensive field goal percentage mark. Really the only other team that comes close to matching Saint Mary’s efficiency on defense would be Texas Tech. Gonzaga played Tech back on Dec 18th and scored a season-low 69 points, on a neutral floor.
Gonzaga is even better defensively as they rank seventh in the nation in terms of defensive efficiency. The Zags have made it difficult for opposing offense all year long as they rank fourth in the nation in terms of defensive field goal rate. Lastly, Gonzaga has been a menace on the defensive glass ranking 33rd in the nation in limiting opponents’ second chance opportunities. Saint Marys comes in 160th in second chance conversion rate, giving the Zags a significant edge on the glass at least on the defensive side of things. Offensively, Gonzaga fairs about average in terms of second-chance opportunities. Zags are just 123rd in the nation in terms of offensive rebounding percentage per Kenpom. Saint Mary’s has performed much better on their defensive end of the glass as well boasting the nation’s 27th ranking in terms of opponents’ second chance conversion rate.
Interesting note on the pace here as we get two very conflicting tempos. Gonzaga plays lighting fast, 3rd fastest pace in the nation. On the other hand, Saint Mary’s plays a much slower pace coming in at the 346th ranked team in terms of pace. I think the talent on both sides of the ball will force Gonzaga to slow things down to get their best possible look. If you couldn’t already tell, I am on the under in this one.
College Basketball Bets Bets: Saint Mary’s vs. Gonzaga Under 148
