We are back for another day of College Basketball. Every game, from thrilling conference rivalries to intriguing non-conference matchups, offers an opportunity to uncover a winning edge. Here is my College Basketball Pick for December 18!
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College Basketball Picks December 18
UConn -13.5 vs. Xavier
The Huskies are back on track after a brief losing streak during the Maui Invitational. On Saturday, they picked up another huge win against Gonzaga. Since then, they have had three days off, which is very meaningful. This season, UConn is 4-0-1 against the spread when they have two or three days of rest between games. The Huskies are also at home for this one, where they are 4-1 against the spread.
On the other hand, Xavier hasn’t beaten any quality teams and has lost to about every solid team they have played. The Musketeers also last played on Saturday, meaning they have equal rest as the Huskies. Xavier is 0-5 against the spread when facing teams of equal rest, losing to the spread by an average of 16.6 points in those matchups.
UConn will come to play in this one against a Xavier team that doesn’t impress me.
Marquette -14.5 vs. Butler
Here’s another Big East matchup with a similar point spread. Like the last one, I love the home favorite. Both teams are also in an equal rest situation, having last played on Saturday. Marquette is 5-1 against the spread when facing a team with equal rest, while Butler is 3-5. With two or three days of rest, Marquette is 6-2-1 ATS, compared to Butler’s 2-5.
If these trends haven’t sold you, Marquette is simply the much better team with one of the best players in the country in Kam Jones. They are KenPom’s ninth-ranked team in the nation and Bart-Torvik’s 13th-ranked team. The Golden Eagles will roll in this one.
The College Basketball Experience
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