Five months without college hoops is over! College basketball is officially back, and we’ve got picks for the first slate of games. From Buy Games to the Sun Belt-MAC challenge, we’ve got plays you’ll want to take for the first day of games. Early lines can be among the most profitable of the season if you know what to look for. The lines are out, and there are at least three plays that you’ll want to make for today’s action.
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College Basketball Preview, Picks, and Best Bets for November 3
Villanova at BYU
Start Time: 9:30 PM EST
This matchup takes place at a neutral site in Las Vegas. Given the proximity to Utah and the hype around the BYU Cougars for the upcoming season, this is essentially a home game for BYU.
BYU comes into the 2025-26 season with three returning starters, the best overall recruit from last year’s class, and Baylor transfer Robert Wright III at point guard. The Cougars also have a deep bench with a nice mix of experience in the program, transfer portal gets, and quality recruits. This could be one of the best BYU basketball rosters in years.
Villanova starts year one of the Kevin Willard era. The Wildcats have almost an entirely new team with a few quality pieces, and a bunch of former Maryland guys, but there’s going to be a learning curve. This team hasn’t played much together, and their first real test is against a really talented BYU roster with a crowd that will side with the Cougars. BYU should win this one by double-digits. Lock up the Cougars in the TMZ game.
Best Bet: BYU -8
Green Bay at Kansas
Start Time: 8:00 PM EST
Green Bay and its part-time coach/part-time radio host travel to The Phog for a matchup with the Kansas Jayhawks.
Kansas returns big man Flory Bidunga, but not much else from last season. However, they have brought in a solid roster that will compete for a Big 12 title. Their starting point guard was rated as the second-best recruit in the nation and looks like a Freshman of the Year candidate. Point guard Darryn Peterson is 6’5″ with a 6’10” wingspan, and he’s lightning quick. Good luck getting anything past this kid for the Green Bay Phoenix. He can distribute, shoot, and slash. Peterson is about as complete as it gets for a true freshman.
Kansas also brought in Illinois transfer Tre White, St. Bonaventure transfer Melvin Council, Jr., and Loyola-Chicago transfer Jayden Dawson to round out their starting lineup. This version of the Jayhawks isn’t relying on a single big man to run their offense and anchor their defense. They’re also coming off a rough season by their standards, and will want to start the year with a message.
Green Bay travels with a few returning pieces, but their roster is mostly JUCO transfers, DII & DIII transfers, and freshmen. The Phoenix also has a coach who splits time between running a program and a radio show. Green Bay will likely come into this one underprepared and outmanned. Lock up the Jayhawks to roll at home in a game that will end up as a tone setter for the season.
Best Bet: Kansas -28.5
Detroit-Mercy at Illinois-Chicago
Start Time: 8:00 PM EST
Detroit Mercy comes to the Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago tonight, catching 9.5 points. UIC shouldn’t be laying 9.5 points to anyone, let alone the Titans.
Detroit Mercy returns four starters from last year’s team. Now, they won only eight games together last season, but they’ve all played a full season together. They also showed a bit of improvement last year. The program is entering its second year with head coach Mark Montgomery. The Titans also added a few depth pieces through the portal, and the team has a clear identity.
UIC brought back only two players from last year’s squad. Total. One starter and one redshirt-freshman are all that’s stayed with the Flames. Grad senior forward Abdul Momoh comes to UIC from Central Connecticut State and was the Defensive Player of the Year in the NEC last year. He’s the best get that the Flames bring in this year. UIC also has a few other transfers from bigger programs, but lacks the continuity that Detroit Mercy has.
The Flames are also in their second year with head coach Rob Ehsan, but lack the identity and familiarity that Detroit Mercy brings in. This is also a short travel spot to an arena that won’t exactly be filled to the rafters. Look for the Titans to stay competitive and keep this game within the number.
Best Bet: Detroit Mercy +9.5
The College Basketball Experience
For more analysis on every college basketball game for the 2025-26 season, make sure you tune into The College Basketball Experience. Colby Dant, Moneyline Mac, and Noah Bieniek talk about each game on the entire slate. Listen for input on ATS and moneyline college basketball picks every night!
