According to non-college hoops fans, college basketball doesn’t start until the week after the Super Bowl. We’re actually only five weeks from Selection Sunday. However, that’s over a month away, and we have a slate of games today to bet on today. The numbers have been crunched, the matchups have been broken down, and we have three college basketball picks that you’ll want to lock up before games tip off tonight. Let’s get into it.
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College Basketball Preview, Picks, and Best Bets for February 9
Matt Dewoskin ATS College Basketball Picks Record (Est 11/3/2025)
All Selections: 143-131-5
Perfect 3-0 Cards: 13-80
Northwestern State at Lamar
Start Time: 7:00 PM EST
Northwestern State enters this matchup with a 6-18 overall record and a 1-13 mark on the road. The Demons 12-10 against the spread overall and 8-6 ATS on the road.
Lamar comes into this game with a 12-12 overall record and a 7-5 home mark. The Cardinals are 11-11 overall ATS and 4-6 ATS at home.
Lamar has won seven of the last 10 head-to-head matchups in this series. However, Northwestern State has gone 6-2-1 ATS against Lamar over that stretch.
Northwestern is 2-8 in their last 10 games played, but they’ve gone 6-4 ATS over that stretch. The Demons have also covered four of their last six conference road games. Lamar is 5-5 outright and 5-5 ATS over their last 10 games.
The handicap here is simple. Northwestern State hangs around in these games, but isn’t good enough to really beat anyone. They lose often, but they don’t really get blown out. The Demons are usually within one-or-two possessions of their opponents, and they’re catching more than three possessions here. On the metrics side, these Southland Conference teams are tough to break down because their buy game stats are counted. Lamar is the better team, but Northwestern State has shown they can be chippy on the road. They only lost by two at SFA as a double-digit road underdog.
Let’s lock up Northwestern State to keep this one within the number like they always do.
Best Bet: Northwestern State +7.5
Delaware State at NC Central
Start Time: 8:00 PM EST
Delaware State enters this game with a 6-16 overall record and a 1-11 mark on the road. The Hornets are 7-11 overall ATS and 3-9 ATS on the road.
NC Central comes into this matchup with an 8-13 overall record and a 6-3 home record. The Eagles are 9-8 overall ATS and 2-3 ATS at home.
NC Central is 8-2 in the last 10 head-to-head matchups with Delaware State. They’ve won and covered in two of the last three games played.
Delaware State just lost by 18 points to Coppin State. Coppin State is one of the 10 worst programs in the nation this year. They’ve failed to win or cover in three straight road games.
NC Central is 5-5 in their last 10 games overall, but 6-4 ATS over that stretch. They beat Coppin State and covered as a 6.5-point road favorite.
On the offensive end, Delaware State is measurably one of the worst teams in the nation. The Hornets are one of the poorest shooting teams in the nation, and they play at a snail’s pace. Delaware State averages 58.8 points per game this year. That’s dead last in the nation. NC Central isn’t very good, but the Eagles are better than Delaware State in almost every aspect. NC Central is the better-shooting team, more efficient, and better at protecting the basketball. The Eagles should roll. Lock up NC Central to win by double-digits.
Best Bet: NC Central -8
Northern Iowa at Murray State
Start Time: 10:00 PM EST
Northern Iowa enters this game with a 15-9 overall record and a 3-5 mark on the road. The Panthers are 12-11 overall ATS and 5-3 ATS on the road.
Murray State comes into this matchup with an 18-7 overall record and an 11-1 home mark. The Racers are 14-11 overall ATS and 8-4 ATS at home.
Northern Iowa is 4-2 head-to-head and ATS in this series. They won and covered two out of three matchups last year.
Murray State is 5-5 ATS in their last five, but 3-2 ATS at home over that stretch. Northern Iowa is also 5-5 ATS, but 1-4 ATS on the road over that stretch.
This is a national TV game, and Murray State lost two out of three against Northern Iowa. The Racers are in the mix for the Missouri Valley Conference regular season championship, but need every game to catch up to Belmont.
This is also a true clash of styles. Murray State has a top-20 offense in the country and plays at pace. Northern Iowa is a bottom-50 scoring team and slows the game down. The Panthers also have the best scoring defense in the nation. Murray State has by far the better shooting team, and they get to play on their floor. The Racers are also the better rebounding team, and they make their free throws.
Everything is pointing to a Murray State smash spot. The pace of this game will accelerate at times, and Murray State will take advantage, make shots, and run away from Northern Iowa. It wouldn’t be a shock to see Murray State win this by double-digits. Lock up the Racers at home to win and cover the five points.
Best Bet: Murray State -5
The College Basketball Experience
For more analysis of every college basketball game in the 2025-26 season, tune in to 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!
