If we were handicapping the schedules for college hoops, this Thursday night slate would qualify as a ‘look-ahead’ spot to Friday night. The schedule for November 12th has a few matchups that are worth having action on, but it’s not nearly as good as what we get on Friday night. The best advice? Never get caught looking ahead. Focus on the handicap in front of you, and look for the right angles to play. We’ve found three college basketball picks that you’ll want to get in on before we get into Friday night.
Looking for a sportsbook to bet on our college basketball picks? Check out MyBookie.ag!
College Basketball Preview, Picks, and Best Bets for November 12
Matt Dewoskin ATS College Basketball Picks Record (Est.November 2, 2026)
All Selections: 15-15
Perfect 3-0 Cards: 2-8
Bradley vs Coppin State
Start Time: 6:00 PM EST
This game will be played at the MacArthur Center in St. Petersburg, FL.
Coppin State enters this game with a 1-2 overall record and a 1-1 mark against the spread. The Eagles stayed within 27.5 points against George Mason in their most recent game on November 9th.
Bradley comes into this matchup with a 1-1 overall record and a 0-2 mark ATS. The Braves lost at home as a short favorite to Pacific and failed to cover as a 9.5-point underdog at Davidson.
Coppin State comes into this season as a bottom-10 program in the country. The Eagles return two players from a team that won seven games last year. Coppin State is also at the start of their yearly World Tour. The Eagles will spend the next four weeks traveling to play power schools. They won’t play their second home game until December 7th.
Coppin State may not be as bad as they were last year, but they’re still going to finish in the bottom half of the MEAC this year. The Eagles aren’t a disaster on defense, but they are really poor on the offensive end.
Bradley has looked rough in each of the Braves first two games. However, they played a pair of teams that might rank among the top-100 defenses in the country. Bradley only returns one starter from last year, but they’re known for developing internally and have several players in their rotation taking a step into larger roles. Bradley’s offense should find open space against a leaky Coppin State defense. The Braves should be able to get right against a team that just about every bigger school gets right against. Lock up the more talented Braves squad to roll against Coppin State today.
Best Bet: Bradley -9.5
Oklahoma State at Texas A&M
Start Time: 8:00 PM EST
Oklahoma State comes into this game with a 2-0 overall record and a 2-0 ATS mark. The Cowboys won and covered as a heavy favorite against Incarnate Word and Queens.
Texas A&M enters this matchup with a 3-0 overall mark and a 2-1 ATS record. The Aggies failed to cover as a massive favorite against Alcorn State in their season opener.
Oklahoma State won this game outright as a 2.5-point underdog in Stillwater, OK last season.
The Cowboys have the pace and shooting to stay with Texas A&M. Both teams play at a high tempo. They both try to pressure their opponent on defense. These teams also work to generate turnovers and catch opponents in transition. Texas A&M is a bit more aggressive in terms of pace and pressure, but we’ve seen that work against the Aggies in the past.
The Cowboys only return one starter, but it’s point guard Kanye Cleary. Cleary is the engine that makes Oklahoma State run. He’ll be surrounded by a few rotation players from last year stepping into bigger roles and a few transfers. The Cowboys have shot the ball really well from the field this year, while Texas A&M has yet to find their groove despite dropping on UL-Monroe and Northerh Kentucky.
Texas A&M has forward Cade Phillips listed as questionable. He’s the only injury listed for either side.
Oklahoma State seems pressure in every practice, so they shouldn’t struggle from a stylistic approach. The Cowboys should be able to keep this one close and they look like one of the better plays on today’s short slate.
Best Bet: Oklahoma State +7.5
New Mexico State at UTEP
Start Time: 9:00 PM EST
New Mexico State comes into this matchup with a 1-1 overall record and a 0-1 mark ATS. The Aggies got wrecked by Gonzaga in their only game with a line so far this year.
UTEP enters this game with a 1-1 overall mark and a 1-1 ATS record. The Miners lost outright to Northern Kentucky in their home opener, but won and covered against Incarnate Word as a large favorite.
New Mexico State won by four in this matchup last year, but UTEP covered as a 6.5-point underdog.
The Aggies return two starters from a team that went 16-16 overall. Both players should start in New Mexico State’s back court. The Aggies had to rebuild their roster this offseason. They pulled in players from just about every level, but their starters should be returning players or transfer portal gets from other mid-majors.
UTEP comes back with zero starters from last season. The Miners had to rebuild the majority of their roster. New Mexico State has a clear advantage in the post and has experienced guards to facilitate. UTEP has struggled to score this year and they have issues cleaning up the glass. New Mexico State has been a bit more consistent on the glass and on the offensive end.
Both teams like to slow it down and play the half court game. This game should be a bit slower and more deliberate than other games on today’s slate. This looks like a one or two possession game on paper, and New Mexico State is catching almost two possessions. Let’s not overthink this and take the points.
Best Bet: New Mexico State +5.5
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 every night for ATS and moneyline college basketball picks!
