NCAA Basketball Betting Picks & Underdog Plays: Best Ranked Teams

The AP Top 25 for the week came out and the Purdue Boilermakers remain the top team in the nation. Alabama fell a few spots while Tennessee made a huge move forward. Arizona got back into the Top 5 after a stunning, dominant, victory over Pac-12 rival Washington. Check out the updated AP Top 25 along with this week’s top College Basketball Betting opportunities.

AP Top 25 College Basketball Analysis & Betting Opportunities for the Week

2022-23 NCAA Men’s College Basketball Season

When: Nov. 7, 2022 – March 12, 2023

AP Top 25

Purdue
Tennessee
Houston
Alabama
Arizona
Virginia
Kansas State
Kansas
UCLA
Texas
Baylor
Gonzaga
Iowa State
Marquette
TCU
Xavier
Providence
St. Mary’s
Florida Atlantic
Clemson
Indiana
San Diego State
Miami
UConn
Auburn

This week’s best play and best second play among the top 5

Top Play: Arizona

The reason to make Arizona the top play to win the NCAA Tournament this week is because the Cats beat Washington State and Washington playing two very different styles.

AZ used defense to beat WASU 63-58. Then versus Washington, Arizona scored 95 points in a 95-72 road win. Few teams are as flexible to play two contrasting styles the way the Cats can.

Second Play: Houston

Houston bounced back from a 56-55 loss to Temple to dominate Central Florida 82-71. The victory over UCF is a sign that like AZ, Houston can change styles if required.

The Cougs followed up the win over the Knights with a 75-69 victory over rival Cincinnati. Houston is starting to open up the offense, which should help them in the tournament.

This week’s best play and best underdog play 6 to 15

Top Play: Baylor

Since losing 3 straight to Iowa State, TCU, and Kansas State, Baylor has rolled. The Bears head into the week on a 6-game winning streak.

In their last 3, Baylor has beaten Oklahoma, who dusted Alabama over the weekend, Kansas, and Arkansas.

Top Second Play: Kansas

Like rival Baylor, the Jayhawks were on a 3-game losing streak before their last. Rock Chalk fell to Kansas State, TCU, and Baylor.

But in their last, Kansas beat Kentucky 77-68 in a road game. Rock Chalk Jayhawk is back on track.

This week’s best play and best underdog play from 16 to 25

Top Underdog Play: Xavier

Sometimes, a program fits a coach like a glove. Sean Miller coached Xavier before taking the job at Arizona. Now back at Xavier, Miller has the Musketeers playing excellent ball.

Xavier lost to DePaul and Creighton in 2 of their last 4. But the Musketeers made up for the losses with a stunning 82-79 road victory over UConn.

Second Underdog Play: Clemson

The Tigers have won 10-of-11. Overall, Clemson is 18-4. The reason they don’t rank higher is because Duke and North Carolina aren’t playing great ball.

But Clemson is for real. So if you want to back one of the two top teams in the ACC at this point in the season, Virginia is the other, throw money behind Clemson.