FEB 17 - Best Bets For Saturday's College Basketball (Feb 18th)

Best Bets For Saturday’s College Basketball (Feb. 18)

Written by on February 17, 2017

If you’re a college basketball betting lines aficionado that is looking for some value-packed matchups on Saturday’s full slate of NCAA hoops action, then you’ve come to the right place.
I’ve got a trio of picks on three Saturday matchups that are all offering some outstanding value for college hoops bettors looking to increase their annual betting bankroll.

With that said, let’s get started out in the west coast.

Best Bets For Saturday’s College Basketball (Feb. 18th)

Colorado Buffaloes (15-11) Vs No. 7 Oregon Ducks (22-4)

When: Saturday, February 18 at 3:00 PM ET
Where: Matthew Knight Arena, Eugene, Oregon
TV: FOX

Analysis:
The Oregon Ducks have won three of their last four games and eight of 10 overall and have the extra motivation of extracting some revenge for their loss against the Buffs earlier this season while simultaneously delivering a huge blow to Colorado’s slim March Madness tourney hopes.

The Ducks have covered the spread in three straight and seven of their last 10 games overall and will do so again by man-handling the Buffaloes from start to finish as they are undeniably the superior team at both ends of the floor and have the best player in this contest in Dillon Brooks.

Pick: Oregon 77 Colorado 70

No. 25 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (20-7) at N.C. State Wolfpack (14-13)

When: Saturday, February 18 at 12:00 PM ET
Where: PNC Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina
TV: ESPN

Analysis:
Notre Dame has won three straight and two straight over NC State, but that’s not why they’re the easy pick to beat the Wolfpack. You see, North Carolina State team is struggling mightily right now, having lost six straight and seven of their last eight games. Notre Dame has gone 2-0 ATS over their last two home games and 5-2 ATS over their last seven home dates overall.

More importantly, the Fighting Irish are the better team at both ends of the floor and have one of the best players in all of college basketball in Bonzie Colson. Keep it simple and back the Irish to win and cover the spread as a home favorite, likely between 6 and 8 points.

Pick: Notre Dame 82 NC State 73

No. 2 Villanova (25-2) at Seton Hall (16-9)

When: Saturday, February 18 at 12:30 PM ET
Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
TV: FOX

Analysis:
Villanova has won six straight and nine of their last 10 games and has a legitimate Player of the Year candidate in outstanding shooting guard Josh Hart (18.7 ppg). Seton Hall has won three of their last four games and picked up a fantastic 87-81 win over No. 25 Creighton on Wednesday night as Khadeen Carrington poured in a career-high 41 points to lead the Pirates to victory.

While Seton Hall is undoubtedly desperate right now, I don’t think it will matter against a clearly superior Villanova team that has won each of their last 10 meetings against Seton Hall. Villanova plays excellent defense as evidenced by the fact that they rank 16th nationally in points allowed (62.7 ppg) and they have a legitimate superstar in Josh Hart.

Villanova has failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games, but I like them to cash in as a slight road favorite against the Pirates of approximately 6-8 points.

Pick: Villanova 81 Seton Hall 70