It’s pretty exciting out there right now in college hoops, as teams jockey around to make their best case for a berth in the 2021 NCAA Tournament.

College Basketball Bookies

And it has also been a bizarre season. Some of the teams we’ll be talking about have experienced that first-hand, as they continue to drive toward the post-season.

They are part of a three-team parlay that we think is going to make you some money at America’s Bookie.

Xavier Musketeers at St. John’s Red Storm Picks

Musketeers vs. Red Storm Betting Report

Tip-off: 8:30 PM ET (Fox Sports 1)

College Basketball Betting Lines: St. John’s -2 (-105)

The previous meeting between these two was strange indeed. Xavier went 0-12 from beyond the arc, missed 13 free throws and committed 19 turnovers. yet they were still able to beat St. John’s 69-61 on the strength of a 57-39 rebounding edge and poor shooting from the Red Storm, which made just 36% from the field.

Since then a couple of things have happened, including a couple of long COVID-related delays for Xavier and a string of six straight victories for Mike Anderson’s Johnnies, until last Tuesday’s overtime loss to Butler. And some of the victims were nothing to sneeze at, as they included Villanova and UConn.

Xavier does a good job at defending without fouling, and that’s good, since St. John’s usually centers its offense around two-point shooting. The Musketeers also do a good job with ball movement, which presents a challenge for St. John’s, which likes to force turnovers, but perhaps also an opportunity.

Julian Champagnie is the best player for St. John’s, and he might just win the Big East scoring title (19.7 ppg). Posh Alexander is proving to be quite a freshman find, leading the conference in steals (2.7 per game) and getting better with each passing week. Between Champagnie, Alexander and Greg Williams, they shot just 8-for-31 in the previous meeting and are pretty thirsty for redemption.

Both teams are seeking credentials for a possible NCAA at-large berth, but what sticks out a little is that Xavier has only played twice in the last 37 days. That affects sharpness. So we’re okay with the short number.

The Play: ST. JOHN’S -2 (-105)

Free College Basketball Predictions

Nebraska Cornhuskers at Maryland Terrapins Picks

Cornhuskers vs. Terrapins Betting Report

Tip-off: 7 PM ET (Big Ten Network)

College Basketball Betting Lines: Maryland -9.5

Yes, it’s been a tough season for Nebraska, which has had to deal more than most with COVID-19. Coach Fred Hoiberg, who’s had two heart operations, caught it, and was, in his own words, “scared.” The Huskers are a poor shooting team, especially from the free throw line (63%), which is surprising, since Hoiberg was an 85% shooter from the line in his NBA career.

Even though it’s been dismal, Nebraska has shown some life lately. They took fifth-ranked Illinois to overtime before losing, and that came despite shooting only 38% inside the arc. Then they turned around and beat a Penn State team that is a lot better than its record, breaking a 26-game Big Ten losing streak.

Maryland will probably have to win about every game to make a case for the Big Dance, and they present potential problems for opponents because they have some people who can guard every position. But considering that these teams will meet again tomorrow night, there might be some starters taking a seat early for the Terps, and a back door possibility for a Huskers squad that may be ready to show us even more improvement.

The Play: NEBRASKA +9

College Basketball Betting Lines

LaSalle Explorers at Saint Louis Billikens Picks

Explorers vs. Billikens Betting Report

Tip-off: 9 PM ET (CBS Sports Network)

College Basketball Betting Lines: Saint Louis -16

Well, it looks as if this is a revenge play for Saint Louis, as they took an 82-75 loss to the Explorers on February 3. In that game, LaSalle shot almost 50% from the field and got to the line 26 times, including a 13-of-15 performance by Sherif Kenney.

That’s something the Billikens will do; they will foul you and let you go to the line. In fact, 40.4% of the points scored against them come from the charity stripe. Whether LaSalle, which shoots just 67% from there, can duplicate that output remains to be seen.

By and large, you figure that if LaSalle is going to win, it is going to be with three-point shooting, If there’s anything they do reasonably well on offense, it’s that. And that is not the strongest part of Saint Louis’ defensive arsenal (allowing 34.2%). But the Bills will likely own the glass, which is important.

Travis Ford’s team is more than adequate shooting the ball, though not necessarily sensational. When they suffered that previous loss, it was acknowledged that they were playing for only the second time after a long layoff. And they have come back since to defeat St. Bonaventure, Rhode Island and Fordham. LaSalle, which has lost four of its last five, has ten double-digit losses.

Still, we think this is a hefty impost for a team that does not emphasize shooting triples, which have the ability to stretch margins. So we’re more comfortable being “on the take.”

The Play: LaSALLE +16