These are our best bets for college basketball Saturday, which features a full slate of exciting games. On Saturday, only two games really stick out as nice safe wagers to “bet the house on.”
There is no such thing as a sure thing, but these are the best bets.
George Mason Patriots at VCU Rams Picks
George Mason vs. VCU Betting Report
Best Bet: VCU -11.5
George Mason will hit the road for a weekend matchup with VCU on Saturday. The game is scheduled for a 2 pm ET tip.
In the previous meeting between these two this season, George Mason was able to keep the game close before ultimately falling, 66-61. The Patriots are a far different team on the road, however, as they are just 2-4 against the spread in true road games.
Their average margin of victory on the road is minus-7.5 points per game, which is the fourth-worst in the Atlantic 10. The Patriots’ performance against the spread on the road is also fourth-worst in the league, as they underperform the number by 2.8 points per game.
VCU, on the other hand, is currently the hottest team in the league, having won six consecutive games. Four of those wins have occurred at home, and three of those four home wins have been by double-digits.
The Rams are 6-3-1 against the spread at home and outperform the spread by an average of 2.7 points per game.
VCU’s Bones Hyland has become a legitimate star this season for coach Mike Rhoades, and George Mason is not good on defense defending the arc or holding teams from being efficient offensively. Look for him to have another stellar game.
When you combine typical performance against the spread, you get 5.5 points of potential deviation from the line in favor of the Rams. That is a bet worth making.
NCAA Basketball Betting LinesandFree CBB Picks
Illinois Fighting Illini at Minnesota Golden Gophers Picks
Illinois vs. Minnesota Betting Report
Best Bet: Illinois -5.5
Illinois has become one of the best teams in the nation behind the play of its star wing, Ayo Dosunmu, who has become one of the best players in the entire nation. The junior combo guard is averaging 20 points, five assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 48% from the floor and 44.7% from behind the arc.
In the last matchup between these two teams, Illinois big man Kofi Cockburn tore up Golden Gophers big man Liam Robbins to the tune of 33 points and 13 rebounds. Robbins is a nice big on the offensive end, but opposing centers have been chewing him up all season long. Look for Cockburn to have another big game.
Illinois has been decent against the spread on the season at 11-8-1. On the road, the Illini are 4-3 ATS and are outperforming the spread by 4.4 points per game with a margin of victory of 8.6 points per game.
Minnesota is very good at home under Richard Pitino, going 24-6 straight-up over the last two seasons. Illinois is currently hitting its stride and looking like a Final Four team, while the Gophers have lost five of their last seven.
Catch up on all the action with our NCAA basketball game recaps.
