The college basketball action is coming thick and fast at the moment, with conference tournaments taking place across the country. If you’re planning to bet on today’s games, be sure to check out my recommended NCAA basketball picks for Thursday. March 9th.
Arkansas Razorbacks at Auburn Tigers
Best Bet: Auburn Tigers +1.5 (-105)
The Arkansas Razorbacks head into Thursday’s showdown with the Auburn Tigers on a three-game losing streak, having fallen to the Alabama Crimson Tide, Tennessee Volunteers and Kentucky Wildcats. When you look at the bigger picture, the Razorbacks have lost five of their previous seven outings.
Granted, the Tigers have also struggled for consistency of late, but they have still managed to win three of their last six games. Sitting two places above Arkansas in the Southeastern Conference, Auburn will be confident of inflicting a fourth successive defeat on the Razorbacks.
Oklahoma State Cowboys at Texas Longhorns
Oklahoma State vs. Texas Picks
Best Bet: Texas Longhorns -6 (-110)
Having won eight of their past 13 encounters, the Texas Longhorns occupy second place in the Big 12 Conference. At the opposite end of the standings, the Oklahoma State Cowboys find themselves third from bottom following a run of five losses in seven games.
The Longhorns boast the second-best offensive record in the Big 12 this season, having racked up 2444 points across 31 games. For that reason, I’m confident that Texas will cover the spread against the Cowboys, whose season looks set to end in disappointment.
North Carolina Tar Heels at Virginia Cavaliers
North Carolina vs. Virginia Picks
Best Bet: Virginia Cavaliers -2.5 (-115)
The Virginia Cavaliers find themselves second in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a record of 23-6. Not only have the Cavaliers won six of their last eight encounters, but they have also won 13 of their previous 16, maintaining the best defensive record in the conference.
There is no denying that the North Carolina Tar Heels have upped their game of late, winning four of their past five outings, but they still sit five places below Virginia in the standings. With that in mind, I expect the Cavaliers to dispatch the Tar Heels on Thursday.
Stanford Cardinal at Arizona Wildcats
Best Bet: Arizona Wildcats -8.5 (-110)
Having lost just six of their 31 games this season, the Arizona Wildcats find themselves second in the Pacific-12 Conference. Better still, no team in the Pacific-12 has scored more points than Arizona’s 2,577, so they will be confident of securing a high-scoring win on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the Stanford Cardinal sit third from bottom in the standings with a record of 14-18. Following a run of four losses in seven games – and six defeats in 10 outings – Stanford looks destined to suffer another heavy loss at the hands of the Wildcats.
Minnesota Golden Gophers at Maryland Terrapins
Best Bet: Maryland Terrapins -13 (-105)
Despite winning two of their last three games, the Minnesota Golden Gophers are rooted to the foot of the Big Ten Conference. It is worth remembering that Minnesota has suffered 13 defeats in 15 outings, and 21 losses in 30 encounters this season.
On the flip side, the Maryland Terrapins occupy fifth place in the standings, having won 20 of their 31 games in 2022-23. With eight victories coming in their previous 12 outings, the Terrapins shouldn’t struggle to seal a big win against lowly Minnesota.