Conference play is starting to get underway in college basketball. What that provides is a shift away from neutral venues and into games where teams have to play in front of hostile home environments. Here’s a look at five games worth betting for Wednesday night.
Michigan State Spartans at Penn State Nittany Lions
Michigan State vs. Penn State Picks
Best Bet: Penn State -4
The Spartans took a difficult home loss to Northwestern last Sunday and have been beset by injuries. Spartans forward Malik Hall has only played in four games this season due to injuries. Michigan State, which is 3-6 against the spread, has lost two straight games and narrowly beat Portland in the game before that.
Penn State, which is 6-2 straight up and 5-2-1 against the spread, are coming off an overtime loss to Clemson. The Nittany Lions are one of the nation’s top 3-point shooting teams.
Penn State knocks down 40.4 percent of its 3-pointers, which ranks 13th nationally. The Nittany Lions will grab a win over the Spartans and cover the spread at home.
Dayton Flyers at Virginia Tech Hokies
Dayton vs. Virginia Tech Picks
Best Bet: Under 127.5 Points
The Flyers and Hokies are both good defensive teams. What is unfortunate for Dayton is that the Flyers haven’t figured things out on the offensive end. The Flyers average 65.2 points per game, which ranks 323nd as a team. Dayton’s defense ranks 28th nationally, as the Flyers allow 59.8 points per game.
Virginia Tech, which allows its opponents to score 65.1 points per game, have seen four of its past five games go under the total.
UConn Huskies at Florida Gators
Best Bet: UConn -5
The Huskies have been keeping their friends and sports bettors happy over their first nine games. UConn is 9-0 thus far and has piled up an 8-0-1 against the spread record. What the Huskies will have to show now is that they can handle a hostile venue.
UConn has yet to play a true road game and will play against the Gators, who are 4-1 straight up at home. The Huskies have the 20th-best scoring defense in the country, limiting their opponents to 58.7 points per game.
College Basketball Predictions
Pittsburgh Panthers at Vanderbilt Commodores
Pittsburgh vs Vanderbilt Picks
Best Bet: Pittsburgh +3.5
The Panthers started the season slowly and appeared to be headed for another underwhelming season under Jeff Capel. Pitt have won five straight games, including two impressive road wins against Northwestern and NC State. The Panthers have been effective on defense, limiting their opponents to 66.4 points per game.
Pitt are 2-0 in true road games on the season. Vanderbilt is only 2-2 at home and 4-4 on the season. This is a good spot to take the points with the Panthers, who may win outright.
Robert Morris Colonials at Central Michigan Chippewas
Robert Morris vs. Central Michigan Picks
Best Bet: Central Michigan -2.5
Central Michigan is off to a 4-4 start this season and have been beating up on sub-Division I competition as of late. The Chippewas have had a hard time shooting from the perimeter, only making 28.6 percent of their 3-pointers. However, Central Michigan has found a way to put up 72.8 points per game.
