We don't have any game like UConn vs. Kansas on Saturday, but that doesn't mean there isn't betting value to be had in college basketball.
Below, our staff has college basketball best bets and three picks for Saturday, December 2.
College Basketball Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our college basketball betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 2:15 p.m. | |
  | 3 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Duke vs. Georgia Tech
By D.J. James
The Duke Blue Devils may not be as strong as some expected going into the season. The Blue Devils' loss on the road to Arkansas truly showcased some glaring issues with this Blue Devils team.
On Saturday, Duke starts ACC play with a game at Georgia Tech.
The Yellow Jackets are nothing to write home about, but they do have a top-30 KenPom win over Mississippi State. They dropped games to UMass and Cincy, though.
That said, the Yellow Jackets can keep it close with the Blue Devils at home.
Duke owns a 3-point percentage of 34.2% and a 2-point percentage of 56.6%. It's much more efficient inside the arc, but even still, it ranks 157th in finishing at the rim (points per possession), per Shot Quality.
This is an issue for the Yellow Jackets, so Duke will not exploit the interior as often as might be expected.
Also, opponents are shooting just 28.5% against GT from deep, so the Jackets should restrict the outside game for Duke.
Adding on, Georgia Tech is a great offensive rebounding team (38th in the country). Duke struggles in this department, ranking 210th in offensive rebounding and 39th defensively. Sure, the Blue Devils won't permit too many put-backs for Georgia Tech, but the Yellow Jackets will grab some.
Now, Georgia Tech usually has some issues with turnovers — it ranks 145th in offensive turnover rate — but Duke ranks 160th in defensive turnover rate. Don't expect Georgia Tech to cough up the ball as often as it has this season.
Finally, Georgia Tech ranks 93rd in Rim & 3 Rate points per possession. Duke ranks 92nd.
With the Yellow Jackets having home court advantage, they could keep the game tight. Play the Jackets in this game to +10.5.
Pick: Georgia Tech +12.5 (Play to +10.5)
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Colgate vs. Arizona
By Greg Waddell
The Arizona Wildcats look like one of the best teams in all of college basketball through the first six games of the season. This team is elite on both sides of the ball. It has depth, shooting, physicality and an edge that makes it extremely fun to watch.
When the Wildcats take on Colgate, it won't be a cakewalk to a cover. Matt Langel's squad is only 4-3 to start the season, but it ranks 140th on KenPom overall and took Syracuse down to the wire in its only road game against a high-major opponent.
Colgate won 26 games last season and returned 65% of its minutes this season.
But Arizona is a different type of test.
Loaded in every category, the Wildcats have a true claim to being the best team in the country at this point in the year.
Tommy Lloyd's teams have historically been dominant in the non-conference portion of the schedule, and this year is no different. Arizona has not only won all six games it's played, but it's also covered all six games against the spread.
Colgate's best chance in this one is to cross its fingers and hope that Arizona is reading blurbs like this talking about how impressive it is.
Until we see the Wildcats play down to a lesser opponent's level, it's impossible to bet against the Wildcats.
Pick: Arizona -21
USC vs. Gonzaga
By Doug Ziefel
We have a prizefighter on our hands at the MGM Grand Garden Arena as the Gonzaga Bulldogs are set to square off with the USC Trojans.
The Bulldogs have been tested early on this season, as they battled some of the nation's best in the Maui Invitational. Both the wins and the losses may aid this team against the Trojans.
Speaking of the Trojans, they come into this matchup 5-2 on the season, but their lone losses came against UC Irvine and Oklahoma.
While this is a marquee matchup, it will also be a game where we learn a lot about USC and if its numbers can translate against elite competition.
For my money, they should translate well here, as their size can give the Gonzaga big men issues on both ends. However, the Zags are a solid defensive team in their own right and have plenty of length to contend with the Trojans' talented guards.
The best way to bet this matchup is to take the under.
Pick: Under 150.5 (Play to 147.5)
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