There are eight college football bowl games on Saturday, but there's also plenty of value in college basketball.
Our staff is targeting three specific games to juice up their betting cards with.
So, here's college basketball best bets, including three picks and predictions for Saturday, December 28.
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 p.m. | |
  | 4 p.m. | |
  | 6 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. | ||
Ole Miss vs Memphis
With all the buzz that the SEC is getting nationally due to the conference’s pristine record in November and December, Ole Miss continues to fly a bit under the radar.
Teams like Tennessee, Auburn, Kentucky and Florida are rightfully under the spotlight, but the Rebels are quietly playing really good basketball.
Chris Beard has made major leaps in his second year at all of his recent stops, and it appears to be no different this season.
Beard has done a nice job with his roster construction, retaining veterans like Matthew Murrell and Jaemyn Brakefield and also going to the portal to get key contributors like Dre Davis and Sean Pedulla.
I think you’ll see Ole Miss very motivated as it hits the road post-Christmas to face a talented Memphis team that has also gotten off to a good start to the year.
Penny Hardaway’s team had a fantastic Maui and should be in good shape to return to the NCAA Tournament this year.
That said, I trust Ole Miss a little bit more in this spot after the holidays, and I also just believe it has a slightly better roster.
Yes, the Tigers are at home, but the Rebels looked really good in a road win at Louisville earlier in the month and also beat BYU on a neutral floor over Thanksgiving.
Give me Ole Miss as a short underdog in a game I expect it to not only cover, but win outright.
Pick: Ole Miss +1.5 (Play to PK)
UCLA vs Gonzaga
By Doug Ziefel
The West Coast Hoops Showdown gives us a marquee matchup between the No. 22 UCLA Bruins and the No. 14 Gonzaga Bulldogs. This will be the fifth consecutive season these two teams will meet on a neutral court, and three of the last four meetings have been decided by four points or less.
That history appears to have factored into the line for this matchup, as the Bulldogs are four-point favorites.
However, a closer look shows why history won’t repeat itself.
Gonzaga has a big edge inside with the likes of Graham Ike and Braden Huff, who are the team’s top two scorers. They'll give UCLA fits, as the Bruins have size but lack a true rim protector to contend with the offensive skill of the Bulldogs' big men.
Gonzaga’s ability to work from inside-out offensively will give it the edge against an aggressive UCLA team. The Bruins are fourth in adjusted defensive efficiency mainly because they're first in defensive turnover rate.
We should see the Bulldogs limit turnovers by controlling the tempo. That means we’ll see them push the pace when they get defensive boards and work the ball down low in the half-court. This will equal plenty of good looks, and the Bulldogs have shown they'll convert, ranking third in adjusted offensive efficiency.
On the other end of the court is where Gonzaga has the chance to pull away. Like Gonzaga, UCLA is a team that prefers to work the ball inside, but that may be its only method of attack, as Gonzaga has been one of the best teams in the country at defending perimeter shots.
UCLA's perimeter shooting makes it difficult for it to stretch the floor. Therefore, the Bulldogs' size and experience should prevail defensively and help them control the glass.
Back the Bulldogs to cover the spread.
Pick: Gonzaga -3.5 (Play to -5.5)
Utah State vs San Diego State
By John Feltman
In this Mountain West showdown, both offenses are due for negative shooting regression.
I also love the spot for the Aztecs at home, as they can expose the Aggies with their rock solid defense. They've faced a much tougher strength of schedule thus far, and that'll come back to haunt Utah State in this one.
The Aggies like to run a high-tempo offense, but I think they'll struggle against the Aztecs' defense. The Aztecs will dictate the game's pace, and their defense will be the best unit on the floor.
I think the market has peaked a bit too high on Aggies' offense, and I'm willing to bank on that and cash in on taking the under.
Trust the elite San Diego State defense and Brian Dutcher's typically tough-to-prepare-for scheme.
Pick: Under 145 (Play to 142)
