College Basketball Best Bets: 3 Picks, Predictions for Saturday, Including Stanford vs Santa Clara

College Basketball Best Bets: 3 Picks, Predictions for Saturday, Including Stanford vs Santa Clara article feature image
Credit:

Photo by Scott Dinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Elijah Mahi (Santa Clara)

While college football takes centerstage on Saturday, that doesn't mean there isn't betting value to be had on the hardwood.

In fact, our staff is targeting three games to please your college basketball needs.

So, here's college basketball best bets and three picks and predictions for Saturday, including Stanford vs. Santa Clara and more on Nov. 23.

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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.

GameTime (ET)Pick
Marquette Golden Eagles LogoGeorgia Bulldogs Logo
11 a.m.
Cincinnati Bearcats LogoGeorgia Tech Yellow Jackets Logo
2 p.m.
Stanford Cardinal LogoSanta Clara Broncos Logo
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.

Marquette vs. Georgia

Marquette Golden Eagles Logo
Saturday, Nov. 23
11 a.m. ET
FloHoops
Georgia Bulldogs Logo
Georgia +7
DraftKings  Logo

By Mike McNamara

I like Georgia to hang tough in this one and give Marquette a 40-minute battle in the Bahamas.

Mike White’s team finished the season very strong a year ago and has a legitimate chance of being an NCAA Tournament squad in 2024-25.

The Bulldogs have been balanced on both ends of the floor to start the season and freshman big Asa Newell gives this team an added dimension on the interior.

Newell has been in double figures in all five outings this season and could be in line for another big day against a mediocre Marquette frontcourt.

It’s also realistic to expect a little bit of a hangover from the Golden Eagles after their big win over Purdue at home earlier in the week. Marquette heads to the Bahamas for just this one game, so it’s a lot of travel in a short period of time.

Kam Jones is playing like an All-American and will certainly score his fair share of points, but I expect Georgia to keep this one close throughout and have a chance to win the game in the final couple of minutes.

Give me the Bulldogs catching seven in what should be a fun early tip in Nassau.

Pick: Georgia +7 (Play to +6.5)


Cincinnati vs. Georgia Tech

Cincinnati Bearcats Logo
Saturday, Nov. 23
2 p.m. ET
ESPN+
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Logo
Cincinnati -8.5
DraftKings  Logo

By Sean Paul

Cincinnati's Jizzle James is among the top breakout performers in the sport. He went from someone who occasionally ran the point last year to someone sprouting in Day Day Thomas' stead by averaging 14 points, 5.5 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game.

The dazzling sophomore is the best guard in this game and will look to limit Georgia Tech's Javian McCollum.

Up front, Coach Wes Miller brought in a pair of transfer bigs to help Aziz Bandaogo, a 7-foot shot swatter. He brought in Arrinten Page, who's averaging 11.5 points in just 16 minutes per game, and the uber-athletic Dillon Mitchell, who helps the Bearcats' stout interior defense.

Meanwhile, the top player on Georgia Tech's scouting report is sophomore forward Baye Ndongo. The 6-foot-11 forward is a force at scoring inside and flashes an occasional jumper. He might meet his match with Bandaogo, since the Cincinnati big doesn't let opponents score in the paint easily and stands four inches taller than Ndongo.

Also, the Yellow Jackets aren't great on either end of the floor, ranking 108th in offensive efficiency and 103rd in defensive efficiency.

Their only path to competing feels like a strong shooting performance, as they launch 40% of their shots from 3. Georgia Tech will need a group effort — and one of its guards to have a breakout performance — to beat a team with top-10 upside.

I can't pass on the Bearcats here.

They have the advantage at just about every position, and they should be well on their way to another dominant win.

Pick: Cincinnati -8.5


Stanford vs. Santa Clara

Stanford Cardinal Logo
Saturday, Nov. 23
10 p.m. ET
ESPN+
Santa Clara Broncos Logo
Santa Clara +1.5
BetMGM Logo

By John Feltman

I am buying low on the Santa Clara Broncos on Saturday night. They are set to take on an undefeated Stanford team, but we have reached the top of the market on the Cardinal.

Despite being 2-3 thus far, the Broncos are only one-point home 'dogs with a lot of sharp money pouring in.

Although the record is disappointing, I love the frontcourt matchup for them.

7-footer Christoph Tilly is shooting 46% from deep early on, and I expect him to be a significant contributor. Forward Elijah Mahi is also a terrific anchor for the frontcourt, and he’s shooting 60% from deep to begin the year.

The Broncos have the size to match a lengthy Stanford team, and their bench is far more profound, which also gives them an edge late in the game. The Broncos are also shooting 31% from 3 thus far despite taking a ton of triples per game.

Positive shooting regression should be coming for Santa Clara, and the market indicates it should win the matchup outright.

I like the Broncos' matchup down low, and they have an excellent chance to win the rebounding battle.

Pick: Santa Clara +1.5 (Play to -1)

About the Author
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