Tuesday is the start of both the SEC/ACC Challenge and the Big East-Big 12 Battle, but first, we have some betting value to be had in college basketball on Monday.
I'm targeting three specific games, including Pacific vs. Colorado and more.
So, without further ado, here's my college basketball best bets and three predictions and picks for Monday, 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 |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 9 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. | ||
Yale vs. Rhode Island
The Monday slate after Feast Week is always a little slim. The evidence: The only televised game tonight is UMBC at Georgetown.
The hunt for value continues, though, and I’m heading to the East Coast for my first two wagers.
Yale has had a full week to reset, sitting on the sidelines during Thanksgiving week. That gave legendary coach James Jones the chance to fix some issues with the Bulldogs' defense, which is currently lagging well behind the offense analytically.
Yale is fouling at a rate far above the best Jones teams; an inexperienced big man rotation is an obvious culprit.
Of course, the biggest issue with Yale’s defense is opponents’ shot-making. Yale foes have hit 36.5% of their 3s and 77.1% of their free throws, rates that land the Bulldogs 305th and 336th in the country, respectively.
Both numbers are far above the national average and should trend down in the future.
Rhode Island’s catalyst is point guard Sebastian Thomas, a boomerang transfer who returned to Kingston after a year of evolution at Albany.
Fortunately, Yale has Bez Mbeng, a ferocious on-ball defender who is the reigning Ivy Defensive Player of the Year. If he can bother Thomas, the Rams’ offense will struggle.
On the other end, Rhode Island’s defense has looked great this season, albeit against a soft schedule.
Javonte Brown has dominated inside, and the 7-footer ranks 33rd nationally in block rate. That has helped URI rank 34th in 2-point percentage defense, typically a sustainable defensive measure.
With a combination of expected shooting regression, a great matchup with Mbeng on Thomas and a stout URI interior defense, the under stands out to me.
Pick: Under 156 (Play to 153)
Bryant vs. Drexel
Another total in the 150s, another under.
This handicap is a little simpler, though, as I’m focused on pace. These two teams are on opposite ends of the spectrum in that regard: Drexel ranks 348th in KenPom’s adjusted tempo, while Bryant sits 11th in the same measure.
I expect the home Dragons to be able to control the flow of this one. Being at home certainly helps, and Drexel’s lack of depth – 355th in bench minutes, per KenPom – makes it a necessity to avoid track meet-style clashes.
Despite clearly wanting to run when possible, Bryant has shown a proclivity to playing at the opponent’s pace. On the road at Stonehill and St. Bonaventure, two teams that want to execute in the half-court, the Bulldogs played 68- and 70-possession contests.
Again, on the road at a crawling foe, this could be Bryant’s lowest-possession game of the season.
Of course, the teams must get some stops, as well. Bryant is heavily reliant on the offensive glass (30th in offensive rebound rate). Rebounding is the strength of the Drexel defense, though, so the Dragons should be able to limit second shots.
On the other end, Bryant’s switchability will force an execution-based Dragons offense to have to score in isolation at times. Drexel is not built for that.
Ultimately, though, my expectation that Drexel will control the pace is the biggest driver here.
Pick: Under 151.5 (Play to 150)
Pacific vs. Colorado
A late-night underdog wraps up my slate. Pacific has been a nightmare team to back against the spread in recent years, but a change on the sidelines has hopefully returned the Tigers to respectability.
Pacific made a high-upside hire this offseason by bringing in Dave Smart from the Texas Tech staff. Prior to that, Smart was Canada’s John Wooden, racking up a ridiculous 591-48 record while winning 13 national championships as the coach of Carleton University.
To start this year, the Tigers are a meager 3-4 against the spread, but battling at Arkansas for 30 minutes and handling San Jose State on a neutral floor are positive indicators.
Crucially, Pacific catches Colorado in a beneficial spot. The Buffaloes are playing their first game post-Maui Invitational, which could lead to intermittent focus against a lower-caliber opponent.
Getting up for three games in three days is a challenge, and Colorado collected a massive victory over UConn as part of that foray to the islands.
My handicap on Colorado being vulnerable in this spot is less about travel – though that could be a factor – and more about the human nature of dialing all the way in after three power-conference battles in the electric environment of the Lahaina Civic Center.
Pacific could wear down at elevation, so perhaps spreading the bet between the first half and full game makes sense.
I am trusting the Tigers to hang around for 40 minutes, though, with Smart’s schemes being a primary reason why.
Pick: Pacific +14.5 (Play to +13)
