The big NFL game is on the horizon, but before we get to Sunday, there's plenty of betting value to be had on a massive Saturday in college basketball.
Our staff is targeting four games on the Saturday slate.
So, read below for college basketball best bets and odds, including four NCAAB picks and predictions for Saturday, February 8.
(If you choose to parlay these bets, there's an option below.)
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. | |
  | 2 p.m. | |
  | 6:30 p.m. | |
  | 10:30 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. Creighton
By John Feltman
The Golden Eagles are coming off back-to-back losses to UConn and St. John's and will attempt to get right on Saturday on the road in Omaha. The Bluejays are on fire, as they’re winners of their last eight contests.
It's a great buy-low/sell-high situational spot, and I have a lot of reasons to believe the regression train is inbound for the Bluejays.
According to ShotQuality, the Jays should have three more losses on their overall record.
I also can’t believe how criminally lucky the Jays were last Saturday at Villanova, as they were granted a timeout at the end of the game, which ultimately resulted in a prayer, banked in 3-pointer to give them the lead late.
The Jays rank outside the top 250 in the following offensive metrics:
- Free Throw Attempts Per Game
- Turnover Rate
- Offensive Rebounding Rate
This is a big concern against Shaka Smart's team, which ranks fifth in defensive turnover percentage. If the Jays are sloppy with the basketball and can’t consistently get to the charity stripe, they’re in for a rude awakening on Saturday.
The Golden Eagles are also due for favorable fortune from outside the arc; they're shooting 32% from deep despite ranking inside the top 55 in attempts in that area. They’re getting a lot of quality shot attempts, so it’s only a matter of time before these shots start falling.
The Golden Eagles won the first matchup, 79-71, earlier in the season, and I expect them to take care of business on the road again, even though KenPom projects the Jays as a slight one-point favorite.
I wouldn't worry too much about the Golden Eagles' recent performances.
Pick: Marquette +3.5 (Play to -1)
App State vs. Ohio
Contrasting styles take centerstage in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge.
App State is a snail, mucking games up and winning with its fundamentally sound defense. The ‘Neers rank 344th in average offensive possession length and are seemingly never out of position on the defensive end.
You know that’s true when you dig into two stats in particular: They defend the 3-point line as well as any mid-major (28.5%, 7th) and rarely send teams to the line (13.8 FTA, 6th).
This is the kind of matchup that Ohio hates because the Bobcats play fast (38th in tempo) and gobble up fast break buckets (16 PPG, 10th).
Their half-court offense got a big boost with the return of All-MAC performer AJ Clayton. The skilled big is easing back from a leg injury and could be on a minutes restriction in this non-conference game. If he isn’t a full-go, Dustin Kerns’ defense should suffocate Ohio in the half-court.
On the offensive end, App State has a nice inside-out two-man game with Myles Tate and CJ Huntley.
Tate runs the point and is one of two point guards in the country averaging 16/5/5.
Huntley, a unicorn in the NIL/Portal era, has started 80 games at a single school, but only became a difference maker this season. At nearly seven feet, he has the potential to get the best of Clayton.
Win that battle and App State may win the war outright. I would play it down to +3 in this spot.
Pick: App State +4.5 (Play to +3)
Duke vs. Clemson
Duke is led by Cooper Flagg, the presumptive No. 1 overall pick in this summer’s NBA draft. If you haven’t watched him play yet, the best comparison I can provide is Scottie Pippen.
He stuffs the stat sheet (19 PPG, 8 RPG, 4 APG), can defend all five positions on the floor and has a relentless motor. His versatility is a big reason why Duke’s defense is as fearsome as it’s been since the Shane Battier days.
The Blue Devils’ talent and defensive grit is undeniable, but their recent run through the ACC also speaks to the fear factor they’ve instilled on their conference. Teams are waving the white flag early against the Blue Devils, evidenced by a wave of runaway wins dating back to mid-December.
Clemson isn’t a team that dutifully bends the knee to Duke. In his last 14 matchups with the Blue Devils, head coach Brad Brownell is 8-6 ATS, and five of those 14 contests were decided by five points or less.
A big reason for that is Brownell is comfortable slowing things way down. Clemson will turn this game into a half-court slog, and rely on the 3-ball to make the math work in its favor.
NC State and Notre Dame both covered against Duke by shooting well from long range. Clemson, as a team, is 15th in 3-point accuracy, with the majority of the damage being done by Chase Hunter (44% 3P).
If the treys are falling, I have faith that Ian Schieffelin can hold his ground on the interior. The senior big is enjoying a career year in nearly every statistical category and never gets into foul trouble.
With him crashing the offensive glass and the Tigers’ defense forcing Duke to earn every look, the only side that I want any part of in this game is the home team catching north of two possessions.
Pick: Clemson +7.5
Texas Tech vs. Arizona
By Doug Ziefel
The Big 12 has continually delivered marquee matchups, and that's not changing this Saturday as two of the hottest teams in the country are set to square off.
The Texas Tech Red Raiders, winners of seven straight, travel to Tucson to face the Arizona Wildcats, who have rattled off five consecutive wins of their own.
While both squads are trending up, it’s clear which side is more battle-tested. The Red Raiders have secured wins over Houston and Baylor and have already beaten the Wildcats by 16 in their first meeting.
Meanwhile, Arizona has been excellent in conference play, but its early season losses to teams like Wisconsin and Duke — who are on caliber with Texas Tech — are more telling of the quality of its record.
On the floor, these two teams are very evenly matched, but the Red Raiders have the size to contend with the Wildcats on the glass and the outside shooting to separate themselves on the scoreboard.
Arizona has been burned from beyond the arc this season, as over 43% of the points it’s allowed have come from downtown.
Texas Tech isn’t a high-volume 3-point shooting team, but it’s been efficient, ranking 21st in 3-point shooting percentage.
All signs point to us getting a road discount on Texas Tech here, and that's value to capitalize on.
Pick: Texas Tech +3.5 (Play to +2.5)
