While championship Saturday in college football takes centerstage, there's still value to be had in college basketball, especially early in the day.
Our staff is diving into four particular games on this Saturday slate.
So, without further ado, here's college basketball best bets, including four picks and predictions for Saturday, December 7.
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 |
|---|---|---|
  | 11:30 a.m. | |
  | 1:30 p.m. | |
  | 2 p.m. | |
  | 7 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. | ||
Kansas State vs. St. John's
By Sean Paul
The Kansas State Wildcats poured a bunch of NIL money into their roster, and it hasn't paid off, to put it kindly. The Wildcats are 6-2 and lost both games against opponents ranked inside KenPom's top 140 (Liberty, LSU).
Are brighter days in Manhattan on the horizon? Perhaps, but it won't happen in Queens.
The Wildcats' perimeter shooting has been the brightest spot for this team this season. They shoot 38% from 3 (40th nationally) and have a 57% effective field goal percentage (25th nationally).
Jerome Tang targeted a pair of shooters — Max Jones and Brendan Hausen — in the portal, and it's paid off handsomely. The two import shooters are connecting on more than 40% of their shots from 3. The areas where Kansas State suffered last year are now strengths.
However, improving the shooting came at the expense of downgrading on the defensive end.
Tang has the worst defensive team he's had in three years at Kansas State, ranking 65th in defensive efficiency. That's still not terrible; it could be worse. But it's a far cry from the top 30 ranking the previous two seasons.
It's almost more Kansas State-related than St. John's. Although, I do like this St. John's team quite a bit. This matchup just feels like a disaster for Kansas State, which is too loose with the ball to hang with the Red Storm.
I don't see the Wildcats having enough cohesion to figure out the proper way to dissect this plucky Red Storm defense.
Pick: St. John's -9.5 (Play to -11)
Wisconsin vs. Marquette
Wisconsin is a tough team to get a feel for this season. John Tonje has played too well to be a flash in the pan, yet his effectiveness is sure to dip when he becomes the main focus of every opposing defenses' scouting report.
On top of that, Wisconsin should see some defensive shooting regression and has made the highest free throw percentage in the nation thus far, which should take a dip at some point.
That may be enough to lean towards Marquette, but with the spread opening at 7.5 points, I'm not ready to back the idea of a blowout in this rivalry game.
I lean heavily towards a Golden Eagles win, but that spread is too rich for me. If you're open to the idea of betting a -245 favorite, the moneyline is a good call.
Otherwise, it's a stayaway as long as the spread stays north of five points.
Pick: Marquette -245
Iowa vs. Michigan
By Jim Root
Power conference teams playing their first difficult true road game have generally struggled this season. Considering Iowa is in that predicament – as well as coming off such an emotional win – the spot seems to favor Michigan.
Granted, the Wolverines had a close win to start Big Ten play as well, but they are at least coming home to the friendly confines of the Crisler Center.
Seydou Traore’s presence is critical. He’s the Hawkeyes’ best defender, and his ability to disrupt offenses would have a profound effect on Michigan’s sometimes-shaky ball security. The quick hands of Brock Harding and Drew Thelwell can still shine there, but Traore’s positional versatility matters even more.
If Traore can't go – or even if he’s limited – Michigan has a massive advantage offensively. The Danny Wolf/Vladislav Goldin pick-and-roll can force Owen Freeman away from the basket and into space, and Iowa’s help defenders beyond Traore are poor.
Michigan’s extended defense can also upset Iowa’s gorgeous ball movement; the Wolverines are top five nationally in assist rate allowed.
Put differently, they force teams to score one-on-one – that is not Iowa’s strength.
The price is somewhat steep, but considering the spot and the matchup, I am willing to lay it up to -9 with the Wolverines.
Pick: Michigan -8.5
Saint Mary's vs. Utah
By Sean Paul
The Utes will get a real test as the Saint Mary’s Gaels head to Salt Late City. It’s the first test of the year at home for Utah, as it’s faced a fairly soft schedule — besides a five-point loss to Mississippi State on the road.
I’m really buying into the Utes' pace and shooting in this one. The Gaels want to slow the pace, while Utah ranks 62nd in adjusted tempo and shoots 3s on 50% of its field goal attempts.
The trio of Gabe Madsen, Mason Madsen and Miro Little gives the Utes the backcourt advantage. I know that’s probably a bit surprising against the Gaels' strong guard corps, but Gabe is averaging 22 points per game and shooting 43% from 3. Meanwhile, elder-brother Mason is shooting 46% from 3, and Little is a dynamic playmaker.
The key will be staying firm on the glass, as the Gaels boast the top offensive rebounding rate in the country. I have enough faith in freshman Jake Wahlin and Ezra Ausar to neutralize Saint Mary’s glass attack.
We’re talking about a Saint Mary’s team that got pushed to OT against UTSA this week and lost to Arizona State last week. The offense that once looked like the best in Randy Bennett’s tenure has regressed rapidly in the past week.
I like Utah to defend home court at -2.5
Pick: Utah -2.5 (Play to -3.5)
