Bottom of the Barrel · Week 3
Low- to Mid-Major College Basketball Picks for Saturday, Nov. 27
Happy Feast week — one of the best weeks of not just sports, but sports betting — to you and yours. Specifically, I'm intrigued by mid-majors matching up with high-caliber teams in MTE events.
It's heaven on earth if you're anything like me.
With more than 60 college basketball games on Saturday, we've got plenty of low-tier games to choose from. So, let's take a look at three of my favorites.
Miami (OH) vs. Western Illinois
 Saturday, Nov. 27 3 p.m. ET  |
Western Illinois +3.5  |
The undefeated RedHawks will travel to Western Illinois to take on the Leathernecks in their second away game of the year.
The Leathernecks haven’t been a great scoring team or even a strong defensive team, but their tempo and rebounding has guided them to a 2-0 record at home and a 4-2 overall record. They have wins against Nebraska and Northern Kentucky on the road.
Meanwhile, the RedHawks have been one of the most efficient teams offensively in the country. They rank 63rd, per KenPom, in offensive efficiency and 18th in effective field goal percentage. They also rank 15th in 2-point percentage and 17th in field goal percentage.
While Miami (OH) has been good, its last two games came against non-ranked opponents outside Division I. Its two games prior to that were against Lamar and Stetson — two teams that rank outside the top 200 in Division I.
The Leathernecks are the hot team and for that reason, I'll be backing the home dog here. I was able to get Western Illinois at +3.5 and I will also be making a small wager on the moneyline.
Pick: Western Illinois +3.5 | Western Illinois ML
Georgia State vs. Rhode Island
Saturday, Nov. 27 4 p.m. ET ESPN+ |
Rhode Island -5.5 |
Georgia State will venture to Kingston on Saturday afternoon to take on the Rhode Island Rams. The Panthers enter this game on a two-game winning streak, but needed overtime to beat High Point, which ranks 264th, per KenPom.
Rhode Island, however, is coming off of a loss to Florida Gulf Coast on the road. While the Rams are 4-2 on the season, they will look to keep their perfect home record (3-0) alive.
The biggest factor in this game will be the personnel issues the Panthers have. Georgia State will travel with just nine players, two of which are walk-ons. One Georgia State player tested positive for COVID-19, so he and five others will not be eligible to play.
And because of that I'm betting Rhode Island will keep its home streak alive. I was able to catch the Rams at the opener of -5.5 and I would take them up to -8.
Pick: Rhode Island -5.5 (Play up to -8)
BYU vs. Utah
Saturday, Nov. 27 9:30 p.m. ET Pac-12 Network |
BYU -1.5  |
“But Collin this is not a low-tier matchup, this is two undefeated teams.”
Listen, it's not my fault that the WCC is a better conference than the ACC and the Big Ten this year, so far. Regardless, we've got a Holy War on the court on Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. ET, as the Cougars travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Utes.
Both teams enter this matchup undefeated on the season and are ranked inside the top 75 in the country
BYU has a marquee win over Oregon to its name, which was an absolute no doubter as it beat the Ducks, 81-49.
Utah, meanwhile, has yet to beat anyone inside the top 100, but it has been effective against the spread (4-1) on the season. The Utes' only loss against the spread was by one-point against Boston College.
While both teams have been great this season, BYU ranks ahead of Utah in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
I think the Cougars have proved themselves as a better team against tougher competition, and even going on the road, I still think they have the ability to cover the minimal spread here.
I'll be taking BYU -1.5 and I would bet the Cougars no higher than -2 (-115).
Pick: BYU -1.5 (Play to -2)
Bottom-of-the-Barrel Beverage Recommendation
And finally our bourbon pick of the week.
While you may have had your fill of turkey for the week, don’t be hesitant to get a little wild on Saturday.
It's the weekend you deserve it.
And what better way to get wild than with a little Wild Turkey 101.
