Top College Basketball Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday, December 6th (2022)

After a limited 12-game college basketball slate on Monday, the action picks up considerably today with nine teams in the AP top 25 in action. The lone ranked vs. ranked matchup of the day is between No. 16 Illinois and No. 2 Texas, which kicks off an exciting doubleheader at the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. In the second game, the No. 17 Duke Blue Devils figure to have the crowd on their side as they take on the (6-1) Iowa Hawkeyes in a critical non-conference battle.

Here are our best bets for Tuesday’s college basketball action. (Odds courtesy of DraftKings)

Yale vs. Butler O/U

Yale was picked to finish third in the Ivy League preseason poll but was one of three teams to garner at least three first-place votes. James Jones’ squad is massive for a typical Ivy League team. The Bulldogs’ entire backcourt is at least 6’4″ tall with long wingspans that they use to get into the passing lanes and harass jump shooters. Their length is a big reason they rank 15th in effective field goal percentage defense and offensive rebounds allowed (21.3%).

Yale is a menacing defensive team with EJ Jarvis on the floor, and he is back after finishing second in the conference in block rate and third in offensive rebounding percentage. Per hooplens, the Bulldogs held opponents to .89 points per possession when he was on the floor, and with him protecting the paint, it allows Yale’s perimeter defenders to play more aggressively.

Conversely, Yale’s offensive struggles are due mainly to an ability to create easy baskets, as it ranks 355th in the country in free throws attempted per field goal attempt. That is primarily because more than 41% of Yale’s shots are from beyond the arc, which has not benefited it much this year, as it has connected on just 33.3% (179th) of those.

The Under has cashed in 15 of Yale’s last 18 games, and is 5-1 in Butler’s last six following a SU win.

Bet: Yale-Butler Under 133 (-110 at DraftKings) 

James Madison vs. Virginia Spread

Tony Bennett’s squad has waited a whole year for revenge, as the Cavaliers lost 52-49 in Harrisonburg last season in this in-state rivalry. That was one of many frustrating losses for Tony Bennett’s squad last year, as they finished 21-14 and had their season end disappointingly in the NIT. However, this year’s Virginia squad looks every bit the part of a team that can win the ACC and make a Final Four, especially after surviving its first three massive tests (vs. Baylor, vs. Illinois, at Michigan) thus far.

James Madison is overvalued entering this matchup, as the Dukes have scored 95+ points in six of its seven wins but were held to 71.5 points in losses to UNC and Valparaiso. In addition, the Dukes have yet to see a team like Virginia that will completely thwart its 16th-ranked tempo.
Virginia plays a physical but intelligent brand of defense. It does not commit many fouls, ranking in the top 15 in the country in opponents’ FTA/FGA.

With few easy baskets in transition for the Dukes and limited free points at the charity stripe, another upset this year is improbable.

Virginia does not fail to cover back-to-back games often, as it is 9-3-1 ATS in its last 13 games following an ATS loss.

Bet: Virginia -11 (-110 at DraftKings)

Maryland vs. Wisconsin ML

Maryland’s 8-0 record is about to get tested in a big way in Madison. The Terrapins’ only true road game was at a disgruntled Louisville team that is off to a historically poor start (0-8), so we expect the more experienced Badgers to take advantage of that early.

Wisconsin usually ends games with the advantage from the 3-point line, as they rank in the top 53 in both 3-point shooting (37.4%) and 3-point defense (27.4%). Tyler Wahl had 21 points in a 70-69 road win at Maryland last year, and the Terrapins defense is vulnerable inside the arc, as they rank outside the top 60 in 2-point percentage allowed but are 13th in defending the 3-point line.

Wisconsin is 5-1 ATS in its last six games against teams with a .600 or better winning percentage, and we like for it to start Big Ten play on a high note.

Bet: Wisconsin ML (-115 at DraftKings)  

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Mike Spector is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @MikeSpector01.