Top College Basketball Picks for Friday, December 31 (2021)
It’s New Year’s Eve, and there isn’t much of a selection when it comes to college basketball. Let’s be honest. Most of you aren’t going to be tuning into any college basketball with just one top-25 team playing today. It’s all about college football, and I completely get it. But it’s sometimes hard to find value in games that have such a high handle.
That’s why we’re still looking at three college basketball games to bet for today’s early slate.
All odds via BettingPros consensus
Compare odds from all major sportsbooks for College Basketball >>
Niagara vs. Quinnipiac: Niagara +2
(2:00 PM ET tip)
Today’s slate isn’t going to be the most exciting, but hopefully, it’ll bring us some winners. Niagara is shooting a high percentage from three-point range and the foul line, and while the volume won’t be there from long range, it should be there from the foul line, where the Purple Eagles shoot 78.4 percent.
Niagara has also held opponents to 25.5 percent offensive rebounds and has defended the three very well, holding opponents to 31.4 percent on the season from beyond the arc. On the other hand, Quinnipiac is shooting 32.9 percent from long range but takes a whole lot of three-point shots. If those shots are missed and not rebounded, Niagara should win this game on the road.
Delaware vs. College of Charleston: College of Charleston -3
(2:00 PM ET tip)
The College of Charleston has been unique this season, to put it lightly. The Cougars are shooting an effective field goal percentage of 47.5 percent but continue to dominate the glass on both ends of the floor. It’s not three-point shooting that’s an issue. It’s scoring inside that’s been the main problem for the Cougars.
Charleston shoots 34.2 percent from long range and just 45.2 percent from inside the arc. But around the rim, on misses, Charleston is earning 35 percent rebounds on the offensive end. That’s going to help, especially at home.
Delaware is the better offense, without question, shooting a 52.7 percent effective field goal percentage. But on misses, Charleston should be able to clean up the glass. On the other hand, Delaware has struggled to defend the three-point shot and has allowed teams to shoot 36.4 percent.
I like Charleston to come out with the victory, at home, by more than three.
LIU Brooklyn vs. Merrimack: Under 129
(2:00 PM ET tip)
Despite Merrimack winning two straight games, they’ve struggled a little bit earlier this year. Unfairly, they also had to play Gonzaga and Indiana, to name a few, but ultimately, Merrimack has struggled with teams at 250 or better in KenPom rankings.
LIU Brooklyn is about 250, sitting at 255. I’m just not sure if Merrimack will be able to score enough points to win this game. On the other hand, I’m not sure how LIU will get their offense in this game.
LIU is shooting a 46.3 percent effective field goal percentage. The Sharks have struggled to score at a high percentage from long-range and from inside. LIU could rebound out of the Merrimack zone on offense, but that’s about it.
On the other hand, Merrimack loves to get back on defense after misses and they’ve also shot a 43.7 percent effective field goal percentage while only scoring 42 percent of shots inside on the season.
Where are the points coming from?
Join the BettingPros Discord Chat for Live Betting Advice >>
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts
Whether you’re new to sports betting or a betting pro, our Sports Betting Strategy and Advice page is for you. You can get started with our 101 section — including 10 Sports Betting Tips for Beginners — or head to more advanced strategy — like Key Numbers When Betting Against the Spread — to learn more.
Jason Radowitz is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him @Jason_Radowitz.