Top College Basketball Picks for Thursday, December 30 (2021)
I’ve officially put Georgia on my no-bet list. After a 16-point loss to Gardner Webb at home, the Georgia Bulldogs are simply the worst Power 5 team in America. I’m done with them. Anyway, we’re coming off a brutal 0-3 last night. It’s time to regroup, and I’ve got three plays to do just that for the college basketball slate on December 30.
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Old Dominion vs. Florida International: FIU -110
(7:00 PM ET tip)
The Florida International Panthers will play their first game in two weeks. FIU hasn’t played a game in two weeks and unfortunately lost their last two games previously. However, against Old Dominion, the Panthers’ defense should step up at home.
The defense has allowed teams to shoot an effective field goal percentage of 43.8 percent while giving up just 26.4 percent from three and 46.6 percent inside the arc. On the other hand, Old Dominion won’t shoot volume from downtown but will get to the line at a high rate.
However, Florida International shoots a boatload of threes and hits 35.5 percent of them at home this season. With Old Dominion struggling to get stops at the perimeter, Florida International should shoot a high percentage from long range in this game. I like FIU to win the pick-em game with great shooting and terrific defense.
Eastern State vs. Portland State: Eastern Washington (-104)
(10:00 PM ET tip)
The Portland State offense has been miserable this season. And I’m not saying Eastern Washington has been elite, but listen to these Portland State numbers.
The Vikings are shooting an effective field goal percentage of 39.4 percent while turning the ball over 22.3 percent of the time. Portland State is shooting just 24.6 percent from downtown and only 40.9 percent from inside the arc. So where are points going to come from for Portland State?
Meanwhile, Portland State allows opponents to shoot 38.1 percent from long range, and Eastern Washington is shooting 34.1 percent from long range while taking a heavy dosage of threes this season. Eastern Washington can also get to the line at a high rate and should have no problems against Portland State.
Louisiana Monroe vs. Coastal Carolina: Over 141.5
(7:00 PM ET tip)
The total for this game is trending down, and I think there’s so much more value as this game gets bet down. Louisiana Monroe loves to run and uses 16.1 seconds per possession on the offensive end this season.
The Warhawks have an effective field goal percentage of 53.3 percent while hitting 56.1 percent of shots inside the arc this year. ULM won’t take a high amount of threes so that 56.1 percent from inside is crucial knowing that Coastal has allowed around 50 percent on the season inside the arc.
On the other hand, Coastal Carolina should absolutely dominate offensively as well. Louisiana Monroe allows opponents to shoot an effective field goal percentage of 54.7 percent. Teams are hitting 40.7 percent from long range against the Warhawks this season, which is an absurd number.
Coastal Carolina doesn’t take a whole lot of threes, but we should expect a higher amount tonight as they get quality looks. Plus, the Chanticleers should have plenty of success on the offensive glass in this one and earn second chances to help the over.
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Jason Radowitz is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him @Jason_Radowitz.