Top College Basketball Picks for Thursday, February 17 (2022)
We’re inching closer to the conclusion of the regular season. Some teams are trying to build their resume to make sure it’s good enough by the time March Madness rolls around. The pressure is on for most teams at this point. This is when college basketball is at its best. So sit back, relax, and let’s bet on more college basketball tonight.
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Wichita State vs. Cincinnati: Cincinnati -130 via WynnBet
(7:00 PM ET tip)
The Wichita State Shockers and Cincinnati Bearcats don’t have tremendous offenses. But both of these teams have been extremely solid on the defensive end.
The Bearcats have been extra special, holding opponents to a 43.9 percent effective field goal percentage while allowing just 30.7 percent from deep and 42.9 percent from inside the arc this season. In the first meeting between these two teams, with the Shockers at home, Wichita State shot just 10 threes and tried to score a whole lot inside.
The Shockers averaged less than 40 percent inside and hit just 30 percent of threes in that game. The Bearcats can shoot a little better from three and can absolutely defend a little better in the paint. Give me the Bearcats at home.
Bet: Cincinnati -130
North Texas vs. Florida Atlantic: North Texas -130 via Caesars
(7:00 PM ET tip)
The North Texas Mean Green are currently 18-4 on the year and 11-1 in conference play. The Mean Green have won 10 straight games and continue to dominate the Conference-USA.
Now they’ll take on a solid Florida Atlantic team, but defensively, North Texas should be able to escape on the road. The Mean Green are allowing teams to shoot just 29.1 percent from three and are forcing over 20 percent turnovers per game. You can expect turnovers to be high, with Florida Atlantic allowing 19.4 percent turnovers on the offensive end.
Meanwhile, North Texas has hit 37.6 percent from deep this season and Florida Atlantic’s big negative on the defensive end is defending the three. FAU is allowing teams to shoot 37.1 percent from deep this season and North Texas is never shy about throwing up a three. Give me the Mean Green who are going for 11 straight.
Bet: North Texas -130
Abilene Christian vs. Sam Houston State: Sam Houston State -120 via DraftKings
(7:30 PM ET tip)
Sam Houston State has won eight of their last 10 games. To start this streak, Sam Houston knocked off Abilene Christian on the road by two, 65-63.
On the defensive end, Sam Houston State is forcing over 20 percent turnovers and really dominating the defensive glass, holding opponents to 25.8 percent offensive rebounds. Opponents are shooting 32.3 percent from long range and 49.2 percent from inside the arc.
Abilene Christian, on the other hand, is shooting just 32.1 percent from three and 48.8 percent from inside. You will see Abilene Christian get to the line at a high rate, but ultimately, the offense just won’t be up to par. You can also look for Sam Houston State to dominate the offensive glass and get to the line more frequently than normal.
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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.