Top College Basketball Picks for Thursday, November 18 (2021)
Last night, our top college basketball picks for Wednesday went 2-1. We added some profit to those who tailed. We’ll take a 2-1 night any night and hope to bring more profit with today’s picks.
To recap, last night, we grabbed Army on the moneyline, St. Joseph’s -1.5 and San Diego -2. Army dominated Merrimack, San Diego defeated UC Riverside comfortably, and St. Joseph’s lost to Drexel by a possession. Let’s see what’s in store for today!
All odds via BettingPros consensus
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UAB vs. South Carolina: South Carolina +2.5 (-110)
(7:00 PM ET tip)
South Carolina is a 2.5 underdog, at home, against a non-Power 5 team. This caught my attention. The Gamecocks are likely going to have A.J. Wilson make his South Carolina debut tonight. After transferring from George Mason, Wilson had a back injury and a death in his family one day before the season’s first game.
The South Carolina beat is expecting him to suit up in this game. He’ll fill a big void at the power forward spot. South Carolina hasn’t been able to get much production in that area with paint touches, rebounding, and blocks. Wilson can do all of those things and has experience to go with it.
UAB, on the other hand, are 3-0 on the season and have demolished competition. They’re scoring 95 points per game while allowing under 70 points per game this season. The Blazers are also averaging 52.8 percent from the field and have been one of the best teams inside the arc, shooting 62.6 percent inside.
However, defensively, UAB has struggled a bit, allowing 43.2 percent from long range. They’re also getting beat on the boards and are fouling uncontrollably. If South Carolina can win the rebounding battle and limit UAB from getting really good shots at home, the Gamecocks will win this game outright.
Coastal Carolina vs. UNC Wilmington: Coastal Carolina +105
(7:00 PM ET tip)
Coastal Carolina hasn’t played a D-1 game this season, and that’s why I’ll buy low on this team, on the road. The offense looks extremely good with transfers out of Kansas State, St. John’s, and New Mexico State. Rudi Williams from Kansas State and Vince Cole from St. John’s combined for 30 points in the first game of the season against Ferrum.
In reality, the offensive potential with the starting five is just ridiculous. Against Ferrum, the starting lineup scored 80 of the 101 points. With UNC Wilmington shooting a 36.3 percent effective field goal percentage, it’s hard to imagine they’re able to stick around offensively in this game.
UNC Wilmington is shooting just 32.9 percent from inside the arc. That’s one of the worst rates in the country to start the season and makes you really wonder.
I’ll grab Coastal Carolina has slight underdogs. They’re the better team.
Indiana State vs. Old Dominion: Indiana State +6
(9:30 PM ET tip)
To start the season, I’ve been more impressed by Indiana State. Sure, they got crushed by Purdue earlier this year, but they also got a win over Green Bay earlier this year on the road.
Indiana State will now get a bit of a change in scenery playing on a neutral court for the Myrtle Beach Invitational. Defensively, Indiana State has struggled a bit, allowing teams to shoot 57.1 percent from inside and an effective field goal percentage of 56 percent. But let’s be fair a bit. These stats are skewed as Indiana State had to play Purdue.
On the other hand, Old Dominion just defeated Manhattan and lost to James Madison on the road before that one. Offensively, they’ve shot just 24 percent from downtown and made only 65 percent of foul shots. For a team that seems to be getting to the line often, that’s not very good.
Indiana State is also getting to the line at a solid rate and shooting 80.6 percent from the line. In my eyes, on a neutral court, this game will be much closer than a six-point game. Indiana State might even win. I’ll play it safe and grab the points.
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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.