Top College Basketball Picks for Wednesday, December 29 (2021)
Despite plenty of games being canceled for today’s slate, there are still many options to bet on tonight. After all, it’s a Wednesday, and we’re starting conference play. So of course there will be games to bet!
Here are my three favorite bets for tonight’s slate in college basketball.
All odds via BettingPros consensus
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DePaul vs Butler: DePaul +1.5 (-118)
(5:00 PM ET tip)
The DePaul Blue Demons are 9-1 on the season with just one loss to Loyola Chicago by four points. Now, they’ll play their first Big East game against a Butler Bulldogs team that just lost by a huge margin to Purdue on a neutral court.
DePaul has the higher effective field goal percentage, turns the ball over less, earns more offensive rebounds, and should get to the line more often than Butler in this game. Despite being on the road, DePaul should have success tonight.
The Blue Demons are 55 percent from inside the arc this season and will rarely take a three-point shot. Inside is where Butler has struggled to defend, allowing teams to shoot 53.3 percent this season. On the other hand, Butler loves to take three-point shots and has hit just 32.2 percent of them this season. Meanwhile, DePaul has limited teams to just 31 percent from downtown and should have the advantage on the glass, even on the defensive side of the ball.
LSU vs Auburn: LSU +4 (-110)
(7:00 PM ET tip)
The LSU Tigers will take on the Auburn Tigers in what should be the best game of tonight’s slate. LSU finished off the non-conference schedule with a perfect 12-0 record. While LSU didn’t play ridiculous opponents, the Tigers did dominate the competition, winning some games by 30 or 40 points against other lower-tier mid-major teams.
LSU is ranked as the top defensive team in the nation via KenPom. They’ve held opponents to a 40.2 percent effective field goal percentage and continue to earn turnovers on the defensive end. Auburn, on the other hand, doesn’t do anything eye-popping offensively. Auburn shoots 34.8 percent from long range and 51.3 percent from inside the arc. Those are above average numbers but nothing elite.
Meanwhile, LSU should have more success on the offensive glass and has shot 53.4 percent inside the arc this season. If the game comes down to the wire, LSU is also the better team at the foul line. So let’s ride LSU and take the points.
Gardner Webb vs Georgia: Georgia -4.5 (-110)
(7:00 PM ET tip)
The Georgia Bulldogs are clearly the worst team in the SEC, but I’m ready to back them again tonight. The Bulldogs are coming off a brutal loss to East Tennessee State, where the Bulldogs lost 86-84. They couldn’t defend at home and struggled against the two guards all night.
I don’t think Georgia will have an issue with Gardner Webb and their offense. Gardner Webb is shooting a 49 percent effective field goal percentage while turning the ball over nearly 21 percent of the time. Gardner Webb also struggles to rebound on the offensive glass and has hit just 65.9 percent of foul shots.
Georgia should get to the line more and has an effective field goal percentage. Look for the Bulldogs to dominate inside and have success around the rim throughout the night. I also like Georgia’s chances to bring down some offensive rebounds and get second-chance opportunities.
If Georgia doesn’t cover this game, I’ll put them on the no-bet list…
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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.