Women’s College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (2/26)
It is a great day to be a fan of women's college basketball. Not that there's such a thing as a bad day to be one, but today will be a fun one for fans with a busy slate of games that includes 14 teams in the AP Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Poll in action. That brings me to my top women's college basketball picks & predictions for the day.
With so many solid teams playing, this post would have to be ridiculously long to adequately cover all of them. I chose the ones I think will be of interest.
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Thursday’s Best Women’s College Basketball Picks & Predictions
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Georgetown Hoyas at No. 1 UConn Huskies
It has been a long time since the Huskies last played a competitive game. They are undefeated (29-0, 18-0 in the Big East) and haven't really been challenged since November 21st, when they faced then No. 6-ranked Michigan (the Wolverines lost by three, 72-69). Other than Michigan, no other team has managed to stay within single digits. Georgetown will not be one of them. They already lost once to the Huskies, 83-42.
We've seen how the Hoyas’ defense is not ready for a talented, diverse and deep offensive attack. It couldn't hold back the Huskies the first time; there is no reason to think they'll do any better this time. Yes, Georgetown is playing at home, but home-court advantage does not exist versus the Huskies.
Pick: UConn -37.5 (-114)
Illinois Fighting Illini at No. 9 Iowa Hawkeyes
Either I'm missing something grossly obvious, or this game is mispriced. Illinois's record (19-8, 9-7 in the Big Ten) is not good in comparison to No. 9 Iowa (22-5, 13-3 in the Big Ten). Illinois has won three in a row since losing two, and Iowa has won four in a row since its recent three-game losing streak.
From a statistical perspective, they are very compatible teams. Both are averaging 78 points per game and allow about 65 points per game. They play at similar paces. Iowa has a better effective field goal rate (55.3% to 50.7%). But that and the difference in records should not equate to an 11.5-point spread.
Since I can't find a reason to justify Iowa being such a big favorite, the best bet for this game is clear. Back the underdog Illinois on the Moneyline.
Pick: Illinois +11.5 (-114)
No. 10 Louisville Cardinals at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech will likely lose this game. Their defense (66.6 points per game allowed) and offense (66.1 points per game) compared to Louisville in both categories (60.8 and 81.7, respectively) are not on the same level. The game should probably be a blowout, but don't count on it. Louisville leading scorer Tajianna Roberts left the game against Virginia early with an injury. After the game, the team expressed concern over getting her healthy for the postseason.
Losing the last two games will not harm the Cardinals in any way. But if they can't be at full strength come tournament time, they'll be in danger of an early exit. They still have the talent and depth to win this game, but not by 17 points.
Pick: Georgia Tech +16.5 (-114)