February is running out of days, which means that the greatest month of sports is almost here. March is right around the corner, and with it comes the beauty of the 2023 NCAA Tournament.
Some teams are battling for the top overall seed in the tournament, and some are desperate to punch a ticket. This late in the year, the bubble becomes one of the most important facets in all of college sports.
This Tuesday will be a pivotal game for a lot of teams. We are running out of games in the regular season, and there are four games where both teams are ranked in the AP Top 25. This is a chance for the best in the country to prove themselves, and we’ll see who lives up to the hype.
So, what are the best college basketball bets for this Tuesday? Let’s break down three big games and see where the betting odds show value.
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 – 07:00 PM EST at Reed Arena
The Volunteers and Aggies have the two best defenses in the SEC, which is why the totals line for this game is so low. While we expect a defensive chess match, it’s hard to determine who will come out on top.
This is because these teams are trending in opposite directions. The Aggies have a genuine shot to win the SEC regular season title, and Tennessee has lost three of its last four games.
The Aggies do a great job of attacking the paint and getting to the free-throw line. The Volunteers aren’t the most disciplined teams in terms of foul trouble, but they do a solid job of avoiding defensive mistakes.
The Pick
The Vols should have the discipline to stay out of foul trouble, and I like them to pull off the upset on the road. Texas A&M’s luck has to run dry at some point, and I see it happening on Tuesday.
In the meantime, let’s look at another game between two ranked teams.
NCAAB Pick: Tennessee +1.5 (-110) at FanDuel
Baylor Bears vs. Kansas State Wildcats
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 – 07:00 PM EST at Bramlage Coliseum
With the Big 12 standings so close, Kansas State has to win this game to stay in the hunt for the regular season conference title. Thankfully, the Wildcats play this game at home.
Baylor averages 12.1 offensive rebounds per game, which makes them one of the best teams in the country on the offensive glass. The only reason Kansas State’s rebounding numbers are solid is because of how many shots are put up at their pace of play.
Kansas State also struggles with limiting their own turnovers, something Baylor is more than willing to exploit.
The Pick
I want to bet on the home team, but Baylor is so much more solid at the things that lead to wins on the road. They’ll get to the line, crash the glass and take advantage of Kansas State’s mistakes.
In addition, Keyonte George is one of the best freshmen in the conference. I don’t think the Wildcats will have an answer for his dynamic ability.
NCAAB Pick: Baylor -1.5 (-110) at BetMGM
Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Missouri Tigers
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 – 07:00 PM EST at Mizzou Arena
The Bulldogs are right on the bubble at this point in the season. An upset on the road against Missouri could be what propels them into the NCAA Tournament.
Mississippi State has won six of its last seven games, including three road wins and two overtime victories. Needless to say, this team is battle-tested.
Here are some key stats for the Bulldogs this year:
• All SEC victories have been when opponents have scored 65 points or fewer.
• The Bulldogs have suffered three double-digit losses all year, two vs. Tennessee and one vs. Alabama.
• Mississippi State has the worst free-throw percentage among SEC teams in conference play.
The Pick
Missouri has one of the best offenses in the conference, but the Bulldogs have played stifling defense in recent games. Because of that, I’ll pick MSU to at least cover the spread on the road. The struggles at the line keep me from taking the moneyline, but I like this to come down to the wire.
NCAAB Pick: Mississippi State +4.5 (-114) at FanDuel
