It’s the first Wednesday of the month, and while the ACC/SEC Challenge has the headlines, college hoops keeps delivering fresh edges with tonight’s Big Sky-Summit Challenge tipping off as well.
The multi-bid dreams of both leagues are on the line early, and sharp money is already circling these mid-major clashes.
Read below for today’s college basketball best bets, including three NCAAB expert picks, predictions and odds for Wednesday, December 3.
College Basketball Best Bets
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m | |
  | 9 p.m | |
  | 9 p.m | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Maine vs. Ohio
Picked fourth in the preseason poll, Ohio’s 1-6 start to the season is a clear disappointment. Even factoring in the schedule (top 50 in the country, per KenPom), the start has been well below par.
However, I still believe in this Bobcats squad. They returned four key pieces from last season's solid squad, and key additions Jalen Breath and Elijah Elliott are both getting comfortable after missing time with injuries.
The Bobcats have flashed some upside, battling with Louisville on the road before fading badly late, and a win over Illinois State should age well.
Ohio has struggled badly with two-way 3-point shooting. The Bobcats have made just 27.0% from beyond the arc, 332nd nationally. Meanwhile, their opponents are at 40.1%, ranking Ohio’s defense 344th nationally.
ShotQuality has the Bobcats slated for a combined 8.4% of positive regression within those two numbers. Though it may not happen all at once, a contest at home against by far their worst opponent of the season should provide a solid place to start.
Of note, Maine opponents have made just 25.9% of their triples. An Ohio deluge from deep would not be shocking. This is also Maine’s fourth game in six days after playing in an MTE at American University Friday through Sunday.
Overall, this wager represents me still backing a favorite I believe in with some potential regression on their side against a clearly inferior foe.
Pick: Ohio -11 (Play to -12)
Pacific vs. Air Force
Keeping with the theme of Ohio, this is me backing a team I have been higher on all season than the market against an opponent that has struggled badly out of the gates.
Unlike Ohio, though, Pacific has been a quality wager this season, currently sitting at 5-2 ATS. Air Force, on the other hand, is 3-5-1.
The Falcons had a mini-surge after Kyle Marshall left the team, rallying around a young core to knock off three mid-major foes in Fort Collins (Alabama St., SIUE, IU Indy).
They fell convincingly to Northern Colorado and South Dakota in their last two outings, though, and the stark lack of veteran talent is rearing its ugly head.
The altitude is a slight concern, but Air Force’s style – the Falcons rank 340th nationally in tempo, per KenPom – mitigates that risk. The host Falcons have no depth and thus want the game to stay in the half-court.
Pacific is well-coached under Canadian legend Dave Smart (591-48 record at Carleton, 13 national championships), and he raised the talent level via the transfer portal this offseason.
That should help the Tigers handle Air Force’s myriad zone looks on defense (36.5% of the time per Synergy) despite not seeing any zone so far this season.
Expect a big game from versatile forward Elias Ralph, an inside-out threat who can score from all over the floor.
Pick: Pacific -6.5 (Play to -7.5)
Eastern Washington vs. Denver
The Big Sky-Summit Challenge tips off tonight, and Denver welcomes Dan Monson’s Eagles to town as part of that event. Both teams have been strong against the number so far this year, with the host Pioneers going 5-2 ATS to barely outpace Eastern Washington’s 4-2 mark.
So far this season, the Pioneers have been one of my favorite teams to bet on due to their Division II DNA.
New coach Tim Bergstraser put together an excellent resume at Minnesota State-Moorhead (75-22 overall, three D-II NCAA Tournament appearances) and brought multiple key pieces with him from that lower level.
That continuity has helped Denver quickly outpace meager preseason expectations (up 64 spots in KenPom).
Chief among those imports from Moorhead is star guard Carson Johnson, a sophomore sensation who was made to get buckets (18.1 PPG).
Along with Division I transfers Jeremiah Burke (North Dakota State) and Julius Rollins (Western Illinois), the Pioneers have built an imposing attack that can score inside or out.
Situationally, this is an excellent spot for Denver. The Pioneers are back home after a full week off, having recently played three consecutive road games at challenging venues (Colorado State, Arizona, Wyoming).
Eastern Washington’s vulnerable interior defense provides a perfect “get right” game for the Pioneers, even with Eastern Washington also well-rested.
Pick: Denver -2.5 (Play to -4)
