Nothing gets bigger than No. 3 UConn vs. No. 7 BYU from TD Garden on Saturday.
However, we also have a rather large slate of games, and that means there's plenty of value to find in the sport.
Read below for college basketball best bets, expert picks, predictions and odds for Saturday, November 15.
College Basketball Best Bets, Picks
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 11 a.m. | |
  | 6 p.m. | |
  | 7 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. | ||
South Alabama vs. Coppin State
Coppin State vs. South Alabama (-17.5) in the morning is an interesting matchup when comparing odds to PRO Projections.
First off, Action PRO's line is just South Alabama -11.5. That's a B-grade confidence in Coppin State.
However, the stronger pick, worthy of an A+ edge, is the total.
In the largest over/under edge for Saturday, scoop up the Coppin State vs. South Alabama under.
PRO hoops data popped with a fair combined total, more like 134 for the Eagles vs. Jaguars.
Pick: Under 143.5
Check out Alex's full PRO article here:
William & Mary vs. St. John's
By Evan Abrams
The Johnnies had a week off after dropping a fast-paced game to Alabama at Madison Square Garden. Now the Johnnies get another fast-paced opponent in William & Mary, this time at Carnesecca Arena.
Speaking of up-tempo, both of these teams rank in the top 10 of KenPom's adjusted tempo rankings, with the Tribe checking in at sixth and the Johnnies landing at eighth.
In other words, the over is in play, and I have a profitable system — "Don't Over-think It" — that backs this stance.
This system focuses on straightforward logic when it comes to college basketball total betting by identifying games where both teams have shown a consistent trend toward high scoring.
When both the home and visiting teams have gone over in at least half of their games, it signals that offensive rhythm and tempo outweigh defensive variance.
These matchups often feature teams comfortable in fast-paced environments, with shooting efficiency and possessions driving outcomes above expectations.
By targeting games with closing totals in a reasonable range, the system avoids inflated lines and capitalizes on spots where the market may hesitate to adjust enough for sustained offensive performance, proving that sometimes the simplest angle is the right one.
Pick: Over 174.5
UConn vs. BYU
By Jim Root
Despite the AJ Dybantsa homecoming (he hails from Boston), this crowd is going to be massively pro-UConn. The Huskies’ fanbase proliferates the entire eastern seaboard, and any arena in that region – see Madison Square Garden – fills up with the UConn faithful, including this game at TD Garden.
Add in the egregiously different travel agendas, and the Huskies likely warrant some home-court edge here.
From a matchup lens, Dybantsa could excel, despite UConn having bodies – Jaylin Stewart, Jayden Ross, Alex Karaban – to throw at him.
He’s too good off the bounce to be fully contained, and the Huskies’ propensity to hack should put him at the charity stripe frequently. The same goes for Robert Wright III, Richie Saunders and even Keba Keita.
At the same time, though, it’s difficult to imagine BYU consistently stopping UConn. No Kennard Davis Jr. (DUI) means a smallish backcourt of Wright and Dawson Baker, and while Keita is an influential interior stalwart, the personnel here is shaky.
Without its starting point guard, Delaware racked up 1.11 PPP against BYU. It could get ugly against the talent and scheme of the Huskies.
I’m torn between a UConn wager and backing the over. I think both have some appeal, but I'll ultimately go with the favorite Huskies. The high stakes and NBA atmosphere could help the pace, but both teams’ defenses have forced stunningly long possessions this year. I don’t want to mess with that.
Give me the Huskies up to -6.5, as I don't think this developing version of BYU is ready for such a stiff test in a UConn-heavy environment.
Pick: UConn -4.5 (Play to -6.5)
