Another night of college basketball takes center stage as three top-25 teams are in action, including the first game of the season for the defending national champs.
But I'm focused on the three games with the most betting value tonight.
So, here's college basketball best bets and predictions, including three picks for Wednesday's NCAAB games on November 6.
College Basketball Best Bets, Predictions
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our college basketball betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 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. | ||
Campbell vs. Virginia
By Ky McKeon
Tony Bennett’s decision to retire sent shockwaves across college basketball, and it was also, like, super not cool to his team.
Virginia without Bennett is like a canoe without a paddle – even though Bennett’s long-time friend and assistant Ron Sanchez takes the wheel, he pales in comparison to Bennett on the sidelines.
Virginia lacks topflight talent seen across other rosters in the ACC. The Hoos lost their two best players from last season and brought in three transfers that have underwhelmed to this point in their careers.
Under Bennett, it was easy to believe in the upside of the transfers; under Sanchez, it’s far easier to buy the downside.
Campbell is no juggernaut, but the Camels do have one thing going for them: they play at one of the slowest paces in the country on an annual basis. Head coach Kevin McGeehan is a Princeton offense subscriber, meaning his teams usually play in the half-court and work the rock, melting off the shot clock in the process.
Virginia isn’t suddenly going to become an up-tempo team under Sanchez – in fact, he even said things will largely stay the same.
17 is a ton of points in a game that could barely crack 60 possessions.
Hold your nose, fade the Hoos and take the big 'dog.
Pick: Campbell +17 (Play to +16)
Columbia vs. Villanova
By Ky McKeon
Columbia is a sexy pick to vault up the Ivy standings this season. The Lions return nearly everyone from last season, and head coach Jim Engles’ slow rebuild could finally come to fruition.
His offense is light years better than the Columbia of old – it’s always fun backing big 'dogs that can actually shoot. Senior guard Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa will be one of the best guards on the floor.
Nova’s hate among preseason prognosticators has gone too far, but this team does have a lot to prove under Kyle Neptune. The Cats woefully underperformed their roster last season, so why should we believe they will perform any better with less talent?
Columbia can struggle this season against athleticism and size, but that’s not really Villanova’s strengths.
The Cats will play four or five out and often go smaller with Eric Dixon at the five. Columbia has no match for Dixon, but at least the Lions won't get crushed on the glass or overwhelmed athletically. Villanova allows a ton of 3s, and that will play right into Columbia’s hands.
We saw Villanova play with its food, as it was unable to extend already this season on opening day against Lafayette. Columbia has far more firepower, so if the Lions can put up some sort of effort defensively, they should be able to stay within the number.
Pick: Columbia +17 (Play to +16)
Western Illinois vs. Pepperdine
By Ky McKeon
Western Illinois is a sneaky team this season.
Head coach Chad Boudreau is quietly one of the best up-and-coming clipboard holders in the country. He served as an assistant for Rob Jeter for some very good Milwaukee teams about a decade ago, dominated at the JUCO level (winning 78% of his games) and led the Leathernecks to their best season since 2013 in 2023-24.
WIU just knocked off a solid San Jose State squad poised to bounce back from a down campaign. That is no easy feat, especially considering the travel across the country.
Now the Leathernecks make a short hop over to Malibu to take on a Pepperdine team in transition.
Ed Schilling was a bizarre hire at Pepperdine. He coached Wright State for six seasons in the late 90s/early 2000s, winning less than 45% of his games. He then spent time as an assistant for some big name programs.
He inherits a rough situation at Pepperdine. The Waves bring just one player back from last season, and their transfer class is underwhelming — at best.
Many think this is easily the worst team in the WCC.
Expect the better coach with a game under his belt and short travel to emerge victorious in this one.
