This situational spots article had a great week last week, going 4-2, with the quick hitters going 2-0. My overall record since moving this to a weekly piece sits at 16-10.
The college hardwood action is really starting to heat up now as conference tournaments get underway, and I have identified some spots this week that may present betting value as we inch closer to Selection Sunday.
So, here's college basketball predictions and picks, including five NCAAB situational spots to target.
- Last Week: 4-2 | 16-10 Overall
UNC Wilmington vs. Elon
Senior night in Wilmington was electric, and for 30 minutes the Seahawks were well on their way to clinching the top seed in the upcoming CAA Tournament.
UNC Wilmington was up 15 in the first half against rival Charleston, but it couldn't close the door, letting the game slip through its fingers.
This matchup now becomes critically important in securing the No. 1 seed, which UNC Wilmington will do with a win on the road on Tuesday against Elon.
The Phoenix have been fading of late, with only a pair of victories against William & Mary sandwiched between nine conference losses over the last five weeks.
The first meeting between these two saw Elon score just 54 points (it had just 37 at the under-10 timestamp of the second half), as the Seahawks' defense completely stifled Elon’s offense.
I would expect a sound defensive showing here for the Seahawks, who've had a significant boost offensively due to the emergence of Jahnathan Lamothe chipping in double figures scoring in each of the last four games.
I'll seek to bet UNC Wilmington here laying five or less.
Pick: UNC Wilmington ATS
Fordham vs. La Salle
Fordham has been a great under team for us all season, as 11 of its 16 conference games have stayed under the posted total.
The Rams hit the road to Philadelphia for a bout with the Explorers, who are another great under team (10 of their 16 in-conference contests have stayed under the total).
Earlier this season, these two played a 64-58 game that saw just 61 total possessions.
Having played a stretch of games against faster-paced teams recently, I'll assume La Salle will seek to slow the pace significantly in this one.
The Explorers' only win in the last 45 days has come against Rhode Island, where the pace was slow and La Salle leaned on its 3-point defense to force contested, low-percentage shots.
I expect this one to be played at 60 possessions, and both offenses should struggle to get into the 60s. I'll look to play the under
Pick: Under Total Points
Drake vs. Southern Illinois
"Arch Madness" is back for another rendition, and this venue has been one that's produced first-half unders at a high rate.
I want to lean in on that here. Southern Illinois has the most efficient defense in the conference, and it's a unit that's strong at defending the arc.
Drake likes to bomb away from deep, but in the two regular-season matchups against Southern Illinois, the Bulldogs were a combined 15-of-59 from deep.
If the shots aren’t falling early, Drake could be forced into a more methodical offensive approach, while trying to get Isaiah Carr and Okku Federiko more involved on the block.
The first two meetings between these two teams saw 67 and 63 first-half points, and I'll seek to bet the first-half under in this postseason matchup.
Pick: 1H Under
Charleston Southern vs. Winthrop
Charleston Southern just defeated Winthrop a week ago, and they took the Eagles to the wire in the first regular-season meeting.
The Buccaneers are probably a better team than their record would suggest, as they had nine single-digit conference losses.
They've won four of six games down the stretch, and Charleston Southern is the best 3-point shooting team in the Big South.
Their defense can be effective in the post, and A’lahn Sumler is capable of going off for 25 points against any opponent in this league.
I'm taking the Buccaneers in this Big South Tournament duel.
Pick: Charleston Southern ATS
Houston vs. Oklahoma State
The Cougars are a completely superior basketball team compared to Oklahoma State. While the Pokes have played better at home this season, this team is fading down the stretch, having lost six of seven games.
The momentum of having defeated BYU at home is completely gone, and Oklahoma State has played its way out of the NCAA Tournament. The Cowboys could get eaten alive in the painted area on both ends of the floor against Houston’s big men.
Houston is fighting for Big 12 Tournament seeding, and there's still a chance this team rises back up to the two-line in the NCAA Tournament.
I think the three-game losing streak fired these guys up, and I would expect them to win this game convincingly to close out the regular season.
Pick: Houston ATS
