One of the best betting weeks of the year rolls on as Champ Week is in full swing before we get to Selection Sunday.
Our staff already outlined their top picks for the afternoon slate, and we're back with three more matchups to bet on Thursday night.
So, read below for our top three college basketball best bets, picks and predictions for Thursday's night games.
(There's a parlay option below, even though that isn't the recommended way to take these picks.)
College Basketball Best Bets for Thursday Night
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 |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
  | 9:30 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. | ||
La Salle vs. Saint Joe's
Every March, a few teams that seemingly have nothing going for them make runs.
The Delaware team that just inched its way to the CAA title game this week was a bad team that had lost 11 of its last 12. Finding the next Delaware isn't easy.
I have half an eye on La Salle.
This is a team and a program that doesn’t have much going for it. Legendary Philadelphia head coach Fran Dunphy announced his ensuing retirement during what would become an eight-game losing streak late in the season.
The school has already announced his replacement, but Dunphy may have one more run up his sleeve.
It would start with this game against Philly rival Saint Joe’s, which the Explorers have already met three times this year — twice in A-10 play and once in the Big 5 Classic. The Hawks won the first two by an average of 13 points, while La Salle shot just 20% from long range in those meetings.
Given a third crack, La Salle won the third meeting with 27 points from Deuce Jones. He’s topped 19 points in all three games versus the Hawks, a clear thorn in the side for Saint Joe’s.
I’ll take the Explorers to keep this one competitive, knowing every player on the Explorers’ roster is auditioning for the new regime or transfer portal.
Pick: La Salle +13.5 (Play to +12.5)
Seattle vs. Abilene Christian
By Sean Paul
Playing away from Redhawk Arena is always an issue for Seattle, which enters as 5.5-point favorites against Abilene Christian.
Seattle has just three wins away from home since December, including victories over Utah Tech and Southern Utah to end the regular season.
I just think Abilene Christian is undervalued here. The Wildcats excel at pressuring defensively, boasting the nation’s best 24% turnover rate. Seattle turns it over 17% of the time, so the Wildcats should be able to successfully push the pace off turnovers.
Both teams are top-100 defenses nationally, so expect a total rock fight here with very little scoring. It just stems down to which team controls the pace, as ACU deploys the 72nd-fastest tempo and Seattle sits 267th in adjusted tempo.
Brette Tanner’s squad doesn’t have too many scorers. The two main options are wing Quion Williams and guard Hunter Jack Madden. Madden is the best shooter on the roster and Williams is the best player.
I see Abilene Christian as a live 'dog here. I think the ML could be a solid value as well.
Pick: Abilene Christian +5.5 (Play to +3)
Kansas vs. Arizona
The Arizona Wildcats and the Kansas Jayhawks will meet on Thursday night, and the winner will advance to the Big 12 Tournament semifinals.
The Wildcats posted a regular season record of 20-11, and that record will earn Tommy Lloyd’s team another trip to the Big Dance next week.
Arizona will attempt to bounce back from a 83-76 loss to this Kansas squad on Saturday in Lawrence.
