Get ready for the excitement of college basketball betting as March Madness approaches. We have got the inside scoop on Wednesday’s top games, so join us as we analyze and offer expert insights to help you make informed and strategic betting decisions with the help of OddsShopper’s tools.
College Basketball Betting Picks & Odds | March 1
College Basketball Odds: Vanderbilt (+10.5) vs. Kentucky
One of the more improved teams in conference play, Vanderbilt will look to avenge its 69-53 loss to Kentucky from earlier this season. Liam Robbins should be the biggest factor in this game for Vanderbilt. Robbins did not play in the first matchup, but he grades out as Vanderbilt’s most valuable player by far. With Robbins back and Vanderbilt improving, this spread should be closer in the rematch.
Bart Torvik‘s power rating has Vanderbilt at 85th and Kentucky at 26th. However, Vanderbilt ranks 39th since the month of February, while Kentucky checks in at 13th. Vanderbilt also creates a brutal stylistic matchup for Kentucky. The 7-foot-0 Robbins matches up against Oscar Tshiebwe and has a height advantage. Despite Tshiebwe’s presence, Kentucky’s best quality has been its 3-point shooting. Unfortunately, Vanderbilt ranks 66th in 3-point defense.
College Basketball Expert Betting Pick: Vanderbilt +10.5 (-120) at BetMGM
College Basketball Odds: Missouri vs. LSU O/U 149.5
Missouri beat LSU 87-77 at home in the first matchup between these teams. Missouri shot 48% from 3 and 63% from the interior. LSU did not shoot quite as well, but the Tigers hit 33% of their 3’s and shot 17 free throws. With both teams due for negative shooting regression, the under looks like the sharp side.
Regression aside, both teams have severely reduced their tempo since the beginning of conference play. Missouri ranks 61st in adjusted tempo on the year but only 138th since Jan. 1. Likewise, LSU is 255th in adjusted tempo but only 303rd since Jan. 1. While both teams struggle on defense, the projected slow pace simply does not match up with the listed total.
College Basketball Expert Betting Pick: Under 149.5 (-115) at BetMGM
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College Basketball Odds: Xavier vs. Providence O/U 154.5
OddsShopper’s Insider Access Discord found this as a value at 155, but the -120 juice points towards more potential live movement in the under’s direction. These teams already matched up once this year, with Xavier winning 85-83 in an overtime thriller. However, Xavier and Providence combined for 16 points in overtime, which would have put their original game under the total.
Since that matchup, Xavier has battled multiple injuries, including Zach Freemantle, Souley Boum, Kam Craft, KyKy Tandy and Desmond Claude at various points. This has coincided with a substantial decrease in tempo for Xavier. On the year, Xavier is 57th in adjusted tempo. However, that number has dropped to 161st since the beginning of February. On the other side, Providence has played slow all year, ranking 205th in adjusted tempo. With both defenses improving into the top 70 since the start of conference play, the under should continue to take money here.
College Basketball Expert Betting Pick: Under 154.5 (-120) at BetMGM
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