It’s the last Saturday of February with a full card of college basketball games to bet on. Our expert NCAAB handicappers take a look at some matchups and give their free comp picks and predictions with details on why they like a side or total.
Doc’s Sports
Florida State vs. North Carolina
Sat, Feb 23 ’19, 3:45 PM ET
I think that the Seminoles can bang the Heels for a bit in this one. North Carolina has their monster showdown with Duke on Wednesday. They could be dealing with a hangover from that one when FSU comes to town.
The Seminoles have been on fire. They have won seven straight and, frankly, other than an OT win over Louisville on Feb. 9 none of those wins have been even close. This team was really beat up early in conference play.
Now that they are healthy they are nasty. They have size, experience and talent. And right now they are one of the most underrated teams in the ACC.
I absolutely think that this team will make this one a game and that they will be able to hang with the Tar Heels and make this number stand up.
Pick: Florida State +7.5 (-110) at 5Dimes
Stephen Nover
St. Bonaventure vs. Fordham
Sat, Feb 23 ’19, 4:30 PM ET
In the mood to watch a bad Atlantic 10 Conference game? Didn’t think so. Chalk this one up to being one of those hold-your-nose taking the home underdog by playing the value card.
I just don’t think St. Bonaventure is that much better than Fordham where the Bonnies should be laying this many points on the road. The Bonnies have won three in a row. They haven’t won four straight all season. They are a sub .500 team.
Fordham is 11-15 and 2-11 in the Atlantic 10 and coming off a 72-69 loss to Richmond on Wednesday, in a game the Rams nearly pulled out.
The Rams are competitive. Despite their poor conference record, they have just a minus-six scoring margin in league. The Rams should be pumped for this matchup having lost to St. Bonaventure, 72-61, on Jan. 12.
Pick: Fordham +4 (-105) at Bovada
Jimmy Boyd
South Carolina vs. Mississippi State
Sat, Feb 23 ’19, 6:00 PM ET
Absolutely love the value here with South Carolina as a near double-digit road dog against the Bulldogs. You wouldn’t guess by the spread that it’s the Gamecocks who are 9-4 in SEC play, while Mississippi State comes in at just 7-6.
No one wants to give this South Carolina team any respect the past two years. The Gamecocks are 16-4-1 ATS in their last 21 conference games, which includes a 10-3 ATS mark this season.
These two teams already played once this season and South Carolina won 87-82, despite only shooting 41% from the field (dominated the glass). I just don’t think a change in venue is going to result in a 15-point swing in favor of Mississippi St.
Last time out the Gamecocks rolled Ole Miss 79-64 as a 3-point home dog, while Mississippi State won 68-67 as a 6.5-point road favorite at Georgia thanks to a technical foul called on Georgia in the final seconds for a fan throwing an object on the court.
Adding to all this is a great system in play favoring a Gamecocks cover. Underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 who are off an upset conference win by 10 or more are 28-8 (78%) ATS since 1997 when facing an opponent who is off a road win where they failed to cover the spread. Take South Carolina!
Pick: South Carolina +9.5 (-109) at GTBets
Brandon Lee
Kansas vs. Texas Tech
Sat, Feb 23 ’19, 8:00 PM ET
10* FREE NCAAB PICK (Kansas +5.5)
I’ll take my chances here with Kansas as a 5.5-point road dog against the Red Raiders. I just feels like everyone is falling into the trap of this is the year the Jayhawks are going to fail to win the Big 12. I wouldn’t bet against it happening again, especially with how this team is trending. Kansas has went to a very young lineup and it’s working. They have won 3 straight and 4 of 5 overall, which includes a 79-63 thrashing of Texas Tech in Lawrence.
The defense has been really good for Kansas during this stretch. I know defense is the bread and butter for the Red Raiders, but like we saw in the last meeting between these two, good offense beats good defense. I also think Tech is also getting a little too much love for their 6-1 run over their last 7, as the schedule has really set up nicely.
Jayhawks are 15-6 ATS last 21 on the road against elite teams that shoot 45% or better from the field and hold their opponent to 42% or worse. They are also a perfect 6-0 ATS last 6 on the road vs really good defensive teams that are holding opponents to 39% shooting or worse. Give me Kansas +5.5!
Pick: Kansas +5.5 (-106) at Pinnacle
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