🏀 College Basketball Predictions Tonight: Darryn Peterson Bounce Back Game

After a wild Tuesday that saw six ranked programs tumble, Wednesday’s slate raises the stakes with 11 top-25 teams in action. 

No. 8 Kansas leads my favorite college basketball predictions today, which also features player props for two all-conference talents, Silas Demary Jr. and Nate Ament.

And don't miss our Arkansas vs. Alabama prediction and BYU vs. Arizona prediction for tonight's ranked matchups on ESPN.

🏀 College basketball predictions tonight: Best player props & ATS picks

See all of our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.

Total wagered: 5 units | Max profit: 5.14 units

💰 Best college basketball bet tonight

Kansas vs. Oklahoma State prediction: Kansas -5.5 (-115) at Oklahoma State

The return of projected top pick Darryn Peterson to the court was anticlimactic for Kansas over the weekend. He did not return with the vengeance of Michael Myers, but the Jayhawks should bounce back against an Oklahoma State team that's 3-8 in Big 12 play (5-7 ATS).

The Pokes have fallen apart, with a defense ranked outside the top 100 in adjusted efficiency. Peterson (19.8 PPG) and Co. should have no trouble scoring, and KU has one of the best defenses in the country (No. 9) thanks to Flory Bidunga.

Kansas has covered in seven of its last nine.

🔥 More college basketball picks & player props tonight

Creighton vs. UConn prediction: Silas Demary Jr. Over 7.5 assists (+115) vs. Creighton

Dan Hurley's UConn team doesn't have a clear star scorer, but it does have one of the best all-around guards in the country. Beyond being a top on-ball defender, Silas Demary Jr. is one of the best passers in the country, sitting 17th nationally in APG (6.4).

The Georgia transfer has been even better against an uncharacteristically weak Big East, dealing 7.3 dimes per game in conference play. He's been his hottest in February, too, averaging eight APG.

Against a Creighton defense ranked No. 125, I'd take Demary to hit this Over with odds as short as -105.

Oklahoma vs. Tennessee prediction: Nate Ament 2+ made 3-pointers (+134) vs. Oklahoma

Despite not being among the freshman littered throughout the Wooden Award odds, Nate Ament has lived up to the hype for Tennessee. The likely NBA lottery pick has really picked up his 3-point shooting in the second half of the season, hitting 35.7% from deep in SEC play.

After hitting just two-plus threes in six of 13 non-conference games, he's drilled at least two triples in five of his last seven SEC matchups. Over that stretch, he's shooting 41.3% from beyond the arc. 

Oklahoma has the worst defense in the conference, and I'd take Ament at any plus-money number.

Vanderbilt vs. Missouri prediction: Vanderbilt -3.5 (-110) at Missouri

One of the best turnarounds in college basketball has shown no signs of slowing down, with Vanderbilt expected to earn a top-four seed in March. That's because the Commodores are one of just seven teams ranked top 20 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.

With All-SEC candidate Tyler Tanner (18.3 PPG, 5.4 APG) leading the offense, Vandy should expose a Missouri defense that's allowed 79-plus in five of its last six. 

Missouri is just 10-15 ATS this season, while the Commodores have covered in four of their last five ... I'd take Vandy to cover by as many as 5.5.

Illinois vs. USC prediction: Over 149.5 (-115) 

If you're looking for a fun nightcap to end a loaded evening of college basketball, Illinois vs. USC features some electric freshmen. Illinois has one of the best scorers in the country in Keaton Wagler (18.5 PPG), while USC has found its identity behind Gilbert Arenas' son, Alijah Arenas (15.4 PPG).

With Wagler leading Brad Underwood's team, the Fighting Illini are No. 1 in adjusted offensive efficiency. Meanwhile, Arenas, who missed the start of the season due to a torn meniscus, has exploded with three straight games of 24-plus.

USC has hit the Over in four of its last five.

💡 How I'm betting college basketball tonight

Follow all of our college basketball analysis and expert predictions this season.

With so many worthwhile games to watch tonight in college basketball, my focus is on betting five games I know I'll be tuned into and backing a bet in each that I have the confidence of wagering a full unit on.

Even with two plus-money player props (Demary, Ament), I like the matchups and the recent play of both players, so I'm comfortable betting a unit on each. Usually, if I can find a player prop with a matchup I like, I'll go with a full unit as long as its odds are shorter than +150 - that changes based on player/matchup if the odds get longer than +150.

🚀 Best college basketball parlay picks tonight

Tonight, I'm backing two of the most exciting players taking the court to keep up their hot streaks, a pair of top-20 teams that are favored on the road against struggling programs, and a matchup that pits two of the best scorers in the Big Ten against each other.