🏀 College Basketball Predictions Today: Avila Set To Live up to "College Jokic" Moniker

While only two games on Friday involved ranked programs, there are several massive mid-major matchups across the Atlantic 10, MAC, and MAAC.

With Saint Louis' game against VCU being the headliner at the mid-major level, my college basketball predictions today are locked in on Billikens star Robbie Avila.

🏀 College basketball predictions today: 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: 4 units | Max profit: 3.92 units

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VCU vs. Saint Louis prediction: Robbie Avila Over 4.5 assists (+115) vs. VCU

Josh Schertz's team is dominating the mid-major level at 24-2. But with the Billikens coming off their first conference loss, I'm expecting star Robbie Avila to lead a huge bounce-back performance at home - he's ranked No. 18 in the country in offensive rating.

The 6-foot-10, 240-pound center has earned many nicknames, from "College Jokic" to "Cream Abdul-Jabar," for his dominant, well-rounded game, which includes being among the best big man passers in the nation.

Avila is averaging 4.9 APG in A10 play and shouldn't have trouble setting his teammates up against a VCU defense ranked No. 70 in adjusted efficiency. 

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Akron vs. Ball State prediction: Akron -14.5 (-110) vs. Ball State

Though the MAC is home to the only undefeated team in the country, Akron might be even better than Miami (OH). The Zips are ranked top 50 in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency and sit top 10 in PPG (89.9).

With a high-tempo attack, John Groce's team has been running MAC opponents off the court, behind scorers like Tavari Johnson (20.2 PPG), Amani Lyles (14.5 PPG), and Shammah Scott (12.7 PPG).

Ball State doesn't stand a chance, with the Cardinals having one of the worst offenses in the country (No. 344) and holding a 9-15 ATS record.

Siena vs. Merrimack prediction: Under 132.5 (-105)

Not many people love painstakingly slow basketball ... but if you do, boy is this heavyweight fight in the MAAC for you. Siena and Merrimack both enter with 18-9 records, and offenses ranked outside the top 315 in adjusted tempo.

These teams play like molasses offensively, and both rank top 25 nationally in points allowed per game, with neither giving up more than 67. That's translated to plenty of Unders for both programs this season.

They're a combined 36-18 betting the Under this season, with Merrimack hitting the Over just five times in its last 22 games.

Bowling Green vs. Miami (OH) prediction: Miami (OH) -8 (-110) vs. Bowling Green

Speaking of the only undefeated team in the country, Miami (OH) likely won't need to sweat about a loss until the MAC Tournament. Until then, the RedHawks should fly by the rest of their opponents with an offense that's No. 2 in the country in PPG (92.3).

Travis Steele's team has five different players averaging double-digits in MAC play, and a 3-point heavy approach that's paying off - Miami (OH) is fifth in the country in 3-point percentage (40.2%).

The RedHawks are 9-4 ATS in the MAC, including beating Bowling Green by 10 as a 6.5-point favorite in December.

💡 How I'm betting college basketball today

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

Though there aren't a ton of games on the slate tonight, two of the best mid-majors in the country take the court, Saint Louis and Miami (OH). With those being must-watch matchups, those are a pair of games I'm happily putting a full unit on my best bet for (Avila Over 4.5 assists and the RedHawks to cover -8).

At the same time, Akron has such an advantageous matchup with its offense blowing Ball State's out of the water, making it an obvious play for me at a full unit. Meanwhile, Siena vs. Merrimack is a huge matchup for the MAAC that I'm planning to get eyes on, and the Warriors hit the Under so frequently that I can't pass it up.

🚀 Best college basketball parlay picks today

I love mid-major basketball, so I'm all over going with two of the most potent offenses at that level to cover (Akron and Miami (OH)). Plus, Avila is among the most fun players in the country to watch, and has already beaten VCU once this season. And Siena vs. Merrimack is a matchup of Under juggernauts.