🏀 College Basketball Predictions Today: Can Wagler Make a Dent Against Michigan?

After an instant classic in the Big Ten last night, Friday's slate is highlighted by another heavyweight clash with No. 1 seed ramifications.

No. 3 Michigan vs. No. 10 Illinois is what everyone will be watching tonight, and it leads off my college basketball predictions today. However, there is a trio of mid-major games featuring teams pushing to make March Madness that could be just as fun. 

🏀 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: 3.45 units

💰 Best college basketball bet today

Michigan vs. Illinois prediction: Keaton Wagler Over 16.5 points (-125) vs. Michigan

Michigan is the March Madness odds favorite, but it hasn't seen an offense as explosive as Illinois' yet. The Fighting Illini are ranked No. 1 in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency thanks to freshman phenom Keaton Wagler.

Wagler, who wasn't even a top-100 recruit, is now a projected top 10 pick after emerging as one of the top scorers in the country (18.2 PPG, 42% from three).

In Big Ten play, the freshman has taken it up to 20.7 PPG. Against ranked Big Ten teams, he's averaging 25.6 PPG and has gone Over 16.5 in four of five matchups.

🔥 More college basketball picks & player props today

Yale vs. Cornell prediction: Yale -3.5 (-115) at Cornell

It's another year of Yale dominance in the Ivy League, with the Bulldogs expected to make the NCAA Tournament for a third straight season, and the fourth time in the last five. That's because James Jones' team once again has one of the top offenses in the country (83 PPG).

Led by likely Ivy League Player of the Year Nick Townsend (16.5 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 4.2 APG), Yale is No. 27 in adjusted offensive efficiency and has beaten eight straight non-Harvard opponents by four-plus points. That includes beating Cornell by 34 last month.

The Big Red are just 9-13 ATS.

Dayton vs. George Washington prediction: Dayton +3.5 (-110) at George Washington

The A10 might end up being a multi-bid league with the way Dayton has played. The Flyers have won five of their last six, including taking down No. 23 Saint Louis by double digits earlier this week.

During Dayton's four-game winning streak, it has covered in each matchup, winning by an average margin of 13.2. The Flyers' defense is ranked No. 43 in adjusted efficiency and is in the top 60 in the country in steals (8.7) and blocks per game (4.3).

Anthony Grant's team matches up well against a George Washington program that leans heavily on offense.

Akron vs. Kent State prediction: Over 165.5 (-115)

Basketball in the MAC is like football in the Big 12 in the mid-2000s ... just electric offense and very little defense. Akron is right there with undefeated Miami (OH) in the conference because the Zips are top 10 in the country in PPG (89.8) behind two lethal scorers.

Both Tavari Johnson and Amani Lyles are threats to go for 20-plus against a Kent State defense sitting 325th in points allowed per game (79.7). But the Golden Flashes will do their part for the Over, too.

Kent State is 20th in the country in PPG (85.6) and 16-10 betting the Over.

💡 How I'm betting college basketball today

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

There's a very obvious game that every college basketball bettor will be invested in tonight, and that's Michigan vs. Illinois. So, of course, I plan to have multiple units on the top 10 Big Ten clash, but taking the Over on Keaton Wagler's points is my favorite play. 

That line is surprisingly low at our best sports betting sites, with Wagler consistently having his line set at 17.5 or higher in most matchups. And while this is an elite Wolverines' defense, I'd still take the Over on Wagler at any number below 19.5.

As for the other three games I'm betting on, they're all mid-major matchups between teams that have a shot at winning their conference and making the NCAA Tournament. I'd bet Yale up to -4.5, Dayton at +3.5 or better, and the Over on Akron vs. Kent State at any number below 167.5.

🚀 Best college basketball parlay picks today

Michigan vs. Illinois is a must-bet, but I love the odds I'm getting on the three mid-major matchups I'm on, too. This is one of my favorite college basketball SGPs of the year.