🏀 College Basketball Predictions Today: Jeremy to Put Fear Into Rutgers

Though just two top 25 teams hit the hardwood in college basketball tonight, several conference tournaments have already tipped off ahead of Selection Sunday on March 15.

While my college basketball predictions today do focus on No. 8 Michigan State's biggest star, I'm also backing the Summit League and Patriot League favorites in the first games of their respective conference tournaments.

Don't miss our college basketball conference tournament guide for the details on all 31 conference tournaments.

🏀 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: 3.91 units

💰 Best college basketball bet today

Rutgers vs. Michigan State prediction: Jeremy Fears Jr. Over 9.5 assists (+100) vs. Rutgers

In Michigan State's final home game of the season, Jeremy Fears Jr. is set to put on a show for the Sparty faithful. The likely All-American leads the country in APG (9.1) and has hit triple-digit apples in six Big Ten games this season, including four of his last seven.

Fears is among the best passers in the country, and should expose a Rutgers defense that's allowing the second-most PPG in Big Ten play (80.3).

The Scarlet Knights sit outside the top 150 in adjusted defensive efficiency and are allowing 17 APG to Big Ten opponents, third-most in the conference. 

🔥 More college basketball picks & player props today

Oral Roberts vs. North Dakota State prediction: North Dakota State -11.5 (-102) vs. Oral Roberts

This isn't your slightly older cousin's Oral Roberts, the one that upset Ohio State as a No. 15 seed. The Golden Eagles have fallen on tough times, ranking No. 310 in the country in adjusted efficiency and going 17-45 the last two seasons.

North Dakota State is the No. 1 seed in the Summit League Tournament for a reason. The Bison are in the top 70 in the country in PPG (81.5) behind one of the most efficient 3-point attacks in the country.

With a loaded guard-heavy lineup, NDSU can add to its 17-11 ATS record.

Bucknell vs. Navy prediction: Navy -15.5 (-105) vs. Bucknell

Navy is having its best basketball season since the 80s, with the Midshipmen being the No. 1 seed in the Patriot League Tournament. Jon Perry's team has one of the best mid-major defenses in the country, allowing the fifth-fewest PPG nationally (63.3).

With a lockdown defense, Navy should have no trouble blowing out a Bucknell team that's 341st in the country in PPG (67.3) and has failed to cover in six of its last eight.

Having already beaten the Bison twice this season by an average margin of 18.5 points, Austin Benigni and Co. are poised to handle Bucknell again.

South Florida vs. Memphis prediction: South Florida -6.5 (-102) at Memphis

The collapse of Memphis could be the death knell for Penny Hardaway at his alma mater. The Tigers are on a six-game losing streak and have failed to cover in all six games.

During those six games, Memphis has lost by an average margin of 14.1 points. That includes a 21-point loss to South Florida on Feb. 19.

The Bulls have one of the most electric offenses in the country, ranking top 10 in PPG (88.3) and top 20 in adjusted tempo. That pace has helped USF cover in five of its last six.

💡 How I'm betting college basketball today

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

With so much conference tournament action tonight, on top of a few Big Ten and American games worth watching, there are so many betting options. For my favorite play, I've settled on backing one of the best players in the country (Fears) against one of the worst high-major defenses. I'd play a full unit on Fears' Over on assists at any price longer than -115.

As a conference tournament lover, I'm also all in on two No. 1 seeds playing tonight, North Dakota State and Navy. Both are among the best mid-majors in the country, and I'd take the Bison up to -12.5 and the Midshipmen up to -16.5. 

Meanwhile, Memphis has been one of my favorite teams to bet against down the stretch, and South Florida is a potential Cinderella I highlighted in my March Madness bracket predictions.

🚀 Best college basketball parlay picks today

Fears is the best guard hitting the floor tonight, and he's taking on an abysmal Rutgers defense. North Dakota State, Navy, and South Florida are all expected to win their conference tournaments and reach March Madness.