College Basketball Best Bets Today: Expert Picks & Predictions for Sunday (Nov. 9)

There are no AP top 25 teams in action, but my college basketball best bets today still find plenty of value in several games involving Power Conference teams.

Marquette had a poor shooting day in its season opener, which is why my college basketball predictions back an Indiana forward to pull down plenty of rebounds. I also back an 0-2 team to stay within the number and am high on another mid-major after a respectable showing against a ranked team in its first game.

🏀 Best college basketball bets today: Nov. 9

See all of our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds.

💰 Best college basketball predictions for Sunday

⬆️ Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma State prediction: Over 168.5 (-110 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Bucky ball” has made its way from a successful five-year tenure at Samford, and now Bucky McMillan has Texas A&M playing at a lightning-fast pace. The Aggies have averaged 101 points through two games, and this game against an Oklahoma State squad that ranks third in adjusted tempo should provide plenty of fireworks.

The Cowboys saw the Over cash in 58.8% of their home games under head coach Steve Lutz last year, and this game should see both teams easily clear the 80-point plateau.

Caesars is one of a few best sports betting sites charging the standard -110 juice at 52.38% implied odds to back the Over of 168.5. I am laying down my $10 wager there early before the number aligns with the rest of the market at 169.5, in the hopes of netting $9.09 in profits.

⬆️ Lamar Wilkerson player prop: Over 4.5 rebounds (-105 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Indiana forward Lamar Wilkerson is in line to clean up on the defensive glass if Marquette turns in a similar shooting night as it had in the season opener.

The Golden Eagles went 5-for-7 on unguarded catch-and-shoot opportunities, missed eight of 18 layups, and scored 0.44 points per possession under expectation on jump shots, per Synergy.

Wilkerson went Over this projected total in five of 11 games to end last season for Sam Houston State, but he projects to play more minutes this year for head coach Darian DeVries amid a short eight-man rotation.

A $10 winning wager through BetMGM’s -105 odds (51.22% implied probability) would net $9.52 in profits.

I'm targeting another Indiana forward's rebounding total in my Indiana vs. Marquette prediction.

🔥 Lehigh vs. West Virginia prediction: Lehigh +18.5 (-105 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Lehigh fell into an early 12-0 hole in its first game at No. 2 Houston but showed well from there and even outscored the Cougars in the second half en route to a respectable 18-point loss.

That experience will bode well for them against a West Virginia team that is picked to finish 11th out of 16 Big 12 teams in the preseason media poll. 

The Mountaineers have averaged 71.5 points in wins over Mount Saint Mary’s and Campbell but play at the 363rd-slowest tempo. The limited number of possessions will be a big factor in Lehigh covering this big number.

DraftKings has the best number for underdog backers, as the Mountain Hawks are at +17.5 at the opposite end of the market.

🔥 Denver vs. Montana State prediction: Denver +7.5 (-105 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐

Denver is in search of its first win after two losses to Seattle and Washington by an average of 12.5 points. 

The Pioneers are bound to get things going offensively behind an elite ball-screen operator and D2 import Carson Johnson. Thus far, Johnson has more turnovers (seven) than assists (six), but he should find more room to operate against a Montana State defense that ranks 279th or worse in turnover percentage forced and adjusted defensive efficiency.

FanDuel offers the best number and price, as its -105 odds (51.22% implied probability) would return $9.52 in profits if Denver covers.