College Basketball Best Bets for Sunday: Matchups, Odds, Picks, Predictions
Though many eyes around the country will be glued to the NFL, Sunday’s college basketball slate offers plenty of intrigue. We have highlighted the odds, movements, and our college basketball best bets for Sunday.
There are three ranked vs. ranked matchups on Sunday's slate, headlined by two top-10 battles. No. 2 Gonzaga and No. 4 Kentucky both suffered losses this week, but the Bulldogs are excited to have one of their most marquee opponents in school history make a trip out to Washington.
In addition, many expected No. 8 UCLA and No. 5 Baylor to meet in Las Vegas this week. But not many expected it to be in the third-place game in the Main Event in Las Vegas after each suffered losses on Friday.
Here are our best bets for Sunday’s college basketball slate (odds via BetMGM, PointsBet, and FanDuel Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).
Sunday’s College Basketball Schedule and Odds
(odds via DraftKings Sportsbook)
- James Madison (+490) vs. North Carolina (-660)
- Illinois (+105) vs. Virginia (-125)
- Texas A&M (-205) vs. Loyola Chicago (+175)
- Delaware State vs. UConn (No Moneyline, -32)
- UCLA (+120) vs. Baylor (-140)
- Indiana (-20000) vs. Miami (OH) (+3500)
- Kentucky (+120) vs. Gonzaga (-140)
- Ohio (+850) vs. Michigan (-1400)
- Houston (-300) vs. Oregon (+250)
Sunday’s College Basketball Best Bets
- Moneyline: Houston (-275 via BetMGM) ★★★★★
- Spread: Penn State -4.5 (-110 via FanDuel) ★★★★
- Total: James Madison-UNC Over 157.5 (-110 via PointsBet) ★★★★
- Upset: Miami (Off) ★★
- Prop bet: Niagara Under 66.5 (-115 via FanDuel) ★★★★
Top College Basketball Picks for Sunday
Moneyline: Houston (-275) ★★★★★
After three Sweet 16s, two Elite Eights, and a Final Four run in the previous five seasons, not many teams have been as successful in that span as Houston. The scary thing is this might be Kelvin Sampson’s most talented team.
Many of those prior Houston teams struggled offensively and hung their hat on rock-solid defense to grind out wins in the biggest games. However, this year’s Cougars team has bludgeoned three respectable opponents (Northern Colorado, Saint Joseph’s, and Oral Roberts) by an average of 37 points and averaged 81.7 points per game in the process.
Marcus Sasser is a Player of the Year candidate, and Oregon has been prone to too many scoring droughts early in the season to keep up with Houston. It is in for a long night if it does not shoot better from 3-point range (4-for-21 against UC Irvine).
Spread: Penn State -4.5 (-110) ★★★★
Colorado State continues to play without its best player, Isaiah Stevens. Much was expected of Stevens after he scored 14.7 points per game and led the team in assists last season. Though his absence did not hurt the Rams against South Carolina, the lack of playmaking manifested itself against Charleston, against which the Rams shot 4-for-16 from 3-point range.
However, the most concerning takeaway from the 10-point loss was that they shot 16 fewer free throws than Charleston, as they could not keep the Cougars out of the paint.
Penn State has gotten 51.7% of its points from 3-point range (third-most in the country), but it becomes a much more dangerous offense if it can mix in drives off the catch, which the Rams should allow.
Total: James Madison-North Carolina Over 157.5 (-110) ★★★★
James Madison ranks in the top 11 in the country in adjusted tempo, and it is tied for first in the country with 105.3 points per game. The Dukes know how to play only one way and are not about to take their foot off the gas just because they are playing the No. 1 team in the country.
Hubert Davis’ Tar Heels have been waiting for an offensive breakout (held to 72 or fewer points in two of their first three games), and it should come against a Dukes team that will allow them to do what they do best, get out in transition.
Upset: Miami (Off) ★★
Congratulations to Miami head coach Jim Larranaga on win No. 700. It was the Hurricanes’ fourth double-digit victory to start the season, and the team looks every bit as capable of getting back to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive season.
The trio of Jordan Miller, Isaiah Wong, and Nijel Pack (transfer from Kansas State) have blended seamlessly through four games and combined to score 38 points in Saturday’s win against the Friars. Their ability to break defenders down and create their own shots is a big reason the Hurricanes rank in the top 30 in adjusted offensive efficiency. However, if the team consistently gets 19 points from Norchad Omier from the front court, it will be tough to beat.
Maryland will likely be favored in this game after a 95-point explosion against Saint Louis. But Travis Ford’s Billikens have struggled defensively all season (force turnovers at the 352nd-lowest rate), and we do not expect a repeat performance against a tough ACC squad.
Prop Pick: Loyola Chicago Under 66.5 (-115) ★★★★
Buzz Williams’ Texas A&M squad has been exposed in Myrtle Beach thus far, allowing a combined 191 points to Murray State and Colorado. This is an opportunity to get right defensively against a Loyola Chicago team that turns the ball over on 27.2% of its possessions (352nd-worst).
The Ramblers shoot just 23.4% from deep and will have many empty trips against an Aggies defense that forces turnovers at a top-57 rate.
Where to Bet on College Basketball
Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:
College basketball best bets from 11/20/2022 at 7:08 a.m. ET.
