Top College Basketball Parlay Picks for Thursday: Value Found with Favorites on Spread

We are speeding towards the end of conference play, with almost every regular-season race still up for grabs. With less than three weeks until Selection Sunday, it's college basketball's most critical time. Here are our college basketball parlay picks.

We have three crucial matchups tonight across three conferences: the Big East, Ohio Valley, and West Coast Conference. First, we head to Georgetown to see if the Hoyas' 16-game losing streak can finally end against DePaul. Next, we head to the Ohio Valley Conference to enjoy a battle between the two best teams, Murray State and Belmont. Will the Racers' perfect conference season stumble against the rival Bruins? Finally, we travel to California, where the San Francisco Dons try to put a dent in the WCC dominant armor of Gonzaga.

Here are my top parlay picks for Thursday's college basketball matchups (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Thursday's College Basketball Parlay Picks

DePaul -2.5 (-105) vs. Georgetown ???Belmont vs. Murray State -3 (-110) ????Gonzaga vs. San Francisco +10 (-110) ????

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College Basketball Parlay Predictions

DePaul -2.5 (-105)

It has been a difficult year for the Georgetown Hoyas, who are in the midst of a 16-game losing streak. While the oddsmakers see this as one of the Hoyas' best chances to end that slide, I'm backing DePaul on the road.

The Blue Devils only sit at 3-13 in Big East play, but have been bolstered by the return of leading scorer Javon Freeman-Liberty (20.6 points per game), who missed a month with a groin injury. Freeman-Liberty has increased his scoring in the three consecutive games since his return, culminating with 22 points in the Blue Devils' 66-64 loss at Seton Hall on Saturday.

DePaul is lethal on the boards, ranking in the top four in the conference in both offensive and defensive rebounding efficiency. The team should get a myriad of second chances against a Georgetown team that ranks near the bottom of the conference in offensive turnovers, 2-point efficiency, and 2-point defensive efficiency.

DePaul earned an 82-74 win at home over the Hoyas without Freeman-Liberty available. This line has fluctuated between DePaul -2 to -3 since posted. I am very comfortable laying the small number with the Blue Devils, as the more talented and now healthy roster.

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Murray State -3 (-110)

Belmont sits at 14-2 in the Ohio Valley Conference and 24-5 overall. However, the Bruins still trail Murray State by two full games, as the Racers are a perfect 16-0 in the OVC.

The Racers rank as the top team in both offensive and defensive efficiency in conference play. They also hold their OVC opponents to just 28.3% from beyond the arc, a critical skill against the explosive Bruins offense. Belmont generates over 31% of its points from beyond the arc, with four players carrying 96 or more attempts from deep this season.

In their first matchup, the Racers crushed the Bruins 82-60 in Nashville. This is senior night for Murray State and the team can win the OVC regular-season title outright. The Racers' relentless rebounding, superior defense, and huge home-court advantage should be enough to get by the Bruins tonight.

As of writing, 83% of the tickets and 85% of the money is backing Murray State, meaning the public and sharps are aligned on this college basketball parlay pick.

San Francisco +10 (-110)

San Francisco suffered a 78-62 road loss to Gonzaga earlier this year in Spokane. However, the Dons were very competitive in that game, trailing by only three points at halftime. I expect this game to be much closer and will grab the 10.5 points with the Dons at home.

San Francisco brings a solid defensive profile, ranking top 20 in adjusted defensive efficiency, effective field-goal percentage allowed, and 3-point percentage defense. Head coach Todd Golden also brings superior 2-point efficiency marks for the Dons, who convert inside the arc at the 21st-best rate (55.3%). The Dons' backcourt of Jamaree Bouyea (17.2 PPG) and Khalil Shabazz (13.2 PPG) can control the pace of the game, keeping San Francisco always in striking distance.

Gonzaga is metrically superior to every team it faces, but San Francisco has the backcourt talent and overall defense to keep this game within single digits. There will be a ton of excitement in the building for the Dons, especially on Senior Night. I'm grabbing the double-digit spread with a talented home San Francisco team.

As usual, Gonzaga is taking the majority of bets and money. I wouldn't be surprised to see this line approach San Francisco +11.5 before tipoff.

Combined Odds: DePaul -2.5 ( -105) + Murray State -3 (-110) + San Francisco +10 (-110) = +611

Where to Bet on College Basketball Picks

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College basketball parlay picks made 2/24/2022 at 1:19 p.m. ET