Top College Basketball Parlay Picks for Monday: Back Underdogs in Conference Tournament Play

Mike Randle

Last Updated: March 7, 2022 6:25 AM EST • 3 min 21 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 22: Head coach Jon Coffman of the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastadons reacts after a play in the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at Value City Arena on November 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. Justin Casterline/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Justin Casterline / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

We kick off the week with our college basketball parlay picks featuring three underdogs.

We have three picks for our Monday college basketball parlay, with three semifinal battles. First, we head to the Colonial Athletic Association, where Delaware will try to solve the riddle that is Towson. The Blue Hens have been competitive, but have failed to beat the Tigers in two tries this season.

Next, we look at the two remaining Horizon League games. First, Wright State tries to continue its newfound postseason momentum against the No. 1 overall seed, Cleveland State. Next, the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons try to reach the Horizon League final, in just their second year in the conference, against the always tough Northern Kentucky Norse.

Can three underdog picks hit for our Monday NCAAB parlay?

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

Monday's College Basketball Parlay Picks

Delaware +5.5 (-110) vs. Towson ????Wright State +1(-110)vs. Cleveland State ????Purdue Fort Wayne +2(-110)vs. Northern Kentucky ???

College Basketball Parlay Predictions

Delaware +5.5 (-110)

The Blue Hens have competed with the best in the CAA all season, as a result of their superbly efficient offense. Delaware ranks second within the conference in 3-point efficiency (37.2%) and 2-point percentage (54.7%). They also rank first overall among all conference teams in effective field-goal percentage, while limiting the opposition to just 48.3% inside the arc (second-best in the CAA).

Delaware can get beat from deep, where it allows opponents to shoot over 37% from 3-point range in CAA games. However, Towson only generated 30.8% of its points from outside the arc, ranking sixth in the conference. Although the Blue Hens are winless against the Tigers this year, Delaware has led by eight or more points in both games. In the regular-season finale at Towson, Delaware jumped out to a 38-25 first-half lead before 16 team turnovers gave the Tigers the comeback victory.

This line opened at Towson -6 and has been bet down to Towson -5.5. Roughly 65% of the bets are on Towson, but 70% of the money is wagered on Delaware. We are siding with the sharps in the third battle between these two CAA rivals, backing the dangerous offense of the Blue Hens in our college basketball parlay picks.

Wright State +1 (-110)

The Wright State Raiders took a huge step forward with their 75-63 home win over Oakland on Thursday. Wright State has tallied an impressive 31-7 regular-season Horizon League record over the past two seasons, yet has been upset in the first round of the league tournament each of those years.

Head coach Scott Nagy's team is metrically strong at both ends of the floor, shooting 54% from two-point range and 76% from the free-throw line.

The Raiders have lost twice to Cleveland State this year, by 10 points and four points. Guard Tanner Holden (20.1 PPG) and forward Grant Basile (18.3 PPG, 8.6 RPG) provide a nice inside-outside combination.

The Raiders played one of their best defensive games of the year against Oakland. Wright State held the Grizzlies to just 15% (3-of-20) from deep in their quarterfinal win.

Cleveland State's offense goes through long scoring droughts, which is concerning against quality opponents such as Wright State. The Vikings posted 83 points in their opening-round win over Robert Morris, but the Colonials are not at the same talent level as the Raiders.

The Vikings are receiving almost 3/4ths of the bets, but Wright State is now getting over 40% of the money. This indicates sharp action on Wright State, usually a good sign for our bet.

I like Wright State to upset Cleveland State and advance to the finals of the Horizon League Tournament. The Vikings' poor free-throw shooting and inconsistent 3-point efficiency, will be their downfall in this matchup.

Purdue Fort Wayne +2 (-110)

Head coach Jon Coffman's explosive offense has translated well from the Summit League, and Purdue Fort Wayne enters the Horizon League semifinals on a 10-game winning streak. The Mastodons feature incredible efficiency, balancing the league's top defensive efficiency and turnover rate with a scalding-hot 38.1% 3-point average against Horizon opponents.

Seniors Jarred Godfrey (15.4 PPG, 38.1% 3P) and Jalon Pipkins (13.9 PPG) lead the way, with Mount St. Mary's transfer Damian Chong Qui (10.1 PPG, 37.5% 3P) having a strong year as well. The Mastodons split against Northern Kentucky this season, earning a 71-57 home victory back on Dec. 4. They are an impressive 19-10 ATS and have covered eight of their last 10 games.

In their last game against Northern Kentucky, the Mastodons led 47-38 in the second half, and were outscored by 18 points over the last 10 minutes.

Having just joined the Horizon last season, there is a lack of belief in Purdue Fort Wayne, especially against one of the league's perennial powers in Northern Kentucky.

This game is almost a perfect 50/50 split in bets and money. I'm grabbing a third underdog ATS to complete my three-game Monday college basketball parlay picks.

Combined Odds: Delaware +5.5 (-110) + Wright State +1 (-110) + IPFW +2 (-110): +582