The best time of the year in college basketball is approaching…MARCH MADNESS. There are some games on Wednesday with a tournament feel. Here are my best college basketball bets for March 23!
7 Duke -6.5 vs Virginia
I do not want to underestimate Virginia heading into their matchup with Duke. Duke enters Virginia as the seventh-ranked team in the land, but they could have some trouble in this contest. The spread is a fair -6.5, but I would not be surprised if the Cavaliers made things tight on their home floor.
In their past ten games, Duke is 9-1 SU, but they are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 contests against Virginia. The Blue Devils lost by one-point last time they faced Virginia, and this was in North Carolina.
In their last six games, Virginia is 5-1 ATS, so this team can compete. Look for Jayden Gardner to play a huge role down in the paint, especially when it comes to offensive boards.
PICK: Virginia +6.5
Xavier vs #11 Providence -1.5
This could be a trap game based on the bookies. They want you to hammer Providence -1.5 at home, and I will take the bait. The Friars have only lost three times this season, and the spread makes this basically a pick’em game.
The Musketeers are just 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games and have only won once in their past five attempts. Providence is struggling ATS at home, but they are finding ways to win. The team is 9-1 SU over their last ten.
If Providence shuts down Jack Nunge, they cover this trap line from bookmakers.
PICK: Providence -1.5
TCU vs #20 Texas -8
The line in this game opened at eight, but I imagine it’s going to climb closer to the start. The Longhorns are a better team than TCU, and they win at home, but they do not cover. I think eight points is too large for me to believe in Texas.
The Longhorns are 16-2 in their past 18 games at home, but they are just 9-8 on the season ATS in Austin. TCU is 6-1 ATS on the road. Mike Miles is the man for TCU. He is just a sophomore, but he has proven himself in big spots.
PICK: TCU +8
Wake Forest -1 vs Clemson
There is a ton of value with Wake Forest as road favorites. The Demon Deacons are much better than the Tigers in every phase of the game. The team is 8-3 ATS in their last 11, but they have struggled against Clemson on the road.
This is why the spread is so tight. The Tigers have struggled immensely in their past six. They have not won and looked horrendous throughout the contests. This is a get-right spot, but I do not think it happens.
Alondes Williams has been one of the best guards in the country over his past few games. I think this continues on Wednesday.
PICK: Wake Forest -1
LSU vs #6 Kentucky
Kentucky should win this game with authority on Wednesday night. The spread is large, but I still like the Wildcats. LSU is 2-7 ATS in their last nine games and are 3-5 ATS on the road this season.
Kentucky is 9-7 ATS at home and has only lost once as a favorite this season. Kentucky had been covering large spreads all season, and I think they continue it against the Tigers.
PICK: Kentucky -8
