As March Madness draws near, the college basketball betting scene is heating up. In this article, we will delve into the top games taking place on Tuesday and provide expert insights and analysis to help you make informed and strategic betting decisions using OddsShopper’s tools.
College Basketball Betting Picks & Odds | March 7
College Basketball Odds: Utah Tech vs. Stephen F. Austin (-3.5)
The first round of the Western Athletic Conference kicks off with a potential banger between No. 6 seed Stephen F. Austin and No. 11 seed Utah Tech. Stephen F. Austin won 85-72 on Utah Tech’s home court in these teams’ first matchup. Not only does Stephen F. Austin have value against the spread, the over also looks like a sharp play at 147.5, with two uptempo teams.
Further pointing to the over, both of these teams are elite 3-point shooters. Utah Tech ranks 20th in 3-point percentage, and Stephen F. Austin is 12th. However, Utah Tech has a glaring defensive weakness. It ranks 262nd in overall defensive efficiency, and Stephen F. Austin is 117th. While Stephen F. Austin defends the 3 somewhat well, Utah Tech is 342nd. Both teams can score, but Stephen F. Austin has a clear defensive edge here.
College Basketball Expert Betting Pick: Stephen F. Austin -3.5 (-110) at BetMGM
College Basketball Odds: Louisville (+6.5) vs. Boston College
In the opening round of the ACC Tournament, Louisville will take on Boston College as a 6.5-point underdog. Boston College defeated Louisville 75-65 in the previous matchup. However, the now injured Quinten Post played in that game and scored 22 points. He looks unlikely to play here, making Louisville an interesting value.
Louisville has improved drastically since the start of conference play. The Cardinals are 284th in the overall KenPom power rankings, but they have jumped to 220th since Feb. 1. For reference, Boston College is 173rd in the same rankings. Louisville also has a massive height advantage. Post not only graded out as Boston College’s most valuable player, but he also stands 7-foot-0. The Eagles’ next tallest player, T.J. Bickerstaff, has been in and out of the rotation and is only 6-foot-9. With a deep front court and El Ellis running the backcourt, Louisville looks like the sharp side.
College Basketball Expert Betting Pick: Louisville +6.5 (-115) at BetMGM
The legal gambling age is 21+ in most states. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.
College Basketball Odds: Massachusetts vs. Richmond (-2.5)
This is a greasy matchup in the first round of the Atlantic 10, and the winner of this matchup will draw George Mason tomorrow. UMass defeated Richmond 85-76 on its home court in the first matchup. However, ShotQuality graded the outcome as a 78-77 win based on the actual shots taken on the floor. Now a slight favorite, Richmond should find a way to advance at least one round here.
Richmond is the far more balanced team, ranking 164th on offense and 176th on defense. UMass plays solid defense but is 262nd in offensive efficiency. Even within its strong defensive numbers, UMass still is 189th in interior defense and Richmond is 82nd in interior offense. Even the potential rebounding advantage can be rationalized away. Richmond only ranks 253rd in overall rebounding. However, its scheme prioritizes getting back on defense instead of attacking the offensive glass. This explains the disparity between its 333rd-ranked offensive rebounding and 61st-ranked defensive rebounding.
College Basketball Expert Betting Pick: Richmond -2.5 (-110) at BetMGM
The legal gambling age is 21+ in most states. Gambling Problem? Call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.
