Get ready for a thrilling night of college basketball as the season heats up towards March Madness. With a packed schedule of games, it’s time to take a closer look at the odds and make informed bets for Friday, Feb. 3. From the highly anticipated Cornell-Princeton showdown to other exciting matchups, this article will guide you to the best college basketball betting picks of the day.
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College Basketball Betting Picks & Odds | Feb. 3
College Basketball Odds: Princeton (-2.5) vs. Cornell
After OddsShopper’s Insider Access Discord identified Princeton as a value at -2.5, the number promptly jumped to -3 at some books. However, BetMGM trails behind with a -2.5 at -115 vig, which can be exploited now.
These are two evenly matched teams; Princeton ranks 112th per Kenpom and Cornell 102nd. However, Cornell’s point guard Nazir Williams missed the Big Red’s most recent game and looks doubtful here. Williams is second on the team in scoring with 12.9 points per game, and he facilitates much of the offense. His potential absence looms large in one of the conference’s better matchups this year.
Princeton is the more balanced team, ranking 59th on offense and 102nd on defense. Cornell is seventh on offense and 234th on defense, but Williams affects both of those numbers. In particular, Princeton has a massive advantage inside. The Tigers rank 17th in 2-point percentage, while Cornell is 353rd in interior defense. Likewise, Princeton comes in 40th in rebounding, and Cornell ranks 227th. With Cornell potentially shorthanded, backing Princeton makes sense here.
College Basketball Expert Betting Pick: Princeton -2.5 (-115) at BetMGM
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College Basketball Odds: Boise State vs. San Diego State O/U 134.5
Boise State lost Marcus Shaver and Naje Smith in its most recent game. Shaver averaged 13.2 points per game in 32.6 minutes, while Smith averaged 9.7 points per game in 27.0 minutes. Boise State ranks 350th in bench minutes, making these two enormous losses for the Broncos.
From there, both teams play slow and defensively sound basketball. The NCAA average for possessions per game hovers around 70.0; Boise State averages 68.9 possessions per game, and San Diego State averages 69.9. Likewise, Boise State ranks eighth in defensive efficiency, while San Diego State checks in 76th. Boise State has held eight of its last nine opponents to 68 points of less. The lone game above that mark went to overtime. Now likely to play even slower due to injury, the under is the play.
College Basketball Expert Betting Pick: Boise State vs. San Diego State Under 134.5 (-110) at BetMGM
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College Basketball Odds: Brown (-1.5) vs. Dartmouth
Injuries will greatly affect this game and the spread leading up to tip. Dartmouth has been without Cade Haskin, Jackson Munro, Connor Christensen and Romeo Myrthil for various lengths this season. Likewise, Brown will play without Kalu Anya and Malachi Ndur, but Dan Friday projects to make his return. With that, Brown appears to be the healthier team for this matchup.
From there, Brown has slight advantages across the board. It is 269th in offensive efficiency, while Dartmouth ranks 317th. Brown is 81st on defense, and Dartmouth is 185th. Brown even ranks 134th in rebounding to Dartmouth’s 185th. With slight advantages and health on its side, Brown is the team to back.
College Basketball Expert Betting Pick: Brown -1.5 (-115) at BetMGM
