Happy Friday, hoops fans. It’s a smaller slate, but there are still some strong spots to attack.
We went 2-3 on Thursday.
Season record: 250-238-1.
Follow all these picks and more at BetStamp
Best Bets for Friday, February 20, 2026
Let’s get into it.
Akron Zips at Ball State Cardinals
The Akron Zips remain a serious contender in the MAC. While Miami (OH) has grabbed the national attention, Akron is quietly sitting at 21-5 and playing mature, disciplined basketball.
Ball State is 8-18 and has struggled to keep pace with the top tier of the conference. This sets up as a mismatch. Akron has the experience and balance to control tempo and avoid any road letdown. Expect the Zips to separate early and never look back.
Betting Pick: Akron Zips -13.5 over Ball State Cardinals
Final Score Prediction: Akron 92, Ball State 68
Green Bay Phoenix at Oakland Golden Grizzlies
Green Bay enters at 15-13, while Oakland is 14-13. On paper, this looks like a tight Horizon League matchup.
The Phoenix will be without head coach Doug Gottlieb after his suspension earlier this week, but that could galvanize this group. Green Bay has shown the ability to compete on the road, and Oakland hasn’t been consistent enough to justify this spread.
Expect a competitive game throughout, with the Phoenix hanging around and potentially stealing it late.
Betting Pick: Green Bay Phoenix +8 over Oakland Golden Grizzlies
Final Score Prediction: Green Bay 72, Oakland 71
VCU Rams at Saint Louis Billikens
This is the game of the night in the Atlantic 10.
If Saint Louis wins, the Billikens put themselves in prime position in the conference race. If VCU wins, the Rams could take control thanks to their recent surge. Saint Louis won the first meeting in Richmond, but VCU has been red hot and won’t be rattled on the road.
The Billikens are coming off a loss, and while they may defend their home floor, this feels like a one-possession game either way. The number is simply too big in a matchup with this much at stake.
Betting Pick: VCU Rams +8.5 over Saint Louis Billikens
Final Score Prediction: Saint Louis 81, VCU 80
Indiana Hoosiers at Purdue Boilermakers
An in-state rivalry with plenty on the line.
Indiana sits at 17-9 and still needs quality resume wins to feel comfortable on Selection Sunday. Purdue is 21-5, but after entering the season as a Big Ten favorite, there’s been some frustration in West Lafayette.
Neither team is likely winning the conference, but both are jockeying for NCAA Tournament positioning. Rivalry games tend to tighten up, and double digits feels generous in this spot.
Betting Pick: Indiana Hoosiers +10.5 over Purdue Boilermakers
Final Score Prediction: Purdue 79, Indiana 72
Bowling Green Falcons at Miami (OH) RedHawks
The nightcap features Bowling Green (16-11) traveling to face the unbeaten Miami (OH) RedHawks at 26-0.
Miami continues to handle business and has shown no signs of letting up. Bowling Green can compete in stretches, but sustaining that for 40 minutes against an undefeated team on its home floor is a different challenge.
Expect it to be competitive early before the RedHawks create separation in the second half.
Betting Pick: Miami (OH) RedHawks -7.5 over Bowling Green Falcons
Final Score Prediction: Miami 82, Bowling Green 70
Best of luck tonight. Whether you fade or follow, track every pick all season long on BetStamp.