A new week is here, and the calendar is starting to matter. Selection Sunday is just 27 days away. The margin for error is shrinking across the country, whether teams are chasing conference titles or simply trying to build momentum into March.
Sunday was a grind as we finished 2-3. On the season, we now sit at 242-226-1. Let’s try to build that back up on a Monday card that mixes high-major spotlight games with a few under-the-radar matchups that still offer value.
Best Bets for Monday, February 16
Be sure to follow all our picks at BetStamp all season long.
Coppin State Eagles at South Carolina State Bulldogs
This one will not grab national headlines, but there is value on the board.
The combined record between these two programs is just 11-38. Neither team is heading toward the NCAA Tournament, but that does not mean the spread cannot be attacked. South Carolina State has quietly shown improvement, picking up five wins in its last 10 games and climbing slightly within the conference race.
Coppin State continues to struggle on both ends of the floor, and asking them to win on the road is a tall task. Expect the Bulldogs to control the tempo and create enough separation late to cover.
Betting Pick: South Carolina State Bulldogs -4.5 over Coppin State Eagles
Final Score Prediction: South Carolina State 77, Coppin State 70
Syracuse Orange at Duke Blue Devils
The headline here is the number. A spread north of 20 points always forces bettors to think twice.
Syracuse Orange is not walking into Cameron Indoor with realistic upset hopes against Duke Blue Devils. Duke is simply on another level at home.
The question is whether the Orange can hang around enough to stay inside the number. If Syracuse can knock down perimeter shots and avoid long scoring droughts, this could settle into a comfortable Duke win without turning into a 30-point runaway.
We expect Duke to win convincingly, but not necessarily at peak intensity for 40 minutes.
Betting Pick: Syracuse Orange +20.5 over Duke Blue Devils
Final Score Prediction: Duke 88, Syracuse 69
Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils at Alabama State Hornets
Another low-profile matchup, but the gap between these teams is real.
Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils has just one win all season and has struggled to compete on a nightly basis. On the other side, Alabama State Hornets owns eight of the nine combined wins between these programs.
The Hornets are the far more functional team on both ends of the floor. At home, this should be comfortable. Expect Mississippi Valley State to have difficulty scoring efficiently and keeping this within reach.
Betting Pick: Alabama State Hornets -15.5 over Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils
Final Score Prediction: Alabama State 81, Mississippi Valley State 60
Abilene Christian Wildcats at Tarleton State Texans
Tarleton State Texans has been a frustrating team to back this season. Expectations were higher, yet they enter this matchup at 12-13. Coincidentally, Abilene Christian Wildcats sits at the same mark.
This feels like a spot where the home floor makes the difference. The number is small for a reason, but Tarleton State should be able to generate just enough offense late to separate. In a tightly lined WAC battle, we lean toward the Texans protecting their court.
Betting Pick: Tarleton State Texans -1.5 over Abilene Christian Wildcats
Final Score Prediction: Tarleton State 78, Abilene Christian 72
Houston Cougars at Iowa State Cyclones
This is the game of the night.
Iowa State Cyclones just handled Kansas at home after the Jayhawks knocked off Arizona earlier in the week. The Big 12 race continues to twist and turn.
Houston Cougars remains firmly in the regular-season title mix, and this is the type of road test that shapes the conference standings. Many believe Iowa State simply does not lose at home.
We are going the other way.
Houston’s defensive pressure and late-game execution give them a real chance to steal this one outright. Expect a grind, a physical battle, and a possession-by-possession finish.
Betting Pick: Houston Cougars +2.5 over Iowa State Cyclones
Final Score Prediction: Houston 69, Iowa State 67
Enjoy the games. Whether you fade or follow, track every pick with us on BetStamp as we push toward March.