Let’s have a Saturday. The college basketball slate is loaded from top to bottom, featuring rivalry games, ranked matchups, and several conference showdowns that could swing league races. From Chapel Hill to Lexington and out west to Provo, there is no shortage of high-leverage spots for bettors to attack.
We went 4-1 on Friday. We are now 219-209-1 on the season.
Whether you are following along or fading, be sure to track all of our picks via BetStamp throughout the season.
Duke Blue Devils at North Carolina Tar Heels
A massive rivalry game is on tap in Chapel Hill, the first of two meetings between these teams in the next month. Duke enters at 21-1 and looks every bit like one of the nation’s elite teams. North Carolina is 18-4 and has quietly won four straight games after stumbling on the West Coast earlier this season.
Duke is riding a 10-game winning streak, but this feels like a classic home-court spot for the Tar Heels. Expect a fast pace, plenty of momentum swings, and a tight finish. In the end, North Carolina does just enough in front of its home crowd.
Betting Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels +5.5 over Duke Blue Devils
Final Score Prediction: North Carolina 88, Duke 87
Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan State Spartans
Two Top-10 caliber teams collide in East Lansing. Michigan State has dropped back-to-back games and has slipped in the Big Ten standings, making this a near must-win spot if the Spartans want to regain traction. Illinois, meanwhile, has been one of the hottest teams in the country and continues to surge offensively.
This has all the makings of a classic Big Ten grinder. Illinois will have its moments, but Michigan State’s toughness and home-court edge give the Spartans a narrow advantage late.
Betting Pick: Michigan State Spartans -1.5 over Illinois Fighting Illini
Final Score Prediction: Michigan State 82, Illinois 81
Florida Gators at Texas A&M Aggies
Florida heads to College Station ranked 17th and facing a difficult road test against a Texas A&M team that sits atop the SEC standings despite not being ranked. The Gators are 16-6, while the Aggies enter at 17-5 and have been extremely consistent on both ends of the floor.
Florida has shown it can win away from home, and this feels like a spot where their experience pays off. Expect a physical SEC battle, but the Gators pull away late.
Betting Pick: Florida Gators -4.5 over Texas A&M Aggies
Final Score Prediction: Florida 82, Texas A&M 75
Tennessee Volunteers at Kentucky Wildcats
Tennessee comes in ranked 25th at 16-6 and riding a four-game winning streak. Kentucky is 16-7 and has won two straight, but the bigger number here is 12-2 at home this season. Rupp Arena should be rocking for this one.
The Volunteers will make this competitive, but Kentucky’s pace, shot-making, and home-court energy tilt the balance in a tight finish.
Betting Pick: Kentucky Wildcats -0.5 over Tennessee Volunteers
Final Score Prediction: Kentucky 81, Tennessee 79
Houston Cougars at BYU Cougars
The final game on the card features two strong Cougars teams in Provo. Houston is 20-2 and continues to set the tone defensively every night. BYU is 17-5 but has dropped three straight and will be desperate to stop the slide at home.
BYU’s urgency keeps this close, but Houston’s toughness and execution late prove to be the difference.
Betting Pick: Houston Cougars -1.5 over BYU Cougars
Final Score Prediction: Houston 78, BYU 72
Enjoy the action on the hardwood. It should be a fantastic day of college basketball. Whether you follow or fade, make sure to track all of our picks on BetStamp all season long.