We have a fantastic slate of college basketball games in front of us on Super Tuesday — a slate I’m looking to back underdogs on. In these key matchups, I think it’s worth going with the points against some slightly overrated competition and sprinkling in all the moneylines. Let’s get into the CBB odds I’m targeting and some of the best college basketball betting picks for Dec. 8.
Using the help of OddsShopper to locate the best plays and prices, let’s analyze some college hoops plays.
Ben Rasa's Bet of the Day Awesemo's sports betting expert Ben Rasa pours over the day's betting lines and breaks down the best bet of the day for you to build your sports betting card around.College Basketball Betting: CBB Odds, Picks & Predictions | 12/8
Creighton vs. Kansas: Creighton +4.5 (-110)/+165 Moneyline
You’ll hear me say this a bunch for this betting card, but the wrong team is favored here. Kansas has gotten off to a very sluggish start to the season, struggling to beat a lot of lesser competition. Last Tuesday’s big win over Kentucky turned out not to even be a big deal with Kentucky now having lost three games, including a blowout loss to Georgia Tech on Sunday. Entering that game, Georgia Tech was 0-2 with losses to Georgia State and Mercer. Just a night earlier, Kansas went down to the wire with North Dakota State, scrapping up a 4-point victory in the final seconds as a 20-something-point favorite that trailed much of the game.
On top of the Jayhawks likely being massively overrated, Creighton is actually good. The Blue Jays have a veteran starting five with good guard play, size and shooting. I think we can go about 70% spread to 30% moneyline here. Creighton should get this one outright.
North Carolina vs. Iowa: North Carolina +3.5 (-110)/+150 Moneyline
The right team is probably favored here. Iowa has blown out the teams put in front of it, and Luka Garza is a stud, shifting to a massive favorite to win National Player of the Year. But behind Garza, there isn’t all that much talent, and North Carolina has put together a pretty solid squad. The Tar Heels have already had stiff tests this season, beating a very good Stanford team and narrowly losing to Texas. I think the Tar Heels will prove to be the more prepared team. There’s still some veteran leadership here in the backcourt, as well as some depth up front to limit Garza as much as possible. This is a very talented group of freshman at Carolina, and they should factor into this one.
I’m leaning more on the points here, but I still think a sprinkle on the moneyline is worth it.
Illinois vs. Duke: Illinois +4.5 (-120)/+160 Moneyline
Again, the wrong team is favored here. I get we’re playing in Cameron Indoor, but Duke lost here last week to a (slightly) worse team from the same conference. Michigan State started flat, but after going down 13-3, the Spartans dominated the remainder of the game. The 75-69 victory wasn’t indicative of the way the second half went. Michigan State was in control the entire time. Enter an Illinois team that’s even more talented, running deep with vets and boasting one of the best one-two punches in college basketball — Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn. Expect those two and the well-tested role players to be in control against the young Blue Devils. Jalen Johnson and crew are talented, but Illinois should prove too much. This team hung with Baylor for 32 minutes before the Bears kicked it up a notch. The Illini will be ready for this one.
Much like Creighton, I think you can go pretty heavy on the moneyline here. But I also can’t pass on the points just to be safe.
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