Feast Week is in the rearview mirror, but this week doesn't get any lighter in the college basketball world.
In fact, we have a massive Tuesday slate for you, as UConn takes on Kansas, Purdue travels to Rutgers and more. But most importantly, the ACC/SEC Challenge gets started, and we have many intriguing games on the docket.
So, here's our staff's ACC/SEC Challenge predictions, including odds and picks for seven games on Tuesday, December 2.
ACC/SEC Challenge Predictions
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Tennessee vs. Syracuse
Tennessee has won every game by margin, and every game they were favored in by at least 25 points.
I think Syracuse is benefiting from decent showings against Houston and Kansas, so instead, I'll ride with Tennessee, which should be favored by around 10.
Thus, we can inherent a lot of value backing Rick Barnes and the Volunteers at the current line.
Pick: Tennessee -6.5 (Play to -10)
Oklahoma vs. Wake Forest
By Sean Paul
I’m rolling with the Sooners here.
Although their defense is worrisome, I think Wake Forest is overvalued.
The Sooners will force the Demon Deacons to play a half-court game — since they never turn the ball over — and a slower-paced contest favors them.
Pick: Oklahoma +5 (Play to +3)
Texas A&M vs. Pitt
The spread is a bit troublesome, as I think it should be higher than it is. I understand road games in college basketball are always a bit of a trap, but I think this is a mismatch.
So, I'm not sure I can back the Aggies because I don’t want to fall into that trap.
I will, however, look at the total. It currently sits at 149.5 (at the time of writing), and I think that the overall pace of this game will be dictated by A&M.
If that’s the case, A&M will force Pittsburgh to try to maintain that pace, which could lead to turnovers, easy baskets and open perimeter shots in transition.
I’ll take over in this game up to 152.
Pick: Over 148.5 (Play to 152)
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Florida vs. Duke
By Jim Root
What an on-campus showdown early in December! Credit to both Jon Scheyer and Todd Golden for playing this game. Both teams should get a great litmus test from this one.
The Gators get to see how their new backcourt looks in a hostile road environment, while the younger Blue Devils face an imposing foe with a giant frontcourt and championship mettle.
How Florida defends Cameron Boozer is the primary storyline here. Thomas Haugh is probably the best matchup for the freshman phenom considering his combination of size and mobility. But with Haugh playing the 3, the Gators could opt for a bigger option in Alex Condon or Rueben Chinyelu.
Chinyelu is likely doomed to foul trouble in that scenario, but he is massive and athletic, potentially giving Boozer troubles.
Off the bench, Micah Handlogten is another option in the same vein. Golden probably throws multiple looks at Boozer, as Duke’s freshman star is simply too smart to see the same defender over and over.
This line is reflective of Florida’s shaky start out of the gate. The Gators have fallen outside the top 15 per KenPom, while Duke’s buy game demolitions and late surges have pushed it up to the analytically elite tier.
Florida playing its first true road game is certainly worrisome, especially with the way the backcourt has fared against power-conference opponents thus far. I still believe that Xaivian Lee and Boogie Fland have some positive shooting regression coming, though, and the frontcourt battle could be a stalemate.
At the risk of losing to another Duke closing run, I think this line is too high. The Gators can limit Boozer with size, strength, length and depth. As long as the Gators’ guards hit a few jumpers, this one should go down to the wire – even at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Pick: Florida +8.5 (Play to +7)
Miami vs. Ole Miss
By Sean Paul
I'm going with Ole Miss laying the points.
For one, Miami has destroyed weak opponents and handled an undermanned Georgetown squad. What else have the Hurricanes shown to belong in the top 50 in KenPom?
I'm not buying the Canes, and teams that have the size to contain Malik Reneau can expose Miami's porous half-court offense.
Pick: Ole Miss -4.5 (Play to -5)
Missouri vs. Notre Dame
By Sean Paul
I'm eyeing the under in this ACC/SEC Challenge matchup.
Notre Dame has to play low-scoring games due to its lack of offensive firepower (outside of Markus Burton) and pace.
Missouri has put up big scoring numbers, but most of them came against inferior opponents.
Facing a strong defense and a well-coached squad with size and athleticism to match, Missouri will make for a tougher test.
Pick: Under 151.5 (Play to 147)
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North Carolina vs. Kentucky
This feels like an absolute must-have spot for Kentucky after two losses to top programs (Louisville and Michigan State).
UNC’s bigs definitely have an advantage on the interior, as being down Mo Dioubate puts a lot of pressure on Malachi Moreno and Brandon Garrison to guard some really talented big bodies in Caleb Wilson and Henri Veesaar.
Louisville’s Sananda Fru and Michigan State’s Jaxon Kohler had their way on the interior in those battles against Kentucky.
However, I honestly think those two could combine for 40+ and Kentucky could still win this game by double digits.
I think Otega Oweh and the rest of Kentucky’s guards will be able to get into the paint, make plays and create open looks from deep in this big spot against this UNC defense.
If the Kentucky offense is humming and playing with pace — as I expect it to be — then Luka Bogavac/Kyan Evans and UNC’s supporting cast is going to have to step up big time to keep up in the scoring column.
In front of a raucous environment at Rupp Arena and against a UNC team badly missing a key player in Seth Trimble on both ends of the floor, I like Kentucky’s chances to execute at a high level offensively and hang around defensively to get the win and cover the number.
Other angles I’d consider are Kentucky’s team total over and Caleb Wilson's points + rebounds prop.
Pick: Kentucky -5.5 (Play to -9)
