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We're gearing up for one of the biggest days of the college basketball non-conference slate on Tuesday, as the Champions Classic takes place in Chicago with four blue bloods.
But first, our staff has three spots to target on Monday in college hoops.
Read below for college basketball best bets, including three NCAAB picks for Monday, November 9.
Be sure to download the Action Network app for more expert picks and analysis!
3 College Basketball Best Bets
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 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. | ||
Wagner vs. UConn
There's no reason to want to sweat out UConn covering a big number when the Huskies have far more important tasks looming later in the week.
However, we know Dan Hurley's boys will bring two things: a slow-paced ballgame and a suffocating, intense defense.
Early on, Bart Torvik has this team ranked fifth in adjusted defensive efficiency.
Through five games this season, including two preseason exhibition games, the Huskies are allowing just 59.6 points per game.
They've held Syracuse, Purdue and Gardner-Webb under 53 points. The only two teams to score more were Michigan State and Michigan.
Now, the Huskies are playing bottom-20 Wagner.
The Seahawks shouldn't be able to breathe on Monday.
Pick: Wagner Team Total Under 50.5
Eastern Illinois vs. Notre Dame
By Evan Abrams
Notre Dame is miles better than Eastern Illinois, and the spread obviously indicates the talent gap. Eastern Illinois lost to Indiana and Iowa (two quality opponents), but those games were never close, and the Panthers scored just 47 vs. the Hawkeyes.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame is 2-0 with a win over Villanova (in Rome) already on its resume.
This game should be a mauling, but my system — "Tough Season, 2-2-2 System" — actually says we should back to Panthers to cover the 28.5-point spread.
This system owns a 4% return on investment (ROI) all-time, including a 54% hit rate. (There's more on how the system comes to its conclusions below.)
This system titled "Tough Season 2 2 2 System" is built on the idea that the market can become overly punitive toward road teams enduring miserable seasons, especially when the data shows sustained underperformance both straight up and against the number.
By isolating visiting teams in either the regular season or postseason with deeply negative season cover margins, negative average scoring margins, extended losing streaks and a recent loss, the angle assumes bookmakers inflate spreads to account for public disdain.
When those teams are catching significant points, perception of incompetence often outweighs matchup specifics. Yet even struggling college programs still feature scholarship athletes, structured defensive schemes, and pride that can surface in single game settings.
Large spreads create room for variance late, particularly when favorites ease off with a lead or rotate benches.
The result is a scenario where a team having a brutal year can still land inside an exaggerated number because expectations have already been priced to the extreme, turning season long failure into short term spread value.
Pick: Eastern Illinois +28.5
Oakland vs. Alabama
By Sean Paul
This isn’t surprising for an SEC vs Horizon matchup, but Alabama towers over Oakland.
With the Crimson Tide’s length, they should be able to slow Chris Fields Jr. down. If Fields can’t score, it’ll force Oakland to be more perimeter-oriented, and that’s an issue for the Golden Grizzlies.
I always hesitate to lay more than 30. It’s alot to cover in a 40-minute game. But beyond the difficulty of winning by 30+ points, I can’t find a reason to back Oakland.
It’s three games in four days with cross-country travel from the West to the South. And all the personnel matchups favor Alabama.
The Tide should destroy the Greg Kampe zone and Oakland’s shooting and guard play is underwhelming.
Lay the points.
Pick: Alabama -32.5 (Play to -34.5)
