There are 13 ranked college basketball teams in action on Monday, including the game of the night between Yale and No. 14 Alabama.
However, the betting value lies fully in the mid-major ranks on Monday.
So, read below for college basketball best bets, including three NCAAB picks and predictions for Monday, December 29.
College Basketball Best Bets
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 8 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. | ||
Campbell vs. Hofstra
The Pride were New York City’s mid-major flag bearer in the non-conference chapter of the season.
Riding high off two power-conference road wins, Hofstra, which knocked off Syracuse and Pitt before the Christmas break, now kicks off league play at home — granted, in a less advantageous spot: as a large home favorite.
Hofstra is the more talented team tonight against Campbell, which played a murderer’s row of a non-conference schedule (hope springs eternal for all mid-majors and low-majors when conference play commences, though).
Furthermore, Hofstra tends to level off in league play. Per TeamRankings.com, Speedy Claxton is only 22-23 as a home favorite since taking over as head coach, and 39-39 against the number against conference competition.
Juxtaposed to his stellar 29-18 ATS clip as an underdog and 36-23 ATS record in all games out of league, there’s evidence that fading the Pride in this spot is the smarter situational handicap.
Campbell may be shorthanded in the frontcourt tonight, but the Camels won't have a bench disadvantage against the Pride, who lean heavily on their top horses.
As long as the Camels can hold their own on the glass, this game should be nip-and-tuck for 40 minutes.
Pick: Campbell +9.5 (Play to +8)
Southern Illinois vs. Murray State
Scott Nagy is on an emotional roller coaster this season, but Nagy’s brutal honesty sheds an informative light into his team’s mental psyche.
For context, the 0-2 Salukis mustered two competitive efforts against Illinois State and Bradley — two of the Missouri Valley powerhouse programs — but came up short in the waning minutes.
After the loss to Bradley, Nagy was surprisingly inspired by his team’s resolve, in spite of a few critical high-leverage execution errors.
Against Murray State’s blistering pace and inverted spacing, the Salukis won’t have to navigate a packed-in defense, similar to what they faced against Illinois State and Bradley.
Nagy himself has stated they're not a great zone offense, and operate best when they can attack downhill and in space (notably out in transition).
The Racers are the country’s best defense at running shooters off the 3-point line, which could backfire against the Salukis, who are best when they can get downhill off drives and cuts toward the tin.
If Nagy can scheme a reasonable game plan to contain Fred King inside, there’s numerous offensive advantages exploitable on the other end to make this one a back-and-forth affair in a quintessential "gotta have it" desperation road spot.
Pick: Southern Illinois +6.5 (Play to +6)
Cal Baptist vs. Utah Valley
Bettor beware: This is one worth waiting until the last minute, as I anticipate there's strong Utah Valley money yet to reveal itself in the betting market. The early opening line was quickly attacked by eager Cal Baptist bettors, but timing is everything (now it's at 8.5 at BetMGM).
That said, I understand the movement on Utah Valley. It’s hard to find a flaw on its resume. However, the same could be said of Cal Baptist, which battled ably on an impossible three-game altitude trip to Colorado, BYU and Utah.
It’s no fluke the Lancers are 10-0 outside of that stretch, including a win over UC Irvine, another team that makes its pay in the paint.
The key for Cal Baptist will be managing its minutes at the five position, as Rick Croy deploys an effective four-out, one-in lineup. That interior hub post man — be it Thomas Ndong, Bradey Henige or Jonathan Griman — is the X-factor at keeping the Wolverines off the glass.
The concern could be on offense, where Cal Baptist will lean heavily on the speed, playmaking and shotmaking of Dominique Daniels Jr. But he’s capable of bending the Utah Valley first line of defense to create enough open looks for his Lancers to battle on the road.
Pick: Cal Baptist +8.5 (Play to +7)
