Four ranked teams are playing "buy games" on Thursday in college basketball, but that doesn't mean there isn't betting value to be had in the sport.
In fact, there are plenty of spots to target for your betting card.
So, here's college basketball best bets and predictions, including three NCAAB expert picks for Thursday, November 6.
College Basketball Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our college basketball betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 10:30 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. | ||
Jackson State vs. Louisville
By Joshua Nunn
My best bet in this game is the over, which sits at 162.5.
Louisville is going to run with tempo almost exclusively for 40 minutes, and I expect Jackson State to be gassed on the defensive end quickly in this one.
Jackson State doesn't have the defensive aptitude to put the clamps on this style, and the Tigers struggle to defend without fouling. Illinois also had zero trouble breaking down their defense and penetrating the lane.
Louisville forced 25 turnovers in the opener and the Cardinals always seek to run. I don't believe Jackson State will handle the pressure very well, so I would expect the turnovers to pile up.
Louisville should get whatever it wants in transition, and I would guess it has no trouble scoring on the move or early in the possession.
Jackson State isn't going to be able to defend without fouling, and I would expect Louisville to shoot 30 or more foul shots in this one. I also expect Jackson State to run with the Cardinals, and it should get to the line a fair amount in this one.
We should see 80 possessions or more, and Louisville’s press is going to cause issues for Jackson State. We saw Pat Kelsey keep his foot on the gas with his group in its season-opening blowout win, and even if the throttle is dialed back here, I think Louisville is quite capable of eclipsing 100 points for the second straight game.
Jackson State is going to launch half of its shots from deep, along with attacking the rim.
This should be an exciting, high-flying affair.
Pick: Over 162.5 (Play to 165.5)
See Duck's full write-up here:
Robert Morris vs. Drake
By Evan Abrams
Robert Morris just played Iowa at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Tuesday (losing 101-69) and now it has to face Drake on the road two days later.
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are coming off a six-point win in their opening game against Northern Arizona, the first game they've played without Darian DeVries on the sideline.
That sets this up as a perfect spot for Evan Abrams' "Bet Teams Off Bad Loss, Short Rest" system.
In college basketball, teams coming off a poor loss with limited rest (Robert Morris, in this case) often bounce back stronger against the spread due to urgency, focus and quick turnaround adjustments.
A short window between games minimizes overthinking and keeps teams engaged, especially when facing an opponent that didn't struggle in its previous outing (Drake).
Market perception tends to overvalue the recent bad loss and undervalue the quick recovery potential, creating an inefficiency in pricing.
Teams in this position frequently show sharper defensive effort and improved shooting consistency as they attempt to correct course immediately, making them a profitable play despite fatigue concerns.
Also, Robert Morris doesn't have to travel far, considering it just played in Iowa City and now hits the road for Des Moines.
Most importantly, this system has been profitable long-term, as it's +$3,292 with a 2.4% return on investment (ROI) since its inception in 2005.
Pick: Robert Morris +8.5
Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Portland
Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Portland is a classic sharps-versus-squares matchup to close out the night.
Portland is the public side, drawing 63% of tickets. However, Arkansas-Pine Bluff is bringing in the respected action, accounting for 88% of the total dollars wagered.
Sharp Action and Big Money tools are lighting up on the underdog, and Bet Labs confirms smart movement backing Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
Pick: Arkansas-Pine Bluff +13.5
Get more PRO picks via the full article:
