College Basketball Best Bets | 3 Wednesday Picks

Before we hit a bit of a lull in the college hoops calendar due to exams, we have a juicy Wednesday night slate highlighted by a top-15 battle between Texas and Marquette.

Below, we hit on that game and more with college basketball best bets, including Three Man Weave's three picks for Wednesday, December 6.

Ky McKeon, take it away!

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.

By Ky McKeon

Iona has been one of the best mid-major programs of the past 30 or so years, and there’s no doubt new head coach Tobin Anderson will eventually continue the legacy left behind by the likes of Tim Cluess and Rick Pitino.

But right now, his Gaels are struggling.

Iona turned over its entire roster this offseason. Only one player — Osborn Shema — returned from last season, and he's yet to play this year due to injury. Inexperience coupled with no continuity in a brand new system has led to a rough start.

Hofstra, on the other hand, is thriving. Led by one of the best mid-major players in the country — Tyler Thomas — the Pride have taken out strong competition.

Head coach Speedy Claxton’s group is top-20 nationally in experience, and that age should shine through on the road tonight in New Rochelle.

Hofstra should have no trouble finding open looks on the perimeter against a Gaels team allowing a high 3-point attempt rate. Iona’s pressure won’t bother Thomas and fellow upperclassmen Jaquan Carlos in the backcourt.

On the other end, Iona’s offense just isn’t clicking at a high enough level to overcome Hofstra’s firepower.

Pick: Hofstra -2.5 (Play to -3)

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By Ky McKeon

In general, we’ve seen a trend this season in these power-conference challenges, where the home teams have tended to perform better. Whether that’s due to the happenstance of the matchups or the home-court atmospheres, home teams have been the better bets.

While following trends blindly is never a good idea, it can be useful applying them in your handicapping.

In the case of tonight, that trend lines up with a team that’s fun to back: Marquette, one of the nation’s best squads.

Marquette has been awesome this season, beating Kansas, Illinois and UCLA, while only losing a tight one to Purdue and a tough road game to Wisconsin. The Golden Eagles are among the most connected offenses in the country and have a multitude of weapons to throw at their competition.

Defensively, their pressure, length and athleticism can wreak havoc on ball handlers.

Texas is in trouble tonight. The Longhorns have zero quality wins this season, and the jury is still out on Rodney Terry’s coaching chops. While Max Abmas and Tyrese Hunter are excellent guards, they haven’t seen the pressure that Marquette can dish out.

The Golden Eagles, backed by their home crowd, should be able to speed up Texas and force turnovers.

Without Dylan Disu in the lineup, Texas’ defense has just been OK. It’s hard for any defense to stop Marquette, let alone one that can’t create turnovers, avoid fouling or own the defensive glass.

Marquette should have no issue manufacturing offense and expanding its lead out past double digits as the clock runs down to zero.

Pick: Marquette -8 (Play to -9)

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By Ky McKeon

Utah State is going to spank San Diego tonight.

The Aggies, led by former Montana State head coach Danny Sprinkle, haven’t skipped a beat this season, despite turning over their entire roster. Having dominant center Great Osobor making the journey with Sprinkle from Bozeman to Logan has certainly helped.

Osobor is a monster inside, and the closest thing San Diego has seen to him this season is Stanford’s frontline. The Cardinal shot 71.4% inside the arc against the Toreros on their way to a 24-point win.

San Diego’s light schedule (316th in the country thus far, per KenPom) has inflated its record. This team just isn’t very good, and head coach Steve Lavin would probably rather be laying on the beach than heading to Utah to play in one of the toughest home court environments in the sport.

The Aggies should own the paint tonight, dominate the glass and shut down a Torero offense that ranks 283rd nationally in Adjusted Efficiency.

Despite the big number, I have confidence in fading San Diego in its first road contest outside of the state of California.

Pick: Utah State -19 (Play to -20)

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