The end of 2025 is fast approaching, but the second half of the college basketball season is in full swing tonight.
Our experts have pinpointed three standout spots to lock into your betting card.
Read on for our college basketball best bets, including NCAAB picks and predictions for Tuesday, December 30.
College Basketball Best Bets
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 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. | ||
Milwaukee vs. Wisconsin
By Evan Abrams
This betting system targets disciplined first-half underdogs in college basketball — teams with elite ball control, low turnovers and a steady, methodical tempo — that can neutralize early pressure and keep games close against stronger favorites, particularly those coming off extended rest and prone to sluggish starts.
In tonight's matchup, Milwaukee (7-6, on a three-game win streak) perfectly fits as the underdog against Wisconsin (8-4), with the large spread reflecting market overpricing.
The Panthers excel in turnover protection and controlled pace, ranking highly in minimizing giveaways while maintaining rhythm.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin enters with over a week off since its December 22 win over Central Michigan, which fits the system's core beliefs that rested favorites often lack initial sharpness. That will be even more evident based on both teams' slower tempos, potentially leading to inefficient early offense.
Milwaukee's sharper recent play (including a dominant win over Purdue Fort Wayne) contrasts Wisconsin's layoff. That creates a prime setup for the Panthers to stay within the first-half spread.
Pick: Milwaukee 1H +12.5
Louisville vs. Cal
Do we have a potential upset alert here in the ACC opener?
Cal feels fairly real to me. I'm not sure if it's an NCAA Tournament team, but it looks like a top-half ACC caliber group. Getting 6.5 points feels like good value here at home.
That said, I'm leaning the other way. I mentioned earlier that Louisville has struggled shooting the ball and generating clean looks from deep against teams like Tennessee, Arkansas, and Cincinnati.
While Cal has been solid defensively, I don't put it in that same tier in terms of perimeter athleticism and physicality.
When Louisville is able to push the tempo, generate paint touches, and play off of that, its offense becomes extremely difficult to stop. While Cal can certainly keep pace if it knocks down double-digit 3s, I side with Pat Kelsey’s group here.
I expect Louisville to be fully ready, as it's getting its offensive engine — Mikel Brown Jr. — back from injury in a key spot to finally secure a road win after getting beat up against those SEC foes.
I'll lay it with the Cardinals, as this is a talent mismatch.
Pick: Louisville -7.5
Pacific vs. Loyola Marymount
Odds opened at Loyola Marymount, favored by 4.5 points, with a total of 138.5 points.
The glaring mismatch for Tuesday hoops was PRO Projections submitting a total significantly lower than the market. PRO's over/under initially released the Pacific vs. Loyola Marymount at 130.5. This substantial gap, even before adjustments, signals an excellent A+ rated confidence in the game to land under, in what's the top-sorted totals edge heading into Tuesday.
For what it's worth, Action PRO made the fair spread Loyola Marymount -5. Translating PRO lines produces a rough prediction of Lions 68, Tigers 63.
Both WCC programs have skewed heavily to the under this season: Pacific's landed under the closing total in eight of 12, Loyola Marymount 8 of 13.
Data-driven models barely have these teams clearing 130 points on Tuesday night.
Pick: Under 137.5
