Monday College Basketball Odds & Picks: How to Bet Maryland vs. Rutgers, Nevada vs. San Diego, More (December 14)
Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images.
- What's the best way to get through Monday? Remembering there's college basketball all night.
- Our college basketball staff broke down four games every hour on the hour starting at 6 p.m. ET and running through 9 p.m. ET, sharing a betting pick complete with analysis for each.
- Check out each of our staff's favorite bets below.
There are only a few things that can make each Monday easier to get through. This week, it's college basketball.
To go along with the typical Monday Night Football game, there's a packed slate of college hoops throughout the night.
Our college basketball staff took advantage of that by identifying four games with betting value, starting with Rutgers vs. Maryland at 6 p.m. ET and ending with San Diego vs. Nevada at 9 p.m. ET.
Be sure to check out each pick with complete analysis below. And when you're done, hold tight. Because we'll be back with more tomorrow.
How to Bet Monday's College Basketball Slate
Here's a rundown of our favorite betting spots on Monday's slate of games:
All listed odds have been updated as of Monday morning and via DraftKings. Specific bet recommendations at the end of each matchup breakdown 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.
CLICK THE DROPDOWN ARROW TO EASILY NAVIGATE TO ANY GAME
No. 19 Rutgers (+2.5) vs. Maryland
 | |
| Rutgers Odds | +2.5 [BET NOW] |
| Maryland Odds | -2.5 [BET NOW] |
| Moneyline | +125 / -150 [BET NOW] |
| Over/Under | 138.5 [BET NOW] |
| Time | 6 p.m. ET |
| TV | Big Ten Network |
Rutgers at Maryland is shaping up to be the closest matchup we’ll see Monday night.
Rutgers ranks 55th in offensive efficiency and Maryland is 57th in defensive efficiency, while Maryland sits 18th in offensive efficiency and Rutgers is 13th in defensive efficiency, per KenPom. Both teams are shooting 52.9% from the field, and both teams have four wins coming into tonight’s game.
However, when two teams as closely matched as Rutgers and Maryland play, I always side with the better defense.
Rutgers has the edge defensively in this matchup. Its opponents are shooting just 42.9% from 2-point range and 30% from 3. Plus, the Scarlet Knights are adding 5.5 blocks and nine steals per game, both stats that rank top-40 in the country.
The Scarlet Knights also rebound better than Maryland. Rutgers averages 44.8 total rebounds per game, ranked 15th in the country. Maryland, meanwhile, grabs just 32.3.
Rutgers’ overall offensive efficiency isn’t great, but that’s due to not shooting the 3 well. Instead, Rutgers has been sharing the ball well and shooting at a high percentage inside. It averages 19.3 assists per game — 20th in the country — and makes more than 60% of its attempts inside the arc.
Maryland is 8-1 straight up in its last nine games against Rutgers. However, the Terrapins lost their best player from last season in Anthony Cowan, while Rutgers star Ron Harper has been playing great. Harper is averaging 22.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while shooting 70.6% from 2-point range and 45.8% from 3.
Finally, the last time Maryland played a great defensive team, which was Wednesday against Clemson, its offense managed only 51 points in a 16-point loss.
Therefore, I’m banking on the better defensive team to win today, and early Action Network data makes me more confident. As of this morning, Rutgers has received just 43% of the bets but 94% of the money.
I’d play Rutgers at +2 or better.
CLICK THE DROPDOWN ARROW TO EASILY NAVIGATE TO ANY GAME
William & Mary (Team Total Over 71) vs. George Washington
 | |
| William & Mary Odds | +5.5 [BET NOW] |
| George Washington Odds | -5.5 [BET NOW] |
| Moneyline | +195 / -245 [BET NOW] |
| Over/Under | 147.5 [BET NOW] |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | CBS Sports Network |
George Washington plays with tempo and doesn’t play much defense. According to KenPom, it ranks 255th in the nation in terms of defensive efficiency. More importantly, it doesn’t defend beyond the arc (206th 3-point percentage allowed).
Led by Luke Loewe — whose 64.8% effective field goal percentage ranked 10th in the nation last season — William & Mary has lights-out 3-point shooting.
On the other end of the court, the Tribe won’t put up much resistance inside. Jamison Battle (15.6 PPG, 7.8 RPG) should wear out William & Mary both inside and outside. Meanwhile, 6’9” Matt Moyer and 6’11” Noel Brown could be problems in the paint for the smallish Tribe frontcourt.
While this is William & Mary’s first game back after pausing basketball activities due to a positive COVID-19 test, George Washington is a team much more interested in the offensive end of the floor than it is in closing out on defense against a team that passes the ball well. I see this Tribe team getting into the 70s today.
CLICK THE DROPDOWN ARROW TO EASILY NAVIGATE TO ANY GAME
Colorado State (-15.5) vs. Northern Arizona
By Mike Randle
 | |
| Colorado State Odds | -15.5 [BET NOW] |
| Northern Arizona Odds | +15.5 [BET NOW] |
| Moneyline | -2000 / +950 [BET NOW] |
| Over/Under | 147 [BET NOW] |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | MW Network |
The Colorado State Rams are one of the nation’s best mid-major programs this season. Head coach Niko Medved has brought his coaching wizardry from Furman, where he turned a 9-21 first season into 23-11 just three years later.
This season, the Rams feature an explosive offense led by reigning Mountain West Freshman of the Year, Isaiah Stevens. Last season, Stevens burst on the conference scene with per-game averages of 13.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.5 assists while shooting 38% (46-of-121) from 3-point range.
Teammate David Roddy (11.4 ppgs, 5.6 rpg) is a fireplug of power, with strength and quickness on both ends of the floor. Juniors Adam Thistlewood (10.2 ppg, 39.3% from 3) and Kendle Moore (9.1 ppg, 43.5% from 3) extend the offense, making the Rams a very difficult matchup for any team.
With 6-foot-9 sophomore Dischon Thomas providing athleticism inside, the Rams should run Northern Arizona off the floor. The Lumberjacks have lost to Arizona by 33 and UC Riverside at home by 24. In both games, Northern Arizona was buried by halftime, trailing by 26 and 31 points.
Colorado State is ready to be a factor in both the Mountain West and national scene. The Rams are focused on returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2013 season. That road will move forward with a big home win tonight.
CLICK THE DROPDOWN ARROW TO EASILY NAVIGATE TO ANY GAME
San Diego (+3.5) vs. Nevada
 | |
| San Diego Odds | +3.5 [BET NOW] |
| Nevada Odds | -3.5 [BET NOW] |
| Moneyline | +143 / -175 [BET NOW] |
| Over/Under | 140.5 [BET NOW] |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | WCC Network |
Nevada is going through a major transition in 2020. It had to replace its entire starting five, and its unquestioned leader, Jalen Harris, turned pro. After a solid start to the season, things are starting to head in a downward spiral as they've lost two games, including one to Grand Canyon.
There’s going to be a lot of growing pains when relying only on transfers, bench players from last season, and freshmen. The major decline is going to be on the offensive end of the floor. Per KenPom, the Wolf Pack ranked 44th in offensive efficiency last season. However, this season they are projected as the 131st-best offense in college basketball. It’s shown so far, as the Grand Canyon game was the first time they’ve scored more than 70 points this season.
San Diego struggled last year due to the offseason departure of four seniors from its starting lineup. The Toreros went through some growing pains with a young roster on their way to a 9-23 season. However, third-year head coach Sam Scholl has nearly the entire roster back and added talent via the transfer portal.
Duquesne transfer Mark Hughes (originally started at Missouri) and Rice transfer Josh Parrish (originally started at TCU) are two important additions for a mid-major like San Diego. Hughes and Parrish will play an immediate role and provide a ton of depth for the Toreros.
The main issue for the Toreros last season was on offense: They ranked 315th in offensive efficiency and were in the bottom 100 of Division I programs in just about every offensive metric. However, with an improved roster returning, KenPom is projecting San Diego to make a big jump — all the way up to 194th in offensive efficiency.
I have Nevada projected as only -1.24 favorites, so I think there’s some value on the Toreros at home at +3.5.
How would you rate this article?
FanDuel & DraftKings Promos Combine for $400 in North Carolina, $350 in Other States for Any Game
Fanatics Sportsbook Promo Provides $1,000 Sign Up Offer in Most States, 10 Boost Tokens in 5 States
bet365 Bonus Code TOPACTION Earns Choice Between 2 Offers in Ten States for Any Game, Including NHL & NBA Playoffs
Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code Scores $1K Insurance Bet for Monday Playoff Action; 100% Profit Boosts Live in IA, ME & MD
Follow Us On Social
