Four elite college basketball programs travel to State Farm Arena on Saturday for one of the marquee events in college basketball, the CBS Sports Classic.
Our staff is ready to break down both games — No. 22 St. John's vs. Kentucky and Ohio State vs. No. 12 UNC — from a betting perspective.
Read below for how to bet the 2025 CBS Sports Classic, including picks and odds for the premier college basketball event on Saturday, December 20.
How to Bet 2025 CBS Sports Classic
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 12:30 p.m. | |
  | 3 p.m. | |
| 3 p.m. | |
| 3 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. | ||
St. John's vs. Kentucky
If Jayden Quaintance returns, Mark Pope's issue of finding the right lineup that maximizes his team on both ends of the floor doesn't get any easier. Some would argue that this fringes on a "good problem to have," but it's certainly a problem that will persist.
Even if he doesn't make his season debut, both of these teams have had their issues offensively, yet they'll make their name this season with defense.
In a 12:30 p.m. ET tip-off, I'm not expecting a shootout.
Rick Pitino would love for this game to devolve into a street fight, while Pope likely fears that outcome, despite his team maybe being best served playing that way.
I'll take the under, as I'm expecting a rock fight.
Pick: Under 136.5
Ohio State vs. North Carolina
By Jordan Mann
UNC has started this season off strong, as it's 10-1 with its lone loss coming against Michigan State.
The most impressive part about the Tar Heels' hot start is that they did most of their damage without their senior captain, Seth Trimble, who's expected to make his return on Saturday.
Trimble has only played in two games this season, with his last being a 87-74 win against Kansas when he posted 17 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
UNC’s defense has the sixth-best effective Field Goal Percentage Against (42.3%) in the country and now it adds its veteran athletic wing defender back into the equation.
Assuming Trimble will play his normal minutes, I expect him to be a part of UNC’s game plan in slowing down Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton (21.8 PPG).
With UNC getting Trimble back, it'll be even tougher to matchup with, which will cause problems for the Buckeyes.
Pick: UNC -3 (Play to -4)
Although it’s still early in the college basketball season, the Tar Heels look like a team that’s very likely to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
At 10-1, the Tar Heels' lone defeat came against a Michigan State squad that’s probably a bit undervalued by the bookmakers.
On Saturday, UNC will face Ohio State on a neutral court in the CBS Sports Classic.
The matchup features two of the best scorers in the country, with Buckeyes’ senior guard Bruce Thornton (21.8 PPG) going up against UNC’s sensational freshman Caleb Wilson (19.5 PPG).
However, per Team Rankings, the Tar Heels rank 15th in defensive efficiency, allowing 0.90 points per 100 possessions.
Even against tougher competition, UNC has yet to allow any opponent to reach the 80-point mark this season.
The Tar Heels are a clear step up in class for a Buckeyes team that’s just 2-2 against power-conference schools.
With the game tipping off at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, UNC should have enough of the crowd’s support to ride out to victory and cover the spread.
Pick: UNC -3 (Play to -4)
By John Feltman
While my colleagues take UNC, I'm going the other way and betting the Buckeyes.
UNC is the bigger name and has more offensive talent, but when you look closer, the Buckeyes actually fit what you want in an underdog, especially with their efficiency, balance and the ways they can challenge the Heels.
The Heels’ recent opponents have been weak, so their results aren't convincing enough to suggest they're an elite team.
Yes, they're expected to get Seth Trimble back into the fold for this one, but we don't know if he'll be a full-go and/or if he's rusty after not playing since November 7.
Pick: Ohio State +4 (Play to +2.5)
