It's officially one of the best college basketball betting weeks of the entire season, as Feast Week is here.
Normally we're talking about the Maui Invitational or the Battle 4 Atlantis as the headline events of this week, but this season, it's definitely the Players Era Festival that takes the top slot.
So, our staff has complied a pick for every game, providing you with Players Era Festival best bets — including nine predictions, picks and odds — for Monday, November 24.
Players Era Festival Best Bets
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
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  | 1 p.m. | |
  | 2 p.m. | |
  | 3:30 p.m. | |
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  | 6 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 9:30 p.m. | |
  | 10:30 p.m. | |
  | 11:59 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. | ||
Rutgers vs. Tennessee
By Jonny Jorcin
Teams will be playing back-to-back days for the first time this season and will also be playing through some early start times to celebrate Feast Week.
So, I’m most likely never going to be too keen to lay this many points.
Also, is Tennessee really focused on Rutgers? I think the Vols might be looking ahead to their Tuesday game against a top-five team in Houston.
We'll solely rely on Rutgers to keep the scoring pace, but with Tennessee looking ahead, I think this is a really good spot to back the underdog. It’s currently at 14.5, and I don’t expect much movement either way. Regardless, I wouldn’t bet it at anything less than +13.
Pick: Rutgers +14.5 (Play to +13)
Creighton vs. Baylor
By Sean Paul
I'm totally on the fade Creighton train right now.
Owen Freeman will eventually get rolling as he gets in better shape after an injury-riddled summer. So, if Freeman drops 20 here, that wouldn't be a surprise. He'll end up as Creighton's best player.
However, the guard play is a major problem, and Freeman won't help Creighton's defensive problems much.
Pick: Baylor -3.5 (Play to -6.5)
Kansas vs. Notre Dame
Kansas is battling injury issues, but it remains a deeper team than Notre Dame.
The Jayhawks' size and athleticism will give this Fighting Irish issues throughout the contest.
I expect Kansas to dominate the glass and paint in this game, which will be the key difference.
I'll trust the deeper team and better coach in this early-season contest.
Pick: Kansas -4.5
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St. John's vs. Iowa State
By Jonny Jorcin
Coming into this game, this Iowa State is at full health and it has more returning production to pair with new roster additions, which might give it a few advantages.
I think Iowa State will placate the Red Storm and play fast, up-tempo basketball. The Cyclones will use an aggressive defense to create some fast-break opportunities. Iowa State has the third-best 2-point field goal percentage in the nation, thanks to its defense creating chaotic sequences.
Overall, the roster makeup of these teams has me leaning into the Cyclones. This spread is currently -1.5 (at the time of writing), but I would rather be in on the moneyline. I won’t lay more than -140, but anything else, I’ll be confident in Iowa State.
The -1.5 at -110 isn’t necessarily a stay away, but I’d rather lay more juice for a moneyline win.
Pick: Iowa State ML -135 (Play to -140)
Houston vs. Syracuse
By Sean Paul
I'm all over Houston. It'll be tough for Syracuse to compete with the length, rebounding and experience of last season's national runner-up.
Syracuse will be in contention for an NCAA Tournament bid, but Houston is in another weight class.
The Cougars are fifth in KenPom right now and as crazy as it sounds, I view that as their floor. They're so complete on both ends of the floor and the shooting will eventually get into the 33-35% range.
Once that happens, good luck competing with Coach Kelvin Sampson's squad.
Pick: Houston -12.5
Auburn vs. Oregon
By Sean Paul
With the line sitting at -4 in Auburn's favor (as of writing), it likely bakes in Keyshawn Hall being out. If Hall were playing, I would view the line as -6 or so for Auburn.
Still, I trust the Tigers more in this matchup.
The Ducks' lineup is missing a guard to really push them to the next level, and that's not something Coach Dana Altman can fix in November.
He'll need his stars to stand out to have a chance to win, while Auburn can win using its offense or defense.
Pick: Auburn -4 (Play to -5)
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Gonzaga vs. Alabama
By Sean Paul
Gonzaga is elite defensively — there's no doubt about that. Alabama is a totally different monster than anything the Zags have faced so far, though.
The Bulldogs won each of their games by 12+ points and two games by 50+ points. That's why Gonzaga is third in KenPom. I don't buy into the Zags as the third-best team in America, though.
The Bulldogs had no issues turning over Oklahoma, Arizona State or Creighton. Something has to give, as Alabama turns the ball over just 12% of the time.
Gonzaga has to maintain its elite turnover rate, or prove me wrong with its shooting.
Go with the Tide in an upset.
Pick: Alabama ML +152
Michigan vs. San Diego State
By Greg Waddell
The matchups on both ends favor an ugly, lower-than-expected scoring game.
Michigan's turnover problem may very well be on full display against the terrifying San Diego State defense.
On the other end of the court, San Diego State relies on offensive rebounds to grind teams down, and those won't be there for the taking against the monstrous Michigan frontcourt.
149.5 points is far too high, and I expect a game in the low 70s at most.
Pick: Under 149.5
UNLV vs. Maryland
By Evan Abrams
Maryland enters this neutral-site clash at the MGM Grand Garden Arena as a 2-point favorite over UNLV (as of writing), with a total of 162.5 that's drawn sharp action on the under amid the venue's reputation for defensive grinds.
The Terps are 4-1 straight-up this season, including gritty road wins over Marquette and an overtime thriller against Mount St. Mary's. They're holding opponents to just 71.2 points per game on 42.9% shooting — well below the 45.5% UNLV has allowed in its three victories.
Meanwhile, UNLV sits at 3-2, fresh off a 99-85 bounce-back win against Saint Joseph's in which Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn dropped 20. However, the Rebels' defense has leaked oil in losses, surrendering 88+ points in both defeats to unranked foes like UT Martin and Montana.
The Rebels' games average a blistering 177.2 points, 15.7 over Monday's number, but that's against softer competition.
Maryland's physicality should clamp that pace early.
But for this particular game, the angle doesn't come on the total. Evan Abrams' "Stadium Unders" system is indeed firing here, with the MGM's deep backdrops, glaring Vegas lights and elevated court setups historically sapping rhythm and forcing coaches into half-court sets (27% ROI this season and all-time).
Instead, the real value lies in fading the Rebels, as early-season volatility in high-total matchups creates a sharp counterplay on the overvalued favorite.
In early-season college basketball, games featuring high totals and mismatched teams against the spread often create value on the underperforming side.
When one team has struggled to cover while its opponent has consistently exceeded expectations, public sentiment tends to favor the team with the stronger record against the number.
However, in fast-paced, high-total environments, volatility increases and closing margins tighten. Poor ATS teams are often priced at their lowest, while efficient teams are overvalued after strong runs.
Early in the season, with limited data and defensive structures still forming, these matchups frequently swing back toward balance, allowing the undervalued side to outperform inflated lines and cover at a profitable rate.
Pick: Maryland -1.5 (Play to -2.5)
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