Wednesday College Basketball Betting Picks: Our Staff’s 5 Favorite Bets

There's no shortage of intrigue on Wednesday's college basketball slate, including a few key Big Ten and Big East matchups.

But our staff isn't stopping there when digging for their best bets on the card. They're also headed to the Missouri Valley, Atlantic 10 and Mountain West to find value.

Here are our five favorite college basketball bets for Wednesday.

Wednesday College Basketball Betting Picks

College basketball odds as of Wednesday morning and via FanDuel, where Action Network users get a risk-free bet up to $500.

Eli Hershkovich

• Odds: Georgetown at Xavier (-3.5)
• Over/Under: 148
• Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
• TV: FS1

Travis Steele’s Musketeers have been sitting on a three-game losing streak for a week, which includes a 20-point loss at Marquette on Jan. 22. They’ll return to the Cintas Center to face a Hoyas’ team that’s failed to cover five of their past six games.

Xavier doesn’t possess a major metric edge in this one, but it does have a size advantage against Georgetown’s short rotation after four players transferred from the Hoyas' program last month. If Steele does stick with the same starting five, the Musketeers will showcase a mismatch with either forwards Naji Marshall or Jason Carter vs. the Hoyas’ smaller frontcourt.

Expect an angry Xavier bunch to look to get Georgetown into foul trouble while attacking the rim with its plus matchups. The Musketeers should be able to get to the basket in transition, too, thanks to their 19.8% opponents’ turnover rate. Their guards will generate havoc against a Hoyas’ squad that presents a below-average turnover percentage (19.1%).

Expect Xavier to deliver one of its best performances of the season back at home in a prime bounce-back spot.

Pick: Xavier -3.5

Stuckey

• Odds: Georgetown at Xavier (-3.5)
• Over/Under: 148
• Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
• TV: FS1

We should get a desperate effort at home from Xavier after three straight losses, especially after a week off, which is important for a team without much depth.

It’s been a fairly disappointing season for the Musketeers, but not because of their play on the defensive end, which has been solid. They have struggled on the offensive end, primarily when it comes to the outside shot.

X is only shooting a touch over 29% from deep on the year which ranks outside the top 300. I expect some positive regression in that department the rest of the season.

Georgetown has surprised me at times this year after losing a number of key players to transfer but this is a team that I’m looking to fade down the stretch as I think fatigue could become a major issue with their reduced rotation.

The Hoyas also haven’t been impressive in conference on the road with three straight double digit losses. Give me Xavier at home to get back on track.

Pick: Xavier -3.5

Michael Calabrese

• Odds: Duquesne at Rhode Island -4
• Over/Under: 137.5
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN+

Duquesne really knows how to drive a game under the posted total. The Dukes play at a slow pace (273rd), excel defensively (61.2 ppg allowed, 20th) and in A-10 play the under has cashed in four of DU’s five conference games.

Duquesne has accomplished this with a mixture of scheme, disruption and discipline. Teams connect on just 6.3 three-pointers per game against DU, at an anemic 28.9% clip. The Dukes block percentage is an absurd 11%, the fourth highest in the entire country. And they do it all without fouling teams and sending them to the line.

No team in the A-10 fouls less frequently and surrenders few foul shot attempts per contest than Duquesne.

As for the Dukes’ opponent tonight, Rhode Island has morphed from a high scoring team in the first six weeks of the season (76.5 ppg in first 11 games) to a squad content grinding games out in the half court (66.4 ppg in last five). That offensive drop-off has coincided with the under paying out in the Rams last five ballgames.

Rhody is playing right into the Dukes’ hands tonight, because they already struggle from three-point range (30%, 297th) and they rely upon getting to the line. The Rams attempt the second most foul shots per game in the A-10.

Pick: Under 137.5

Collin Wilson

• Odds: Illinois State at Bradley (-9)
• Over/Under: 136
• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN+

Illinois State has yet to win a game in 2020. The Redbirds last victory came on New Years Eve against Northern Iowa, considered the best team in the Missouri Valley Conference.

But Illinois State has been abysmal since. A double-digit home loss to Loyola Chicago on Sunday highlights a team running fumes. Coach Dan Muller said "this will be the toughest comeback" for a team that had aspirations of dancing in March.

Bradley was 7-2 against the spread at home before a 15-point loss to Northern Iowa on Saturday. The Panthers led by just three points with under six minutes to go, giving a bit of discount in the Braves line against Illinois State.

Bradley has been excellent against the Missouri Valley, ranking second in offensive efficiency within the conference. Illinois State is the worst in the conference in defensive rebounding, which will come into play against the Braves who are top 35 in the nation in offensive rebounding.

On the other side of the court, Illinois State is dead last in 2-point shooting percentage in the Missouri Valley. Bradley ranks first in defense inside the arc and fourth from beyond the perimeter within the conference. Zach Copeland is the best offensive weapon for the Redbirds, but the Braves lead the conference in blocks.

Illinois State has covered just one game on the road all season, and Muller also said that "when you lose confidence, you lose trust." Illinois State has a roster with chemistry and psyche issues.

A non-cover here puts the Redbirds on the radar for a fade the remainder of the season. Back the Braves on longer rest, who typically dominate the bottom of the Missouri Valley and have a track record of covering at home.

Pick: Bradley -9

Mike Randle

• Odds: Fresno State at Colorado State (-4.5)
• Over/Under: 135.5
• Time: 9:00 PM
• TV: ESPN3

Colorado State (13-7) has been playing exceptionally well the last two weeks. The Rams have won four consecutive Mountain West games in a row by an average of 16.5 points per game.

They have also fared well against the spread, covering the last three games by a differential of +46.5 points.

Fresno State (6-12) has struggled all year, especially on the road. The Bulldogs are just 2-7 on the road including 1-2 in conference. Their advantage usually comes on the boards, as they rank 48th in offensive rebounding percentage, but now face a Colorado State team that is 16th-best in limiting offensive boards. Rams 6-foot-11 senior center Nico Carvacho has averaged 12.8 rebounds over the past four games.

Colorado State freshman guard Isaiah Stevens (13.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.5 apg) is averaging 17 points over the Rams’ past three games while shooting 57.1 % (8 of 14) from beyond the arc. Fellow freshman backcourt mate David Roddy has scored in double-figures in seven consecutive contests.

The Bulldogs are coming off a win at Wyoming where they outrebounded the Cowboys 44-30. That will not happen at Colorado State, putting more emphasis on Fresno State subpar 3P shooting (31.9%) and free throw efficiency (70.9%).

The Rams are a superior offensive team, ranking 33rd in effective field goal percentage, 67th in 3P%, and 41st in 2P%. I like Colorado State to extend their winning streak behind their efficient offense and ability to mitigate Fresno State’s normal rebounding advantage.

Pick: Colorado State -4.5