The Polymarket promo code (ACTION) is perfect to use on college basketball opening night. These college basketball picks round up our best Polymarket trades for the Nov. 2 slate.
- Opening night brings five games, led by No. 1 Florida and a Hall of Fame Series doubleheader in Las Vegas.
- The board mixes five totals, three moneylines, and two spreads, with every price pulled from a live Polymarket ticket.
Here is our full table of college basketball picks today, built on one of the best prediction markets for opening night, before we break down every game.
| 🏀 Game (Start) | 🏷️ CBB Pick: Price | 🤑 Return on $100 | 📈 Trade It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami vs Florida (6:00 PM ET) | Over 160.5: Yes | 51¢ | $189.62 | Trade it on Polymarket! |
| Miami vs Florida (6:00 PM ET) | FLA -5.5: Yes | 50¢ | $193.28 | Trade it on Polymarket! |
| Memphis vs Iowa State (7:00 PM ET) | Over 155.5: Yes | 52¢ | $186.09 | Trade it on Polymarket! |
| Memphis vs Iowa State (7:00 PM ET) | MEM +14.5 (ISU -14.5 NO): No | 48¢ | $201.06 | Trade it on Polymarket! |
| Gonzaga vs Purdue (7:30 PM ET) | Under 153.5 (Over NO): No | 50¢ | $193.28 | Trade it on Polymarket! |
| Gonzaga vs Purdue (7:30 PM ET) | PUR ML: Yes | 32¢ | $298.40 | Trade it on Polymarket! |
| Ohio State vs BYU (9:00 PM ET) | BYU ML: Yes | 62¢ | $157.14 | Trade it on Polymarket! |
| Ohio State vs BYU (9:00 PM ET) | Under 160.5 (Over NO): No | 51¢ | $189.62 | Trade it on Polymarket! |
| Arizona vs UCLA (10:00 PM ET) | ARIZ ML: Yes | 66¢ | $148.01 | Trade it on Polymarket! |
| Arizona vs UCLA (10:00 PM ET) | Over 150.5: Yes | 48¢ | $201.06 | Trade it on Polymarket! |
Read our dedicated Polymarket review to learn more, or check out more prediction market promo codes for other platforms.
College Basketball Picks Today: Our Top Polymarket Trades for Opening Night
Every pick below is a real trade from the live Polymarket board, and together they make up our best college basketball picks for opening night. Compare the best prediction market apps for more options, and visit the NCAAB hub for the rest of the schedule.
Use Polymarket promo code ACTION and Deposit $10, Get a $25 Trading Bonus!
These college basketball picks today run in tip-off order, and we rank each game's two trades from highest to lowest.
Miami vs Florida Prediction
No. 1 Florida opens its season against No. 14 Miami at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, with ESPN2 carrying the game. Todd Golden brings back 11 players, including Thomas Haugh, Rueben Chinyelu and Alex Condon, last season's top rebounding frontcourt.
Miami returns just three players, none of them starters, and adds nine newcomers, including DeSean Goode from Robert Morris and Villanova transfer Acaden Lewis. Track lines on our Miami vs. Florida odds page.
Best Total Pick Today – Over 160.5
| 🏀 CBB Prediction | 🏷️ Position | Price | 🤑 Return on $100 | 📈 Trade It Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 160.5 | Yes | 51¢ | $189.62 | Trade it now on Polymarket! |
Haugh, Chinyelu and Condon accounted for nearly half of Florida's scoring last season, so the Gators bring plenty of ways to score.
Miami counters with new scorers. Lewis averaged 12.2 points and 5.3 assists at Villanova, and Goode shot nearly 63% from the floor at Robert Morris.
The risk: nine new Miami faces need time to gel, and rust can slow any season opener.
At an average price of 51¢, a $100 buy works out to roughly 196 shares, each worth $1 if the contract resolves Yes. The return figure reflects Polymarket's live order book and fees, so it runs a little below the raw share math.
- If Miami and Florida combine for 161 or more points: Return of $189.62.
- If they finish with 160 or fewer: the $100 stake is a total loss.
That pays roughly 1.9x on a total that prices close to a coin flip.
Best Spread Pick Today – Florida -5.5
| 🏀 CBB Prediction | 🏷️ Position | Price | 🤑 Return on $100 | 📈 Trade It Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| FLA -5.5 | Yes | 50¢ | $193.28 | Trade it now on Polymarket! |
Early in the season, we lean on familiarity. Florida brings back 11 players, including six seniors and three juniors, while Miami has only seven seniors and juniors combined, with nine newcomers.
The spread opened at Florida -6.5 and settled at -5.5, and Polymarket's 5.5 line prices a Florida cover at 50%. Jai Lucas rebuilt Miami quickly, but a reworked roster against the No. 1 team in the country is a tall ask on opening night.
At an average price of 50¢, a $100 buy works out to roughly 200 shares, each worth $1 if the contract resolves Yes.
- If Florida wins by six or more points: Return of $193.28.
- If Florida wins by five or fewer, or loses: the $100 stake is a total loss.
That pays roughly 1.9x on a spread that prices as a true coin flip.
Memphis vs Iowa State Prediction
No. 18 Iowa State faces Memphis at Sanford Sports Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with FS1 carrying the game. The Cyclones won 22 or more games in four of T.J. Otzelberger's five seasons as head coach and finished top 10 in defensive efficiency in four of those five.
Memphis won 13 games last season, and Nemanja Popovic sits out the first six games because of his professional past. The Tigers turned the ball over on 19% of their possessions last year and shot 31% from three. Track the lines on our Memphis vs. Iowa State odds page.
Best Total Pick Today – Over 155.5
| 🏀 CBB Prediction | 🏷️ Position | Price | 🤑 Return on $100 | 📈 Trade It Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 155.5 | Yes | 52¢ | $186.09 | Trade it now on Polymarket! |
Team totals of 85.5 for Iowa State and 70.5 for Memphis on our game page add up to 156, one point above this number.
Memphis turned the ball over on 19% of its possessions last season, and turnovers give Iowa State extra transition chances. Add shooters like sophomore Jamarion Batemon and Ryan Prather Jr., and the points can pile up quickly.
The risk: Iowa State finished top 10 in defensive efficiency in four of Otzelberger's five seasons, and a slow Memphis offense can slow the pace.
At an average price of 52¢, a $100 buy works out to roughly 192 shares, each worth $1 if the contract resolves Yes.
- If the teams combine for 156 or more points: Return of $186.09.
- If they finish with 155 or fewer: the $100 stake is a total loss.
That pays roughly 1.9x on a number that splits the market almost evenly.
Best Spread Pick Today – Memphis +14.5
| 🏀 CBB Prediction | 🏷️ Position | Price | 🤑 Return on $100 | 📈 Trade It Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEM +14.5 (ISU -14.5 NO) | No | 48¢ | $201.06 | Trade it now on Polymarket! |
Spreads this large stretch what a team can cover in its first game. The line opened at Iowa State -13.5 and climbed to -14.5, and Polymarket prices an Iowa State cover at 53%.
Memphis added shooters in Rihards Vavers, who made 41% of his threes at Washington State, and Jerry Deng, a 37% deep shooter in 2024-25. With Popovic out, the Tigers lean on their perimeter scoring.
This ticket is a points play, not a win call. Iowa State's defense can squeeze Memphis, but 14.5 points gives the Tigers a big cushion.
At an average price of 48¢, a $100 buy on the No side works out to roughly 208 shares, each worth $1 if the contract resolves No.
- If Iowa State wins by 14 or fewer points, or Memphis wins: you get $201.06 back.
- If Iowa State wins by 15 or more: the $100 stake is a total loss.
That pays just over 2x on the biggest spread of the night.
Gonzaga vs Purdue Prediction
No. 15 Gonzaga opens the Hall of Fame Series against Purdue at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with TNT carrying the game. The Bulldogs make their Pac-12 debut behind a frontcourt of Braden Huff and Massamba Diop, and they shot just 33.3% from three last season, the worst mark of Mark Few's tenure.
Purdue lost Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff, and Matt Painter has 10 players competing for starting spots. Track lines on our Gonzaga vs. Purdue odds page.
Best Total Pick Today – Under 153.5
| 🏀 CBB Prediction | 🏷️ Position | Price | 🤑 Return on $100 | 📈 Trade It Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 153.5 (Over NO) | No | 50¢ | $193.28 | Trade it now on Polymarket! |
Our staff expects Purdue to control the pace in the opener, and its tempo typically runs slower than Gonzaga's. With a new-look rotation, Purdue has little reason to rush.
Gonzaga's shooting problems from last season remain unsolved, and sharpshooter Chauncey Wiggins is currently ineligible. Polymarket's 153.5 sits a point below the 154.5 consensus on our game page, so the Under needs a lower score to cash.
At an average price of 50¢, a $100 buy on the No side works out to roughly 200 shares, each worth $1 if the contract resolves No.
- If Gonzaga and Purdue combine for 153 or fewer points: Return of $193.28.
- If they combine for 154 or more: the $100 stake is a total loss.
That pays roughly 1.9x on a total that prices as a pure coin flip.
Best Moneyline Pick Today – Purdue
| 🏀 CBB Prediction | 🏷️ Position | Price | 🤑 Return on $100 | 📈 Trade It Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| PUR ML | Yes | 32¢ | $298.40 | Trade it now on Polymarket! |
Purdue is a true longshot at 32%, but the Boilermakers still bring size and a returning starter in C.J. Cox, who shot above 38% from three in each of his first two seasons. Gonzaga leans on its frontcourt while its perimeter shooting stays a question.
Gonzaga has won its early marquee openers comfortably, including a 15-point win over Oklahoma last season, so this ticket carries real risk. It rewards traders who expect Purdue's 10 starting candidates to find their footing faster than the market expects.
At an average price of 32¢, a $100 buy works out to roughly 312 shares, each worth $1 if the contract resolves Yes.
- If Purdue wins outright: Return of $298.40.
- If Gonzaga wins: the $100 stake is a total loss.
That pays nearly 3x, the biggest return on the slate.
Ohio State vs BYU Prediction
No. 25 BYU meets Ohio State at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, with FS1 carrying the game. The Cougars add Jaxon Kohler, the former Michigan State forward who signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Jazz, and Collin Chandler, who made 73 threes at 41% for Kentucky.
Ohio State lost Bruce Thornton Jr. and leans on returning starters John Mobley Jr. and Amare Bynum. Josh Ojianwuna has not played since February 2025 while recovering from a torn ACL. Track lines on our Ohio State vs. BYU odds page.
Best Moneyline Pick Today – BYU
| 🏀 CBB Prediction | 🏷️ Position | Price | 🤑 Return on $100 | 📈 Trade It Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYU ML | Yes | 62¢ | $157.14 | Trade it now on Polymarket! |
Robert Wright III averaged 18.1 points and 4.6 assists on 46.7% shooting last season, and he now plays alongside Kohler, who averaged 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds at Michigan State.
BYU finished with the 12th-best offense in the country by KenPom last season despite ranking 334th of 365 teams in assists per made field goal. Ohio State has to replace Thornton and ease Ojianwuna back into game action.
Polymarket's 62% line matches the consensus moneyline on our game page.
At an average price of 62¢, a $100 buy works out to roughly 161 shares, each worth $1 if the contract resolves Yes.
- If BYU wins outright: Return of $157.14.
- If Ohio State wins: the $100 stake is a total loss.
That pays roughly 1.6x for the favorite.
Best Total Pick Today – Under 160.5
| 🏀 CBB Prediction | 🏷️ Position | Price | 🤑 Return on $100 | 📈 Trade It Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 160.5 (Over NO) | No | 51¢ | $189.62 | Trade it now on Polymarket! |
Ohio State returns just four players and sorts out new roles, and Ojianwuna shakes off more than a year away from game action. Early-season rotations tend to slow offenses, and 160.5 ties for the highest total on our slate.
BYU finished 12th in KenPom offense last season, so the Over has a real case, which helps explain why this Under trades at a coin-flip price.
At an average price of 51¢, a $100 buy on the No side works out to roughly 196 shares, each worth $1 if the contract resolves No.
- If Ohio State and BYU combine for 160 or fewer points: Return of $189.62.
- If they combine for 161 or more: the $100 stake is a total loss.
That pays roughly 1.9x on a total that prices at a dead heat.
Arizona vs UCLA Prediction
No. 5 Arizona faces No. 22 UCLA at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with TNT airing the nightcap of the Hall of Fame Series. Arizona brings back several players from last season's Final Four team and adds Caleb Holt, a 6-foot-5 guard and the third-ranked recruit in the 2026 class, after losing Brayden Burries and Koa Peat.
UCLA kept its frontcourt and added guards Jaylen Petty and Trent Perry as Mick Cronin begins his eighth season. Our injury report lists RJ Godfrey (eligibility) and Endurance Aiyamenkhue (leg) as questionable for Arizona. Track lines on our Arizona vs. UCLA odds page.
Best Moneyline Pick Today – Arizona
| 🏀 CBB Prediction | 🏷️ Position | Price | 🤑 Return on $100 | 📈 Trade It Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARIZ ML | Yes | 66¢ | $148.01 | Trade it now on Polymarket! |
Our staff sees a paint advantage for Arizona, with Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov facing a UCLA frontcourt that returned intact. Holt also gives the Wildcats a physical defender to match up against UCLA's new guards.
Polymarket's 66% matches the consensus moneyline on our game page. Check the Godfrey and Aiyamenkhue statuses before tip.
At an average price of 66¢, a $100 buy works out to roughly 152 shares, each worth $1 if the contract resolves Yes.
- If Arizona wins outright: Return of $148.01.
- If UCLA wins: the $100 stake is a total loss.
That pays roughly 1.5x, the lowest return and the highest price in this article.
Best Total Pick Today – Over 150.5
| 🏀 CBB Prediction | 🏷️ Position | Price | 🤑 Return on $100 | 📈 Trade It Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 150.5 | Yes | 48¢ | $201.06 | Trade it now on Polymarket! |
Our PRO model projected a 3.7% edge on the Over at 149.5, a point below Polymarket's 150.5, and cited Arizona's fast pace and UCLA's strong backcourt.
The risk: Holt and a physical Arizona defense can make UCLA's guards work for every shot, and a tight game can grind down the pace.
At an average price of 48¢, a $100 buy works out to roughly 208 shares, each worth $1 if the contract resolves Yes.
- If the teams combine for 151 or more points: Return of $201.06.
- If they finish with 150 or fewer: the $100 stake is a total loss.
That pays just over 2x on the nightcap total.
What's Moving the Market: College Basketball Odds
Prediction markets move for many reasons, and Polymarket does not show the reason behind any price change. Polymarket lines on our game pages tell part of the story: Florida opened as a 6.5-point favorite over Miami and settled at 5.5, while Iowa State stretched from 13.5 to 14.5 against Memphis.
BYU opened as a 1.5-point favorite over Ohio State and now lays 3.5, and Gonzaga moved from 4.5 to 5.5 against Purdue. Three of those four spreads grew toward the favorite, a useful read on college basketball odds this early.
Polymarket tracks the sportsbook moneylines closely. Arizona sits at 66% and BYU at 62%, right in line with the college basketball odds on our NCAAB odds page, so check those lines before you lock in college basketball picks today.
How to Trade These NCAAB Picks on Polymarket
Ready to get in on these NCAAB picks? Here's exactly how to claim the bonus and start trading opening night:
- Read a comprehensive Polymarket review to understand how this exchange operates.
- Follow this guide to trading on Polymarket to learn how to buy your first "Yes" or "No" contract.
- Monitor the relevant tab on Polymarket to stay ahead of the live order book movements.
- When you're ready, sign up with Polymarket promo code ACTION to get started!
📝 POLYMARKET TERMS & CONDITIONS
18+ Only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Not available in all jurisdictions. Trading is risky. 100% loss can occur. See polymarket.com/tos for more information. The Polymarket US App serves as an independent software provider and affiliate of Polymarket US and Polymarket Clearing, the CFTC-regulated exchange and clearing organization.
Final Thoughts: College Basketball Predictions for Opening Night
Opening night pairs unknown rosters with proven stars, so our college basketball predictions lean on the two things that matter most early: roster continuity and clear roles. Florida's returning core, BYU's NBA-tested additions, and Arizona's Final Four holdovers anchor the favorites.
Purdue and Memphis offer the leverage for traders who want a bigger return on a single result, and the totals give every game a second angle. These NCAAB picks and college basketball best bets rest on real prices, so check each market again before tip-off.
Browse the NCAAB hub for more college basketball predictions as the season rolls on.
College Basketball Picks FAQs
What are the best college basketball picks today?
Our college basketball picks today cover five opening-night games on Polymarket. Arizona on the moneyline at 66 cents and BYU on the moneyline at 62 cents carry the highest prices, while Purdue on the moneyline at 32 cents offers the biggest return.
How many college basketball best bets does this slate include?
This slate includes ten college basketball best bets across five games: three moneylines, two spreads, and five totals, with two trades per game.
What are the best college basketball predictions for Nov 2?
Our college basketball predictions start with Florida to cover 5.5, BYU and Arizona to win outright, Memphis to cover 14.5, and the Under in Gonzaga vs. Purdue and Ohio State vs. BYU. We also take the Over in Miami vs. Florida, Memphis vs. Iowa State, and Arizona vs. UCLA.
Where can I find college basketball odds for opening night?
For college basketball odds, Polymarket lists each game as a percentage price, and Action Network's NCAAB odds page lists sportsbook spreads, totals, and moneylines for every game on the board.
Can I trade NCAAB picks on Polymarket?
Yes. Polymarket lists moneyline, spread, and total markets for college basketball games, and every NCAAB pick comes from one of those markets.
How do I use the Polymarket promo code?
Create a Polymarket account, make a qualifying deposit, and enter the promo code shown in this article before you place your first trade.
How do Polymarket college basketball contracts work?
Each contract pays one dollar per share if the outcome hits and nothing if it misses. A 50-cent price means the market gives that outcome a 50% chance.
Why do some of these college basketball best bets sit on the No side?
Under 160.5 is the No side of the Over 160.5 contract, and Memphis +14.5 is the No side of Iowa State winning by more than 14.5 points. Both college basketball best bets pay one dollar per share when No wins.
When do these markets resolve?
Each market resolves after its game ends, using the official final score.
