3 Best College Basketball Bets and Predictions for Tuesday 12/17/24

College basketball is back, giving us plenty of betting options with so many teams in action every day.

Fortunately, we have ample tools at our disposal that can help our chances of finding a good value bet. Bart Torvik and KenPom are excellent sources that provide insight into team-level effectiveness, and Sports reference also provides a wide range of useful team stats.

Let’s check out the FanDuel Sportsbook’s college basketball odds and pick some of today’s best bets using the tools mentioned.

Please note that lines may change during the day after this article is published.

Today’s Top College Basketball Picks

James Madison Dukes at Wake Forest Demon Deacons

James Madison over 63.5 points (-112)

Tuesday features a matchup between James Madison and Wake Forest, and Bart Torvik suggests those teams are close, even though the Dukes rank 115th in the adjusted rankings while the Demon Deacons are 98th.

JMU’s biggest challenge will likely be putting the ball in the hoop, as Wake Forest ranks 193rd in adjusted offensive efficiency compared to 35th in adjusted defense. This is further proven by the fact that the Deacons only gave up 64.8 points per game. game (top 9% for defense) and a 45.5% effective field goal percentage (top 10%).

However, the Dukes are putting up 74.1 PPG (top 44%) paired with 53.5 eFG% (top 24%). This is led by a ferocious three-point offense that attempts 27.8 shots per game. match (top 12%) along with a 48.1% shot distribution from deep (top 8%). Meanwhile, Wake is giving up a 45.5% three-point shooting percentage (bottom 12%), while making 8.2 three-point makes per game (bottom 32%) and 26.3 three-point shots per game. competition (bottom 15%).

Adding to the Demon Deacons’ concerns, JMU has drained double-digit threes in five of its last six games, shooting 37.5% from deep during that span. By comparison, the Dukes are shooting an efficient 36.8% from three-point land this season (top 20%). James Madison’s latest mark of 37.5% would place it in the top 16% of college basketball.

Given this three-point matchup, tonight’s 63.5-point plug feels disrespectful to the Dukes. number Four’s college basketball projections James Madison has scored 73.2 points. Give me across the road underdog.

No. 25 Clemson Tigers at South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina Moneyline (+106)

One of the most anticipated games of the evening is a rivalry between Clemson and South Carolina. The Gamecocks carry home court advantage in an intense clash, but the Tigers are 2.5-point favorites. As Bart Torvik suggests, Clemson (33rd) is likely the superior team over South Carolina (63rd). However, we must not overlook this road environment.

Bart Torvik’s game projections have South Carolina win by about a point, which puts a lot of value in this money line for the home underdog. Let’s look at the numbers.

First, these two teams have a similar style of playing through the post and relying on solid defense. Each team also sits in the top 31% for the slowest adjusted paces in college basketball. With every defense in the top 100 in points allowed per match, and field goals are allowed per competition, quality shots will be a huge deal tonight.

With that said, attacking the rim could have more value than usual. This is one category I expect the Gamecocks to win. USC is in the top 37% for close two-shot distribution, while the Tigers rank 106th in close two-shot distribution allowed. On the other side of the ball, South Carolina is only giving up a 32.4% shooting percentage for close twos (top 12%) and Clemson is in the bottom 30% for close two shooting percentage.

Two of the Tigers’ top three scorers are on the frontcourt: Ian Schieffelin (13.0 PPG) and Victor Lahkin (12.1 PPG). The Gamecocks’ interior defense is bolstered by forwards Collin Murray-Boyleswhich boasts a 3.03 Defensive Bayesian Performance Rating (DBPR) — via EvanMiya.

Clemson also leans on second-chance points thanks to its 34.7% offensive rebound percentage (top 8%), but South Carolina averages 25.5 defensive rebounds per game. match (top 13%). Taking offensive rebounds away from the Tigers should only erase even more looks around the rim.

With the ability to control the glass and the paint in a low-scoring, defensive game, I like the Gamecocks’ chances to pull through tonight.

North Carolina Tar Heels vs. no. 7 Florida Gators

Florida over 86.5 points (-104)

Since November 22, Florida has been a buzz saw, covering five consecutive games by an average margin of +22.8 points. This hasn’t been against just lesser competition either, as the Gators beat Arizona State and Virginia by an average margin of +17.5 points over their last two.

Florida has its toughest game of the season at North Carolina, but the Tar Heels are 2-3 and 1-4 against the spread (ATS) over their last five. UNC’s defense is a major concern, ranked 49th in adjusted defense, while the Gators are 6th in adjusted offense. UF is logging 86.2 PPG (top 3%) and has surpassed 86 points in three of the last five.

The three-ball has been an important part of Florida’s offense, as it shoots 28.8 attempts per game. match (top 8%), while it gives 9.7 per competition (top 11%). That’s pretty much your pick against this Tar Heels defense, which is giving up 78.7 PPG (bottom 20%) and 66.7 field goal attempts per game. match (bottom 2%). Much of this has to do with UNC’s sixth-fastest adjusted pace in college basketball.

While the Gators’ 86.5-point cap is high, this game should feature more than enough field goal attempts for Over to hit. Florida is also in the top 31% for fastest paces in the nation. Paired with UF’s 65.1 shots per competition (top 2%), pace shouldn’t be an issue in this matchup.

In addition, opponents log 9.3 threes (bottom 12% for defense) and 27.1 three-point attempts per game. game (bottom 9%) against the Tar Heels. Attempts across the board are up when they face North Carolina, but the Tar Heels giving up 40.6% shooting from three (bottom 39%) shows that this three-point defense is a legitimate concern.

UNC even commits 17.8 personal fouls per game. battle (bottom 42%). This should continue to fuel this Gators’ offense — which registers 20.4 free throw attempts per game. competition (top 35%). Florida Guards Walter Clayton Jr. (19.1 PPG) and Alijah Martin (15.2 PPG) could flourish against the Heels’ underwhelming defensive backcourt. RJ Davis (1.43 DBPR) and Seth Trimble (1.67 DBPR).

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What bets stand out to you across the nation tonight? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook’s latest college basketball odds to see the full menu of options.

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The above writer is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports bets on FanDuel. The advice given by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author’s advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports bets.