Dan Jamison

The X-Factor is the 3-point arc. Any time Nebraska is involved, the arc is critical because of how well the Cornhuskers defend it and how many 3-pointers they take. Nebraska’s 3-point defense is second in the nation, holding opponents to just over 20 percent from deep. However, the Huskers are also taking more 3-pointers than they have in past years under Miles, and they aren’t doing a great job of sinking them. Just nine of Nebraska’s past 43 shots from deep have dropped, which took the Huskers out of the game in a loss to Texas Tech and allowed Western Illinois to hang around longer than it should have. Is this the game Nebraska gets some to drop?

The Seminoles take care of the basketball and get the job done on the glass. Florida State grabbed 22 offensive rebounds in its win over LSU, which kept possessions alive and lifted the Seminoles into the championship game. Given Villanova’s tendency to shoot the 3-pointer, this could be a similar kind of game. If Florida State does its job on defense and forces Villanova into less than ideal looks from deep, that means that there will be a lot of rebounds to grab, which favors the Seminoles and their size. Can FSU rebound its way to a -2 cover vs. the defending champs?

DePaul has been a basketball graveyard for the past two decades, but there is some reason for optimism here. The Blue Demons weren’t threatened in either of their first two games and managed to outlast an average Penn State squad in overtime. With a good shooter like Strus in the lineup, they’re a step closer to finally solving the offensive woes that have plagued them for so long. Can DePaul push the undefeated season to 4 or at least keep it within 5 points for underdog backers?

North Carolina looks like it usually does at the start of a season… long on talent and great coaching, which has consistently made it one of college basketball’s blue-blood programs. It wasn’t afraid to play Wofford and Elon on the road, and it has shown more than just bravery, as it hasn’t been held below 90 by anyone besides Wofford. Texas averages 77 points per game so how do the Longhorns close that gap? DJ breaks down this match up.

To hear coach Bill Self tell it, the Jayhawks are a mess right now. Obviously, Kansas is far from a mess after winning its first three games, but since a convincing win over Michigan State on opening night, Kansas simply hasn’t been Kansas yet. The Jayhawks have had two wins over Vermont and Louisiana-Lafayette in Lawrence that were a lot closer than they should have been, mainly because they’ve been all offense and no defense to this point. Will this be the game they get it together and lock down Marquette? Sportsbooks have the market set at Kansas -8.5.

What’s helped Georgia so far is its depth. In their first three games this year, the Bulldogs got at least 25 points out of their bench players, which goes a long way toward making up the difference when a star isn’t scoring. Rayshaun Hammonds did most of the scoring against Illinois State, torching the Redbirds for 31 points Monday, but that’s an outlier among Georgia’s first four games. What’s more likely to happen is that Georgia will spread the scoring around and get contributions from all over the court. DJ breaks down the match up and gives his basketball pick.

Kentucky might have looked poor against Duke, but that’s because the Blue Devils are playing on another level from just about everyone else so far. Kentucky has since gotten back on track and looks like it’s going to be a force in the SEC yet again. The earliest parts of the season are usually the best time to bet against the Wildcats as Calipari tries to figure out which pieces go where with his freshmen, but that’s reserved for when Kentucky faces better opponents than this VMI squad. VMI lost by 39 to Pitt. Does that mean betting your bookie -33?

2018-19 Gonzaga presents problems for opponents, hence the -16 point spread at most betting site. Guard Josh Perkins and forwards Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke provide the experience that forms Gonzaga’s foundation. All are experienced players who can score in bunches, with Perkins an outside shooter compared to Clarke and Hachimura’s ability to go inside. What makes Gonzaga so effective is that teams can’t take away only one weapon to beat them because of their depth. They can’t be rattled because of their experience. Can they win by 17? DJ has his prediction.

This is a rematch of last year’s national championship game in name only. Both teams lost a lot from last year’s squads, and both are still trying to establish their identities for 2018-19. Villanova seems to be much further along in the process than Michigan. The Wildcats get contributions from all over the court and they can play solid defense. Throw in the talent of two key leaders, and Villanova looks like it’s going to be a threat throughout the season. But are they enough now to cover the bookie’s line of -7? DJ has your college hoops pick!