College Basketball Picks

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?

Louisiana-Lafayette is facing off against their second top-10 team in as many games after being subjected to the wrath of the Tennessee Volunteers in their last outing. The do have a solid game to build on however. UL scored 120 points in their home opener and are making 11 3-point field goals per game, and their 18 ppg senior forward JaKeenan Gant is a legitimate problem for opposing teams. Is getting hot from beyond the arc the only way the Caguns can stay within 21 points? KC has his basketball prediction!

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!

While Georgia Tech lost plenty from last year’s team, Tennessee did not. Of the six players who averaged more than 20 minutes a game for the Volunteers last season, all six of them are back in orange this year. The leader of the Volunteers is junior forward Grant Williams, the SEC player of the year from 2017-18, but he’s hardly the only option Tennessee has. Can a loaded Vols team cover the 16 to beat the bookie?