There is still time to make some picks for tonight’s action, however, the first lines are officially out for Saturday’s games. The headliner will be when Andrew Jones and Texas head on the road to play Purdue. In addition to that, there are a couple of Big 12 and Pac-12 teams in action on Saturday night. As always make sure that you get these ATS picks in early, as the lines do adjust very quickly and you don’t want to be on the wrong side of a line because you chose to get the line too early in the process.
Featured games
Iowa State at Oregon State
4:30 PM ET
Line: Oregon State -1
ATS Pick: Iowa State
Why? Yes, I get the idea that it is a long flight for Iowa State in order to get to Corvallis, however, I do think one thing to note is that the team is a little bit better on paper. I will lean with the Cyclones in this one because I think they have the best overall player on the court and will be able to slow Tres Tinkle down a little bit by throwing multiple defenders on him.
Texas at Purdue
7 PM ET on Fox Sports 1
Line: Purdue -7
ATS Pick: Texas
Why? I trust Texas a little bit more early in the season based on the fact that they know a little more about what to do offensively. I think Texas knows that they need to get the ball to their guards in order to make plays whereas I’m not sure Purdue knows just yet how to create on offense that efficiently to this point. I will note that this is one that I will lean with Purdue to win straight up just by way of playing in a tough road environment but 8 is a lot to ask for to win.
Oklahoma at Minnesota
8 PM ET on the Big Ten Network
Line: Oklahoma -4
ATS Pick: Oklahoma
Why? For starters, I don’t think Minnesota is all that good as they really just lack the overall scoring needed to win games. That is why I am heavily leaning towards an Oklahoma team with some really good guard play. De’Vion Harmon looked great in his first game at Oklahoma, while Jamal Bienemy and Austin Reaves can both create offense and are both experienced playmakers. This is one that I look at and think that the line probably should be closer to 6 but at 4 I am absolutely taking the Sooners.
Boise State at Oregon
11 PM ET on the Pac-12 Network
Line: Oregon -12
ATS Pick: Oregon
Why? I get that Oregon somewhat struggled with Fresno State and probably didn’t win by as much as they should have but I think that was more of first-game jitters than anything. I look for them to be a little sharper game two in a win against Boise State.
Other good bets
Georgia State at Charleston
2 PM ET
Line: Charleston -6
ATS Pick: Charleston
Why? Georgia State is going to regress a little bit with no Ron Hunter on the sidelines, then throw in the fact that they have to play at a Charleston team with one of the best mid-major players in the sport in Grant Riller, this is one that I am going all-in on Charleston to win comfortably.
Idaho at UC Riverside
5 PM ET
Line: UC Riverside -11.5
ATS Pick: UC Riverside
Why? Idaho is one of the worst Division 1 team’s in College Basketball, meanwhile UC Riverside just blew out Nebraska on the road. This one should be really to pick and will without question be a lopsided game.
UC Irvine at Pepperdine
8 PM ET
Line: Even
ATS Pick: UC Irvine
Why? I really just trust UC Irvine in this spot, on paper these teams are pretty even but I will not trust Lorenzo Romar to win a basketball game. I think the game will be close but UC Irvine wins a tight one.
Wednesday’s Results: 5-2
Year to date: 7-8