Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions (11/14): Friday Night College Hoops Bets

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Can Donovan Dent lead UCLA to an upset victory against Gonzaga? UCLA Gonzaga Picks

Obviously there is plenty of attention on tomorrow’s college hoops slate, but tonight we still have plenty of NCAA Basketball games to bet on, and there are some interesting matchups, including a top 15 showdown out west. Let’s get right into our favorite picks and predictions for Friday’s college basketball betting board.

We have had a very successful CBB betting season so far, let’s keep it going.

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Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions November 14

Samford Bulldogs vs. Arkansas Razorbacks NCAA Basketball Picks

Darius Acuff Jr. is scoring 19.7 points per game while adding 3.3 boards and 4.7 assists - NCAA Basketball Picks

Darius Acuff Jr. is scoring 19.7 points per game while adding 3.3 boards and 4.7 assists

Best Bet: Samford/Arkansas Over 161 (-105) BetOnline

Get ready for some zip in this game. These two teams absolutely love to run, and I don’t think anything changes at Bud Walton Arena on Friday night. This Arkansas team is top 75 in terms of pace, but only saw 68 possessions in their loss to the Michigan State Spartans in East Lansing. But they were on the road. In their two home games against inferior opponents, the Razorbacks have seen 81 and 74 possessions, and the Bulldogs will have no problem keeping up with them.

Samford ranks No. 88 in pace, so they are still top 100. Plus, this team is phenomenal at taking care of the basketball and getting to the free throw line. In their last two games, Samford has shot 37 and 44 free throw attempts, but they don’t force many turnovers of their own. Arkansas should be able to do whatever they please offensively, which includes picking up the pace of the game and scoring at will.

While I’m not convinced they can cover the 26, I certainly see the Bulldogs doing their part in contributing to this total.

#5 Arizona Wildcats vs. #15 UCLA Bruins NCAA Basketball Picks

Koa Peat has solidified himself as one of the best freshmen in the entire country already this year - NCAA Basketball Picks

Koa Peat has solidified himself as one of the best freshmen in the entire country already this year

Best Bet: Arizona -2.5 (-110) BetOnline

Back the Wildcats in this spot. Check out my full thoughts on this matchup below, but here’s my elevator sell job.

We’ve got two teams that play opposite styles of basketball. Arizona is one of the fastest teams in the country, while UCLA is one of the slowest. While the home team controls the pace of the game, this is a neutral site contest (in Los Angeles). The Bruins are leaving Pauley Pavilion for the first time this year, and they’ve already struggled against weaker opponents, beating Eastern Washington by just six at home. Despite winning every game, the Bruins are 3-0 against the spread.

Now, Arizona has already played away from home and traveled this year, and they’ve proven they can keep up with anyone offensively, hence scoring 93 against Florida. But the defense has turned it on the past two games, allowing just 58 points per game while scoring 88.5 of their own. I see Arizona daring the Bruins to keep up with them in a speedy, up tempo contest, which I don’t think they are capable of doing.

Arizona averages 75 possessions per game, they rank No. 30 in pace in the country, and I see them adding a statement win to their resume tonight.

The Citadel Bulldogs vs. West Georgia Wolves NCAA Basketball Picks

Best Bet: The Citadel/West Georgia Under 151 (-110) BetOnline

BetOnline is giving us the best number on a total that is way too high. Wets Georgia ranks north of 200 in pace this year, while the Citadel are No. 322, ranking in the bottom 40. Neither team is good offensively, they both play slow, and I don’t see there being too many points.

Against Division 1 opponents, West Georgia has averaged just 57.5 points per game and less than 70 possessions per contest. For the Citadel, those numbers are 66.5 points and 69 possessions. This is just going to be a crapshoot of a college hoops matchup, and I’m not convinced either team will reach 70 points with the sheer pace and talent of these schools.

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