It's the first Saturday of the college basketball season, and although the slate is light, an absolute must-watch matchup headlines the action.
Leading off my college basketball against-the-spread picks for today's 10 best games is Nebraska's showdown with Providence, as the Friars look to make noise in Bryan Hodgson's first season leading the program.
My college basketball picks also look at a few high-profile mid-major teams that could make noise in March as Cinderellas.
College basketball against the spread picks: Nov. 7
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| Matchup | Pick |
|---|---|
 Nebraska Providence |
-2.5 53% |
 Maryland Georgetown |
+3.5 54% |
 VCU Memphis |
+2.5 51% |
 Colorado San Diego State |
+3.5 50% |
 New Mexico State Gonzaga |
+30.5 53% |
 Northern Iowa Furman |
-3.5 57% |
 San Jose State UC Irvine |
-7.5 52% |
 Toledo Marshall |
+2.5 50% |
 Washington State High Point |
-11.5 53% |
 UNC Wilmington East Carolina |
-4.5 50% |
Percentages courtesy of Polymarket, one of our best prediction market apps.
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Expert college basketball ATS picks: Nov. 7
Nebraska (-2.5) vs Providence: Nebraska -2.5
Bryan Hodgson has completely rebuilt this Providence roster, but the Friars aren't ready to tangle with a Nebraska program coming off its best season ever. The Cornhuskers have a superstar scorer in Pryce Sandfort, who had Nebraska's offense ranked 28th in eFG% last season (55.5%).
But it's Nebraska's defense that's the reason why I like Fred Hoiberg's team to cover up to -5.5 in this neutral-site matchup. Nebraska was eighth nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency last season (93.0), and Providence doesn't have the offensive talent to push the Cornhuskers around.
Maryland (-3.5) vs Georgetown: Georgetown +3.5
In Buzz Williams' first season leading Maryland last year, the Terrapins collapsed down the stretch and closed out the regular season by going 4-14 straight-up and 8-10 ATS. Georgetown has the continuity to keep pace and cover +2.5 or better at home.
Look for the Hoyas' inside-outside combo of Vince Iwuchukwu and Jalalnd Lowe to cause problems for a Terps defense that ranked 312th in eFG% allowed last season (54.4%).
VCU (-2.5) vs Memphis: Memphis +2.5
Memphis has already made some serious noise this season with Penny Hardaway's program upsetting Iowa State in its season opener. While I'm not expecting another outright win, I like the Tigers to cover +2.5 or better at home.
VCU shot just 38% from the floor against Little Rock in its opener, and this Memphis team has an absolute spark plug in guard Jayden Reid. Memphis had a stubborn defense last year that ranked 55th in eFG% allowed (48.8%), so the Rams' shooting might struggle again.
Colorado vs San Diego State (-3.5): Colorado +3.5
Tad Boyle vs. Brian Dutcher? Sign me up for a game that should come down to the wire with Colorado's offense and San Diego State's defense. The Buffaloes can cover up to +2.5 with their talent and length at guard.
Colorado put up a 69% eFG% in its opener while shooting 52.6% from behind the arc, and San Diego State no longer has Miles Byrd to spearhead its defense. He's now playing for Hodgson at Providence.
New Mexico State vs Gonzaga (-30.5): New Mexico State +30.5
Gonzaga's season-opening win against Purdue looked good in the moment... not so much now after the Boilermakers were upset last night by Valparaiso at the buzzer. While the Bulldogs should have no issue winning by 20+, this spread is too large for my taste, and I like New Mexico State at +25.5 or better.
New Mexico State held opponents to a 48.7% eFG% last season, 51st-best in the country. Watch for DJ Dudley to carry the Aggies' offense.
Northern Iowa vs Furman (-3.5): Furman -3.5
This is a big-time mid-major clash, but remember, Ben Jacobson is no longer leading Northern Iowa. Jacobson left for Utah State after 20 years leading the Panthers. With Kyle Green coaching just his second D1 game, I like Furman to cover -4.5 or better at home.
Bob Richey has turned the Paladins into a SoCon power, and he has big man Charles Johnston to lean on. Johnston helped Furman rank 43rd last season in eFG% (54.8%).
San Jose State vs UC Irvine (-7.5): UC Irvine -7.5
If you tune into this game, you will see something you've never seen before: the only Canadian who's bigger than Zach Edey. UC Irvine brought in 7-foot-9 big Olivier Rioux from Florida, and he was monstrous in the paint in the Anteaters' opener with 13 points and 12 rebounds. With Rioux down low and several talented guards, UC Irvine can cover up to -8.5.
San Jose State was 255 in eFG% last season (49.7%), and now they have to shoot over Rioux, who's essentially a kaiju.
Toledo vs Marshall (-2.5): Toledo +2.5
Toledo had one of the best offenses at the mid-major level last season, ranking 89th in adjusted offensive efficiency (114.5) and 51st in eFG% (54.5%). Against a Marshall defense that was 297th in adjusted efficiency last season, I would consider taking Toledo to win outright.
Washington State vs High Point (-11.5): High Point -11.5
High Point is a wagon with Flynn Clayman in charge. After winning an NCAA Tournament game last season, the Panthers could push even further this season with Cam'Ron Fletcher back. With Washington State's defense ranking 248th in eFG% allowed last season (52.6%), I like High Point to cover up to -12.5.
UNC Wilmington (-4.5) vs East Carolina: UNC Wilmington -4.5
East Carolina was 13-17 ATS last season and already failed to cover in its opener. UNC Wilmington has been one of the best mid-majors under Takayo Siddle, and his Seahawks can cover up to -6.5. Last season, UNC Wilmington allowed just a 47.5% eFG%.
Today's college basketball ATS combo
Nebraska -2.5
Georgetown +3.5
Memphis +2.5
These are the three biggest games today, and I love Nebraska and Memphis to cover with how strong the Cornhuskers were last season and how hot the Tigers came out against Iowa State. Georgetown is in good shape too, with Maryland being so shaky last season and the Hoyas having one of the Big East's most underrated duos in Iwuchukwu and Lowe.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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