While the anticipation for this Sunday’s Super Bowl continues to build, NCAAB sports betting fans understand there is one more stop before the big game, with college basketball Saturday offering a promising lineup of games once again. 21 of the top-25 teams in the country will be in action on Saturday, including three matchups featuring nationally ranked teams, with the Kentucky Wildcats owning the spotlight at No. 1.(1) Kentucky Wildcats @ South Carolina Gamecocks
Saturday, 6:00 PM ET
The Wildcats will look to continue their assault on the SEC with a trip to South Carolina, where they will undoubtedly be favored once again by the pay head bookies. After a tough one-point loss at Indiana, Kentucky has won 14 straight games including a perfect eight conference-wins, and has an excellent chance to extend that run against the team with the worst record in the SEC. The Gamecocks have lost four of their five games in SEC competition, including a 79-64 blowout loss in their first meeting with Kentucky, and barely scraped past the Alabama Crimson Tide 56-54 in their only win at home. The Wildcats’ tandem of Anthony Daivs and star freshman Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has been among the best in the country, and until they face some stiffer competition it is unlikely they will slow down in the SEC.
College Basketball Betting Pick: Kentucky Wildcats
(2) Syracuse Orange @ St. John’s Red Storm
Saturday, 12:00 PM ET
It is almost unfair to Syracuse that the minute they finally lost a game they were pushed down to No. 2, especially considering that the Big East is so much better than the SEC, and that the Orange has played much tougher contests. Syracuse didn’t cover the Betonline spread at West Virginia in a two-point win last Sunday, but the time off should help head coach Jim Boeheim to rally his troops and get them focused. St. John’s has lost four of it’s last five against SEC competition and has lost all eight games against nationally ranked opponents, so look for Syracuse to bounce back with a big win.
College Basketball Betting Pick: Syracuse Orange
(6) North Carolina Tar Heels @ Maryland Terapins
Saturday, 4:00 PM ET
The Tar Heels have bounced back with four straight wins following that surprising blowout loss at Florida State, and will look to avoid the same fate they faced against the Seminoles when they travel to play Maryland on Saturday. North Carolina has a ton of talent, which is illustrated in that it ranks first in the country in points per game and rebounds per game, and fourth in assists per game. Being at or near the top of the country in all three of those categories is an impressive accomplishment, but consistency will be the key for the Tar Heels as they continue to shoot for No. 1 the day before the biggest game of the NFL season.
College Basketball Betting Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels
