An action-packed college basketball Wednesday slate is as good as it gets during the regular season. With no shortage of compelling matchups, there are plenty of markets worth attacking tonight.
Here are a few Wednesday plays we’re backing with our own money.
Texas vs. Kentucky – Over
Mark Pope’s second year in Lexington hasn’t gone the way many expected. But their offense has turned it on in their last three conference games, averaging 82.3 points. The Wildcats are coming off their biggest win of the season, rallying from a 17-point deficit to beat Tennessee in Knoxville. Texas has had some success scoring this year, but they’ve really struggled on the defensive end. The Longhorns rank 100th in defensive rating per KenPom, which ranks second to last in the SEC.
Northwestern vs. USC – Northwestern to Cover
Northwestern has gotten off to the worst start they could’ve imagined. The Wildcats are 0-7 in conference play and 0-7 ATS. One of the only things working for them is Nick Martinelli, as he’s the second leading scorer in the country with 23.7 points per game. This feels like a spot where he can will this Wildcats team to a road victory. USC hasn’t been the same team since Rodney Rice went down with a season-ending injury at Maui, and there’s not enough consistency from the top scorers on this team. Things haven’t been special for them at home, either, as two of their four conference losses have come at the Galen Center.
Memphis vs. Tulsa – Memphis to Cover
One of the biggest surprises in the first half of the college basketball season was Tulsa’s red-hot start. Few expected the Golden Hurricane to be this good, especially after being picked eighth in the AAC preseason coaches poll. But they’ve cooled down, and we’ve seen some regression of late. Memphis has had quality talent every year Penny Hardaway has been there, but his teams just haven’t gelled together. Nonconference play wasn’t friendly to them as they went 5-4, but they’ve turned things up since, winning four of five conference games.
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