Best Sports Betting Picks Today: College Basketball Predictions for February 22nd

There is a lot of great college basketball on the docket for Saturday; lots of exciting games and I want to include as many as I can on our list of best bets for the day. So, let’s not waste any time and get right to it.

The following bets are not guaranteed winners, but they do qualify as my ‘Best Bets for Saturday, February 22. 

Best Bets for Feb. 22: NCAAM

Tennessee vs. Texas A&M

The SEC is packed with great basketball teams this season, and No. 6 Tennessee (21-5, 8-5) and No. 7 Texas A&M (20-6, 9-4) are two of the best. Tennessee has one of the best defenses in the nation (No. 4); Texas A&M is No. 32 in the country but the second-best in the SEC to Tennessee.

Both are 4-1 in their last five games. Texas A&M lost to Mississippi State, and Tennessee lost to Kentucky. I’m leaning towards Tennessee winning outright, but I’m betting on both defenses playing well. Tipoff is at 12 p.m. ET.

Our Pick: UNDER 130.5 at -105 (DraftKings)

Iowa State vs. Houston

Right about the time Tennessee and Texas A&M wrap up, No. 8 Iowa State (21-5, 11-4) and No. Houston (22-4, 14-1) will get underway at 2 p.m. ET.

The dynamic here is an interesting one. Houston has the No. 1 defense in the land (57.6 points per game allowed). But their last six opponents all scored more. Iowa State has the fourth-best defense in the Big 12 (No. 51), but they also have the second-best offense (No. 29).

Houston will keep Iowa State’s offense in check, but their offense is not good enough to cover a 12.5-point spread against a good Cyclones defense.

Our Pick: same-game-parlay—Iowa State +12.5 at -110. UNDER 132.5 at -110, SGP Odds: +262 (FanDuel)

Georgia vs. Auburn

Hmmm…How will this game go between Georgia (16-10, 4-9) and the No. 1 team in the country, Auburn (24-2, 12-1)? If you focus in on the Bulldogs’ 2-8 run in their last 10 games, the answer seems clear—Auburn is going to destroy these guys. But will they cover?

Your gut is probably telling you ‘yes’ because the Bulldogs are struggling, and the Tigers are the No. 1 team in the nation. However, Auburn beat Georgia by just a basket earlier in the season (70-68 on Jan. 18). The Tigers have not been beating teams by big numbers lately.

Georgia beat just two of their last ten opponents by 17.5+ points. They’ll win this game easily but don’t count on them to cover (game time is 4 p.m. ET).

Our Pick: Georgia +17.5  at -110 (BetMGM)

Florida vs. LSU

LSU (14-12, 3-10) brought their seven-game losing streak to an end on Valentine’s Day and followed it up with another victory, this one vs. South Carolina. Starting today, they embark on a five-game gauntlet of terror. All five games are against ranked teams, three in the top ten—starting with No. 2 Florida (23-3, 10-3).

The Gators have been on a roll since their surprising loss to Tennessee on Feb. 1 (64-44). I just don’t see how LSU can keep up with them, even with support from a home crowd. Tipoff is at 6 p.m.ET.

Our Pick: Florida -10 at -110 (Caesars)

Duke vs. Illinois

No. 3 Duke bounced back from a recent loss to Clemson, 77-71, with a trio of dominant wins (by 21, 36,  and 18 points). Illinois comes into this game having lost two in a row and with a roster that is far from healthy. If the Fighting Illini were healthy and close to full strength, they might have a chance (the game starts at 8 p.m. ET).

Our Pick: Duke -9.5 at -110 (DraftKings)