Free College Basketball Picks For Today, Tuesday 11/5/2024

Entering the last season, the team faced considerable expectations but ultimately fell short, finishing with an 11-21 record. In light of these difficulties, Rice formed a new coaching staff, appointing Rob Lanier in hopes of transforming the program. They took early action in the transfer portal, aiming for this approach to catalyze improvement. Kellan Amos, who excelled at Central Connecticut State, averaged 11.8 points and 5.2 rebounds. Furthermore, Trae Broadnax, a graduate transfer from USC Upstate, recorded an average of 14.2 points per game at his previous school and is expected to play a pivotal role this season.

The Pick:

The defensive capabilities of FIU were severely lacking last year, and while some improvements are anticipated this season, a complete resolution of their issues seems unlikely. On the other hand, Rice has significantly bolstered its roster with numerous transfers, which should lead to a marked improvement in its performance. This enhancement is expected to be the key differentiator, allowing Rice to secure an easy victory. Back Rice against the spread in this game.

Bethune-Cookman vs Texas Tech Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/5/24

Bethune-Cookman at Texas Tech at 8 PM ET

Last season, the Wildcats recorded a mediocre overall performance, finishing with a 17-17 record and an 11-7 mark in the SWAC, which placed them fifth in the conference standings. After suffering a loss to Grambling State in the conference tournament, they were eliminated by Arkansas State in their first game of the CBI. Head coach Reggie Theus, now entering his fourth year at Bethune-Cookman, is tasked with a considerable rebuilding process, as he will only have one starter returning. Seniors Seneca Willoughby (3.5 PPG) and Reggie Ward (9.6 PPG) are anticipated to play significant roles this season, along with a group of transfers who bring valuable Division I experience.

The Texas Tech basketball team finished the last season with a record of 23 wins and 11 losses, including an 11-7 mark in the demanding Big 12 Conference. They ended the season ranked behind Houston, Iowa State, and Baylor. In the NCAA Tournament, Texas Tech was eliminated in the First Round by NC State. Head coach Grant McCasland is set to begin his second season, with two starters returning from the previous year. Darrion Williams, who was the leading scorer last season, excelled with a 45.8 percent shooting rate from 3-point range. This season, Texas Tech is expected to showcase a number of capable shooters from long distance.

The Pick:

The Raiders are expected to excel in their long-range shooting capabilities this season, as they are equipped with a strong contingent of 3-point shooters. Alongside Williams, the team retains Chance McMillian, who has a 38.7 percent shooting accuracy from beyond the arc, and Kerwin Walton, who has an impressive 47.8 percent success rate. If the team can enhance their defensive consistency and develop additional depth, Texas Tech could make a significant impact this season. In contrast, Bethune-Cookman has a relatively talented roster, particularly for a team undergoing a major rebuild. The Wildcats will need to rely on transfers such as Daniel Rouzan from Weber State and Jesus Carralero Martin from Missouri to help them navigate a challenging early schedule, but they have a realistic chance of making progress this year. Go with Texas Tech.

New Orleans vs Kansas State Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/5/24

New Orleans at Kansas State at 8 PM ET

The New Orleans Privateers are determined to improve upon their lackluster 10-23 record from last season. They finished in 8th place in the Southland Conference with a 4-14 record. At home, the team posted a 7-6 record, but faced challenges against the spread, managing only a 2-7 record. Their performance on the road was particularly poor, with a 2-15 record, although they performed better against the spread with a 7-10 record. In total, the Privateers had a 10-17 record against the spread and a 17-10 record in over/under betting. Senior guard Jordan Johnson led the team with impressive averages of 21.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, while senior guard Khaleb Wilson-Rouge added an average of 10.1 points per game.

The Kansas State Wildcats wrapped up the last season with a total of 19 victories and 15 defeats, placing them 9th in the Big 12 Conference with an 8-10 record in conference play. They excelled at home, achieving a strong 15-3 record, although their performance against the spread was less impressive at 8-9. On the road, the Wildcats faced significant challenges, finishing with a 2-9 record, but they managed a 6-5 record against the spread in those contests. In total, the team recorded a 16-15 record against the spread and a 15-15-1 record in over/under betting. Leading the team was senior guard Tylor Perry, who averaged 15.3 points, 3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. Junior guard Camryn Carter contributed 14.6 points and 5 rebounds, while Arthur Kaluma followed closely with 14.4 points and a team-high of 7 rebounds.

The Pick:

This season, Kansas State is projected to hold a strong position at #53, while New Orleans is forecasted to be near the bottom at #352. Both teams had comparable offensive performances last year, but the inefficiency of New Orleans’ defense will play a crucial role in this contest. The Wildcats suffered only two defeats at home in their 18 games, and I expect them to begin the season with a commanding win. It is recommended to support the Kansas State Wildcats and lay the -28.5 points at home.

Evansville vs North Texas Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/5/24

Evansville at North Texas at 8 PM ET

In the previous season, Evansville secured 17 wins and is now entering its third year under Coach David Ragland. Chuck Bailey III returns to the lineup after averaging 8.4 points and 2.6 rebounds, while Tanner Cuff posted averages of 7.4 points and 2.3 assists. Furthermore, Joshua Hughes averaged 3.9 rebounds per game, and Cam Haffner participated in 560 minutes throughout the last season. The team faces the challenge of having lost its top three scorers and four of its five highest scorers from last year. Nevertheless, the remaining players in the rotation have shown commendable production, which is anticipated to contribute to effective team chemistry at the outset of the season.

North Texas finished last season with 19 wins and is now set to begin its second season under Coach Ross Hodge. Rondel Walker has returned, having averaged 3.8 points and 4.4 rebounds, while Moulaye Sissoko contributed with averages of 3 points and 4.6 rebounds. Matthew Stone played a total of 428 minutes last season, and Alex Cotton participated for 27 minutes. The team has lost its top six scorers from the previous year, which includes four players who averaged double-digit points. The roster has been enhanced by the addition of Brenen Lorient from Florida Atlantic, Grant Newell from Cal, and Brock Vice from Creighton.

The Pick:

The North Texas Mean Green may be regarded as the more talented squad on paper; however, the presence of many new players indicates that it may take some time for them to gel effectively. On the other hand, the Evansville Purple Aces bring back a number of role players, likely resulting in better team chemistry from the start. Although I am not rushing to endorse Evansville, the substantial loss of production for North Texas makes me wary of placing a bet on them with a double-digit spread. Therefore, I advise choosing Evansville.

Idaho State vs Arizona State Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/5/24

Idaho State at Arizona State at 9 PM ET

Last season, the Idaho State Bengals recorded a total of 14 victories and 20 defeats, placing them 7th in the Big Sky Conference with a 7-11 record in conference play. The team performed well at home, achieving an 8-5 record, but faced challenges against the spread, finishing at 3-8. On the road, their performance was significantly weaker, with a record of 4-13, although they managed a better showing against the spread at 8-9. In total, the Bengals ended the season with a 12-17 record against the spread and a 20-9 record in over/under betting. Senior forward Brayden Parker led the team with an average of 14.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, while junior guard Miguel Tomley added 14 points and 3 rebounds per game.

The Arizona State Sun Devils concluded the previous season with a record of 14 wins and 18 losses, securing the 9th position in the Pac-12 with a conference record of 8 wins and 12 losses. At home, Arizona State achieved a record of 10 wins and 5 losses, although they managed only 8 wins against the spread. On the road, their performance was less favorable, with a record of 3 wins and 8 losses, while they recorded 5 wins against the spread. Overall, the Sun Devils finished the season with a record of 14 wins and 17 losses against the spread and 16 wins and 15 losses in over/under betting. Junior guard Frankie Collins was the team’s leading scorer, averaging 13.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, while senior guard Jose Perez contributed with averages of 13.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.

The Pick:

The Sun Devils are forecasted to be a top-80 team this season, holding the #76 position, in contrast to Idaho State, which is projected at #313. Last season, the Bengals exhibited a stronger performance in both offense and defense compared to the Sun Devils. Moreover, Arizona State’s home record against the spread, which stands at 8-7, does not provide substantial confidence in backing them with the points. Given the considerable spread, I anticipate that Idaho State will keep the game relatively tight, leading me to opt for them to cover the +19.5.

Central Arkansas vs BYU Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/5/24

Central Arkansas at BYU at 9 PM ET

Central Arkansas has struggled in recent seasons, leading to a coaching change with the hiring of John Shulman. This marks the beginning of a rebuilding process, but Shulman is optimistic about restoring the team’s competitive edge in the near future. Heading into the next game, the team faces the setback of losing several important players from last year’s roster, notably Tucker Anderson, who averaged 14.5 points per game. However, the return of Elias Cato, who averaged 11.9 points per game last season, offers a glimmer of hope.

A new chapter has begun for BYU basketball with Kevin Young assuming the role of head coach, following Mark Pope’s departure to take the position at Kentucky. The positive aspect of this BYU squad is the significant talent returning from the previous season. Trevin Knell, who averaged 10.6 points per game last year, will be essential in making an impact this season. Additionally, BYU has actively engaged in the transfer portal, resulting in a team that boasts considerable depth. Keba Keita, who averaged 8.3 points per game last season, has joined the team through transfer.

The Pick:

Central Arkansas likely has the right individual at the helm of the program; however, this does not guarantee an easy path to success, particularly in the early stages. The BYU team boasts a wealth of talent from last year’s lineup, and they are poised to score with ease in this matchup. The Bears’ offense is lacking in playmakers, which may result in a challenging situation from the outset. It is recommended to place support behind BYU against the spread in this case.

UC Davis vs Washington Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/5/24

UC Davis at Washington at 10 PM ET

The previous season saw the UC Davis Aggies finish with a record of 20-13, including a 14-6 performance in the Big West, placing them third in the overall standings. The Aggies scored an average of 71.2 points per game while allowing 68.1 points to their opponents. They started conference play strongly but concluded their last eight regular season games with a 4-4 record. In the Big West tournament, they achieved a victory against Hawaii but were eliminated by Long Beach State. Although they have lost their leading scorer from last season, they will return their second-leading scorer, TY Johnson, who averaged 17.8 points per game.

The Washington Huskies concluded the previous season with a record of 17 wins and 15 losses, finishing sixth in the PAC-12 with a conference record of 9 wins and 11 losses. The team averaged 80.6 points per game while conceding 77.1 points per game. Throughout their last seven games in the PAC-12, Washington struggled to maintain a winning streak, alternating between victories and defeats, ultimately succumbing to USC in the tournament. The Huskies will need to compensate for the loss of their top four scorers from last season, who collectively contributed approximately 58 points per game. However, the acquisition of Great Osobor, a prominent player from the transfer portal who averaged 17.7 points per game at Utah State last season, offers a promising prospect for the team.

The Pick:

The Huskies are set to encounter a tough season, but Osobor will likely be a challenging player for opponents to contend with. UC Davis has brought back a significant level of production from last season’s successful 20-win team, which should allow them to remain competitive in this contest. I have reservations about Washington’s roster, and I expect that they will require time to develop synergy. Therefore, I suggest considering UC Davis with the points.

Cal Poly vs San Francisco Prediction College Basketball Picks 11/5/24

Cal Poly at San Francisco at 10 PM ET

The Cal Poly Mustangs are entering the new season following a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, concluding with a record of 4-28, including a winless 0-20 in Big West conference play. The program has decided to part ways with coach John Smith, appointing Mike DeGeorge as the new head coach. Although the Mustangs have lost several key players from the previous season, Jarred Hyder will return, having averaged 10.3 points and 2.5 assists per game last year. Additionally, fans can expect to see transfers such as Mac Riniker, Kieran Elliott, Owen Koonce, and Isaac Jessup, all of whom come from D-II Colorado Mesa, where DeGeorge previously led the team to significant success, including four consecutive appearances in the D-II tournament.

As the San Francisco Dons prepare for the 2024-25 season, they seek to capitalize on a solid 2023-24 campaign that saw them finish with an overall record of 23-11, including an 11-5 mark in West Coast Conference competition. The Dons successfully eliminated Portland in the quarterfinals but were ultimately bested by Gonzaga in the semifinals. Despite receiving an invitation to the NIT, their participation was brief, as they were ousted by Cincinnati in an overtime match. The team has experienced the departure of two key players, Jonathan Mogbo and Mike Sharavjamts, but has retained the services of Marcus Williams (14 PPG, 3.9 APG) and Malik Thomas (12.4 PPG) from last season. Furthermore, they have added 7-foot tall Carlton Linguard Jr. from UTSA to bolster their frontcourt.

The Pick:

I can see why San Francisco is considered the favorite; however, it is noteworthy that Cal Poly has brought in three starters from DeGeorge’s Colorado Mesa D-II team, where DeGeorge has been regarded as the D-II equivalent of Nate Oats. Last season, Mesa recorded an impressive average of over 85 points per game. I have faith that DeGeorge will be able to cultivate a new mindset within the Mustangs at the beginning of the season. Although San Francisco is the more formidable team, the point spread seems excessive, especially since Cal Poly has nothing to lose and San Francisco has a game against Boise State approaching. Thus, I will choose Cal Poly and the points.