Friday College Basketball Best Bets Reveal Exciting Parlay Picks

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — This Friday promises an exciting slate of college basketball games, highlighted by a clash between blue-chip programs UCLA and Indiana. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET. The matchup is particularly compelling as Indiana enters the game as a slight underdog, a result of their storied rivalry with UCLA, which has recently been reignited after a long hiatus since their last encounter in 2007.

SportsLine has leveraged its proven simulation model, which runs each game through a rigorous 10,000 simulations, to unveil its top betting picks. With the entire focus on college basketball this Friday due to the NBA’s All-Star break, bettors may find lucrative opportunities in a parlay that potentially yields nearly 6-1 payouts.

Additionally, the model reports a successful track record this season, currently standing at 211 wins to 154 losses since the start of the 2023 season, with a solid gain of $2024 on top-rated picks. Following these insights could lead to significant returns for bettors.

The first pick showcased is the Over on the total points for the game between Loyola Chicago and Saint Louis. Both teams recently delivered high-scoring performances in their last outings, with their previous nine meetings averaging 146.1 total points. With Saint Louis boasting three leading scorers, Gibson Jimerson, Robbie Avila, and Isaiah Swope, all ranked among the top nine in the Atlantic 10 Conference, and Loyola Chicago’s defense ranking poorly against scoring, the model projects a final score of Loyola Chicago 74, Saint Louis 71.

The second pick focuses on Indiana’s Omar Ballo, a notable player since transferring from Arizona. Ballo has excelled against UCLA, consistently scoring over 12.5 points in three of his last matchups against the Bruins not held at Pauley Pavilion. The model anticipates he will score approximately 13.5 points on Friday, making the Over 12.5 points a strong bet.

Lastly, the model highlights San Jose State as a top betting choice, currently boasting an impressive 18-5-1 record against the spread. The Spartans have proven particularly effective at home and as underdogs. They are set to take on Nevada, who has struggled against the spread recently, covering just four of their last 13 games. The model sees San Jose State covering +7.5 in this matchup.

As the college basketball season progresses, fans and bettors alike will be watching closely, particularly for the high-stakes action this Friday that features compelling matchups and opportunities for strategic betting.