Friday was the marquee day for this week in college basketball, but we still have a plethora of games on Saturday to co-exist with college football.
In fact, our staff has found plenty of betting value for Saturday.
So, here's college basketball best bets, including odds, picks and predictions for Saturday's games, featuring Santa Clara vs. Nevada.
College Basketball Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our college basketball betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 12 p.m. | |
  | 4 p.m. | |
  | 10 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Wake Forest vs. Xavier
By John Feltman
Both teams are undefeated but have yet to be tested. This will be the first challenge for either squad this season.
Xavier head coach Sean Miller is trying to rebound after a disappointing 2023-2024 season. Still, there is a lot of buzz around the program due to some transfer portal additions and the return of star forward Zach Freemantle.
Meanwhile, Steve Forbes' Wake Forest team is looking to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017. The Demon Deacons have a trio of starters returning and added Appalachian State transfer forward Tre'Von Spillers.
The Deacons have a loaded starting lineup filled with experience, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see them be a dark horse in the ACC. Guards Cameron Hildreth and Hunter Sallis highlight the backcourt and big man Efton Reid III patrols the frontcourt.
I am happy to grab the points with the Deacons. This isn't the easiest road environment to play in, but I think both teams are due for opposite regression.
KenPom projects Xavier as a six-point home favorite, which is far too many points.
I'll look to take the Deacons at +4.5 or better.
Pick: Wake Forest +5.5 (Play to +4.5)
Colorado State vs. Ole Miss
By Sean Paul
Greetings from Southaven, MS, where the Ole Miss Rebels host the Colorado State Dams on a “neutral” court.
I’m not buying the neutral label here, though. Sure it’s not in Oxford, but it’s close enough for Ole Miss fans to pack the arena and make this a pro-Rebel crowd.
I know it hasn’t been a picture perfect start for Ole Miss — narrowly beating Grambling State and South Alabama — but 61st in KenPom is a bit crazy. I can’t get behind that.
Matthew Murrell is day-to-day, but I like Ole Miss regardless — good thing the Rebels have strong wing depth.
Chris Beard is a defensive coach. That will never change, and the toughness of the Rebels could overwhelm a Colorado State offense that doesn’t have much beyond Nique Clifford and Jalen Lake.
Very few teams have the proper personnel to limit Clifford, but Dre Davis is a defensive menace built to slow down hyper-athletic wings like Clifford.
I still have worries about Ole Miss’ offense — since Sean Pedulla is the lone trustworthy scorer — but I’m fading Colorado State’s offense. The Rams rank 119th in offensive efficiency and shoot just 27% from 3 this year.
Buy into the Rebels' defense, as the unit will keep this low-scoring game in its favor.
Pick: Ole Miss -3.5 (Play to -5.5)
Santa Clara vs. Nevada
Yes, I know Santa Clara has been disappointing since its victory over Saint Louis, losing to Arizona State by seven and North Dakota State by eight.
And honestly, if Robbie Avila was fully healthy for the opener, maybe the Broncos don't pull out that victory at the Sanford Pentagon.
But I'll tell you this: Santa Clara still has a darn good, deep roster with a solid head coach. The Broncos still have Adama-Alpha Bal, who is averaging 17.7 points per game, and Elijah Mahi has been a pleasant surprise, putting up 15 points in 21 minutes per night.
If the Broncos can get Carlos Stewart Jr. on track and clean up their defense, this is still one of the top challengers to Gonzaga in the WCC.
The Broncos need to get going now, though, if they want to have a chance at an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. They don't get many quality chances on their schedule, and a win in Reno would certainly be a step in the right direction.
As for Nevada, it lost its top two scorers from last season, but it still has a solid bunch, led by Kobe Sanders, Nick Davidson and Tre Coleman.
The Wolf Pack haven't really been tested, though; yes, they played Washington, but the Huskies are in complete flux right now. On the flip side, the Broncos have the benefit of playing two big games against quality teams already.
I don't know if the Broncos win this one, but I think this spread is an overreaction to the North Dakota State game, even on the road.
Pick: Santa Clara +7.5 (Play to +6)
