It’s a smaller, 25-game slate on Sunday, but we have two big-time ranked matchups on the card.
First, Florida hosts Alabama in an SEC showdown with huge implications. After that, Illinois travels to Lincoln to battle the 20-1 Cornhuskers, who look to bounce back after suffering their first loss earlier this week.
We have college basketball best bets and NCAAB predictions for both ranked matchups.
College Basketball Best Bets
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 1 p.m. | |
  | 4 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. | ||
Alabama vs. Florida Pick
By Jordan Mann
Alabama Basketball
Alabama is coming off a dominate 90-64 win against Missouri and now sit at 14-6 overall and 4-3 in the SEC.
This kind of matchup is why Nate Oats welcomed Charles Bediako back with open arms.
As funny as it's been watching James Nnaji have more fouls than points at Baylor, Bediako has made an immediate presence for the Crimson Tide, averaging 13.5 points in two games.
Bediako had two blocks and two steals against Tennessee and his defense will be relied on to slow down Florida's frontcourt.
Aiden Sherrell is someone I want to highlight.
He's found a rhythm recently, scoring in double figures in four out of the last five games, including 21 points and nine rebounds at Oklahoma. In the seven games prior, he scored in double figures one time.
At 6-foot-10, 255 pounds, he's reliable around the rim, shooting 70%. But what makes him a tough matchup is his ability to step outside and knock down a 3-point, which he's done in seven of the last eight games.
When it's all said and done, Alabama is a team that relies on 3s to win big games.
In the Tide's win against Missouri, they hit 15 3s, and in their loss to Tennessee, they only made six.
Florida Basketball
Florida has been one of the best teams in the country since the calendar flipped to January.
The Gators sit at 15-6 overall and 6-2 in the SEC and have won six out of their last seven.
Florida has the No. 1 offense and defense in SEC play, led by the play of its frontcourt on both ends.
Offensively, Rueben Chinyelu is averaging 15.8 points and 12.8 rebounds in the last six games.
Chinyelu is a dominant presence around the rim, but the underrated aspect of his game is his hook shot, shooting 26-of-42 (62%) on the season. That counters a player like Bediako's athleticism.
Alex Condon had a big time bounce back game against South Carolina, recording a near triple-double. Though his offense has been inconsistent at times this season, his defense hasn't been.
Condon has been Florida's best defender, holding opponents to 35-of-126 (27.8%) shooting on the season. He'll make things difficult for Alabama.
Alabama vs. Florida Betting Analysis
Florida is coming off a perfect "get right" game against South Carolina, where it was able to take out its frustration after losing to Auburn at home for the first time in 30 years.
Labaron Philon Jr. will get his, as he always does. But who steps up to help him? Aden Holloway has had quiet games this season and though Sherrell has played better, he did have six points and five fouls in 22 minutes against Tennessee's physical frontcourt.
Todd Golden has made it known that he's not a fan of Bediako being eligible, saying, "We're going to beat them anyways," and I agree.
Todd Golden wants to send a message and what better time to do that then on your home floor?
My Pick: Florida -7.5
Illinois vs. Nebraska Pick
By Sean Paul
Illinois Basketball
Illinois has been one of if not the hottest team in America over the last two months, winning 10 straight games, three of which came on the road.
The Fighting Illini boast the nation’s best offense, per KenPom. They're a high-volume shooting team, attempting 3s on 50.1% of their field goals while hitting 35% of them.
Don’t get it twisted, though. Illinois isn’t a “3-point or bust” team.
Even on the missed 3s, Illinois has a chance to keep the possession rolling thanks to its 39.9% offensive rebound rate. The duo of David Mirkovic and Tomislav Ivisic has been huge for Illinois in multiple ways. Mirkovic adds 12.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, but he also shoots 37% from deep.
It’s been an up-and-down year for Ivisic, but he can shoot it well from deep.
The Illini are also pretty solid defensively. They limit opponents to 46% shooting on 2s (33rd nationally) and 31% from deep (61st nationally). The best thing Illinois does is not make self-inflicted mistakes; it leads the country in KenPom’s FTA/FGA metric.
I did downgrade Illinois a bit when Kylan Boswell got hurt, but Keaton Wagler has swiftly alleviated my concerns. From a ball-handling standpoint, Wagler has taken the reins and done well.
Plus, he scored 46 points and 22 points in back-to-back wins over Purdue and Washington. Wagler is a strong shot-creator and a highly skilled pick-and-roll passer.
Nebraska Basketball
Nebraska finally took a loss this season in a tough road game against Michigan.
I have less trust in the Cornhuskers overcoming a tough shooting night than in Illinois. They attempt 3s 51% of the time and shoot 35% on them. The difference between Nebraska and Illinois is that the Cornhuskers don’t try to grab offensive boards. Due to all of their players looking to shoot, crashing the glass isn’t an option.
Nebraska has a trio of shooters who connect 38% of the time or more: Jamarques Lawrence, Pryce Sandfort and Sam Hoiberg. Plus, Rienk Mast is a super-skilled big man who can shoot it.
What the floor spacing creates is room to cut and everyone in Nebraska can pass. That leads to the Huskers shooting 60% from inside the arc.
The Huskers are stout defensively, ranking ninth in adjusted efficiency. Opponents shoot just 48% against their interior, but they hold teams to just 30% from deep.
I question how real their perimeter defense is. They allow opponents to shoot 3s 49% of the time, and teams make just 30% of those. You have to imagine some defensive regression looms for the Huskers.
Plus, I’m worried about how Mast fares against Illinois’s offense. He’s not the most fleet of foot and Illinois makes opponents move.
Illinois vs. Nebraska Betting Analysis
I’m rolling with the Illini on the road here.
Do I think Nebraska is a really good team? For sure. But I think it’s played above its weight so far.
Its ways of winning are very limited due to its lack of second-chance points.
That gives an extra nod to the Illini that I can’t see Nebraska overcoming.
My Pick: Illinois ML +110
