After a massive Saturday slate, college basketball thins out a bit on Sunday.
However, there's still plenty of action, and that means some betting value can be found.
Read below for our college basketball picks, including backing this huge underdog, which highlights our three NCAAB best bets for Sunday, February 22.
College Basketball Best Bets
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 12 p.m. | |
  | 2 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. | ||
American vs. Lafayette
By Joshua Nunn
This line opened American -4.5 with a total set at 139.5. I'm going to be on the under.
Both of these teams have seen a reduction in tempo, and I would expect this game to be played to 65 possessions or so, similar to the first matchup played three weeks ago.
In that first matchup, the American defense did really well, limiting Lafayette to just 27 points in the first half. However, Andrew Phillips buried five 3-point shots and scored 23 points, a season-high, as the Leopards came back in the second half.
I'm not sure we get the hot shooting from him here, as he's made just five of his last 22 from deep.
American has slowed the pace in league play, and it's had back-to-back games of holding its opponent to 63 points or less. The Leopards are going to struggle to find open looks from 3-point range and could struggle with the pressure put on by the Eagles.
American forces more turnovers than anyone else in the Patriot League, but those turnovers don't often lead to fast-break opportunities on the other end.
I expect this to be a slower-paced, defensive-minded game between the second- and third-most-efficient defenses in the Patriot League. The Eagles have won recently because of their defense, and I think that game script plays out similarly in this game.
Pick: Under 141.5 (Play to 139)
Towson vs. Drexel
The market opened Towson as a -2.5 favorite with an over/under of 130.5. Yet, our Action PRO's underlying numbers show the spread is stretched.
The projection system opened the game at a much lower combined score than the current market line, too. That gap represents a bunch of angles — two on the side, one on the total — both rooted in the same observation: Towson’s offense is projected to be unusually limited against Drexel’s defense.
PRO’s projection favors Drexel by 2.5 points, while the market has Towson priced as the favorite.
The model signals a flip, so take Drexel to cover or win outright.
Pick: Drexel +2.5
Read more on this matchup from Alex:
UTSA vs. Tulsa
By Evan Abrams
This is a game between 5-21 UTSA and 21-6 Tulsa, so it's obvious as to why the Golden Hurricane are favored by nearly 23 points, especially at home.
However, it's time to back the Roadrunners in this spot, even though it seems scary to put trust into a five-win team that's 2-10 away from home this season.
Why should we back UTSA? Well, one of my Bet Labs featured systems on Sports Insights — "Off Good D and Dogs" — says this is the pick to make.
And it helps that the system has a 3% return on investment (ROI) since its inception and an 18% ROI this season alone (16-10-0 record).
In college basketball, underdogs coming off a strong defensive performance (allowed just 60 to FAU) often carry that intensity forward, especially during the grind of conference season.
These teams, despite having weaker records and poor performance against the spread, tend to play with higher effort and cohesion on the defensive end, which allows them to stay competitive against favored opponents.
Early and midseason months like November through February amplify this edge, as teams are still developing offensive rhythm while defensive execution remains more consistent.
When undervalued by the market, these underdogs leverage defensive momentum to slow pace, control tempo and cover inflated spreads, making them a profitable buy in these spots.
Pick: UTSA +22.5
