
CBB Weekend Preview + Best Bets – Summary
This episode of The Need for Seats College Basketball Podcast, hosted by Griffin Warner and Big East Ben, provides an in-depth preview of the upcoming college basketball weekend slate, including best bets and analysis. They discuss key matchups, trends, and betting angles, using team and player statistics to support their insights.
Game Analyses and Betting Insights
West Virginia vs. Houston (0:59 - 2:10)
- Big East Ben's bet: West Virginia against Houston.
- Outcome: A disastrous first half by West Virginia, showing no urgency.
- Key Moments:
- Javon Small slowly advancing the ball, resulting in poor shot clock usage.
- West Virginia started the second half strong with a 12-2 run.
- Missed free throws in crunch time, including two from Monty Hemsbury (84% FT shooter).
- Final score: Houston 63-49 (Houston covered).
- Analysis: A strong second-half surge wasn't enough due to early inefficiency and poor free throw shooting.
Florida vs. Tennessee (4:25 - 7:16)
- Betting Odds: Tennessee (-4), Total 143.
- Previous Matchup: Florida dominated 73-43 (Tennessee shot 1-for-23 from three).
- Trends:
- Tennessee 8-4 ATS at home.
- Florida 7-2 ATS on the road.
- Big East Ben's Pick: Under 143.
- Tennessee’s defense should limit Florida to ≤ 65 points.
- Florida isn’t a high-scoring team, making an under bet logical.
Gonzaga vs. St. Mary’s (8:36 - 11:11)
- Betting Odds: Gonzaga (-2), Total 146.5.
- Statistical Analysis:
- KenPom projection: St. Mary’s wins by 1 point.
- Torvik: Suggests 2.5-point spread.
- St. Mary’s streak: 9-game winning streak.
- Game Trends:
- St. Mary’s went on a 30-0 run against Santa Clara, displaying elite defense.
- Gonzaga has inconsistent performances, including losses to Oregon State and Santa Clara.
- Pick: St. Mary’s at home. Defense and tempo control favor them.
New Mexico vs. Utah State (12:53 - 15:10)
- Betting Odds: Utah State (-4), Total 158.
- Team Play Styles:
- New Mexico: 7th fastest tempo in NCAA, relies on transition offense.
- Utah State: 14th in effective FG%, but 107th in tempo.
- Utah State’s home court is highly underrated.
- Big East Ben’s Pick: Utah State -4.
- New Mexico’s inconsistency and poor half-court offense are liabilities.
Duke vs. North Carolina (15:14 - 19:06)
- Betting Odds: Duke (-13), Total 148.
- Historical Trends:
- UNC has won 3 of the last 4 at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium.
- UNC’s guard issues:
- Elliott Cadeau: 28% 3P.
- Seth Trimble: 30% 3P.
- RJ Davis: 30% 3P.
- Big East Ben’s Pick: UNC +13.5.
- Huge rivalry game spreads often lead to closer matchups.
- Griffin Warner’s Pick: Under 148.
- UNC’s offensive struggles could limit scoring.
Marquette vs. UConn (19:07 - 26:13)
- Betting Odds: Marquette (-6.5), Total 144.
- Team Trends:
- UConn: 2-8 ATS in Big East play.
- UConn without McNeely: 1-5 ATS.
- Marquette: Strong defensive backcourt with Chase Ross, Cam Jones, and Stevie Mitchell.
- Big East Ben’s Pick: Marquette blowout win.
- Predicts a first-half Dan Hurley ejection and a 15+ point Marquette win.
- Griffin Warner’s Pick: Over 144.
- UConn’s struggles on defense could lead to a high-scoring affair.
Best Bets of the Weekend
Big East Ben’s Pick: Wisconsin (-2) vs. Northwestern (29:44 - 31:17)
- Key Stats:
- Wisconsin: #1 in NCAA free throw shooting (85%).
- Northwestern: 251st in defensive free throw rate, fouls too much.
- Wisconsin: 7-2 ATS on the road.
- Bet: Wisconsin -2.
Griffin Warner’s Pick: Wake Forest (-2) vs. Pittsburgh (32:58 - 34:23)
- Analysis:
- Wake Forest has a strong home-court advantage.
- Pittsburgh’s recent win over UNC was aided by lucky late shots.
- Bet: Wake Forest -2.
Conclusion
This podcast provides strong betting angles using historical trends, ATS records, and in-depth matchup analysis. The hosts provide a mix of statistical insights and humor, making it both educational and entertaining.
Top Picks:
- Wisconsin -2 @ Northwestern
- Wake Forest -2 vs. Pittsburgh
- Marquette -6.5 vs. UConn (Blowout Prediction)
- St. Mary’s ML vs. Gonzaga
- Under 143 in Florida vs. Tennessee
Biggest Prediction: Marquette dominates UConn with a first-half Dan Hurley ejection!