Free NCAA Basketball Picks, Best Bets, and Parlays for 2/16/22

There were tons of surprises last night as we head down the backstretch. There is so much parity and very few standouts in any conference. It’s a challenge to any bettor every single night and I am no exception.

The discouraging thing for me is the losing streak we are on with our Best Bets. I have learned my lesson with Michigan State, and added them to the list of teams I won’t bet on again. They only had to cover 2.5-points last night, against a mediocre Penn State team, and failed to do so. That lowered our Best Bet of the Day record to 33-25.

The MoneyLine betting was mediocre as well and we went 9-6. Our record now stands at 411-96 (81%) for 2022.

In the Dudes newest feature we went 4-4 betting the spread on games involving Top-25 teams, and we are 42-30 in a category where if you are on the plus side you are doing well.

We are back to a full Wednesday night schedule and a bunch of games involving Top-25 teams. That’s look at the matchups.

Make sure to check out all our NCAA Basketball FREE PICKS HERE

Papa Dudes Best Bet for College Basketball Today

Miami 18-7 (-2) at Louisville 11-13: This is a big game for Miami as they head into Kentucky to take on the Cardinals. The Hurricanes are in a pretty solid position to make the tournament but every win they can pick up is huge. Louisville has lost 9 out of their last 10 and the law of averages says they are going to win a game soon. I’m hoping it’s not tonight and Miami can eke out a cover on a very small point spread. PAPA DUDES BEST BET: Miami -2

GAMES INVOLVING TOP-25 TEAMS:

#7 Baylor 21-4 at #11 Texas Tech 19-6 (-1.5): The Bears are back to playing in championship form again after struggling for a couple of weeks. The problem in the Big 12 is there is another challenge just around the corner in every game you play. Up next is a visit to Lubbock to take on a very good Texas Tech basketball team. The Red Raiders are tough to beat and are as good a defensive team as there is. This is the game of the night and could go either way and wouldn’t surprise anyone, I’m staying with the home team. PAPA DUDES PICK: Texas Tech -1.5

Seton Hall 15-8 at #24 UConn 17-7 (-5.5): These Big East games are impossible to pick. The Huskies are playing consistently but so are the Pirates. Seton Hall is playing for their tournament lives and need a couple of big wins to seal the deal. Is this one of them? I think UConn wins but fails to cover. PAPA DUDES PICK: Seton Hall +5.5

#12 Illinois 18-6 (-4.5) at Rutgers 15-9: The Illini are the 4th straight ranked opponent for Rutgers to try and knock off. The Scarlet Knights have played their way into the mix for a tournament bid and are good enough to win this game. Illinois will have to bring their “A” game and play extremely well. PAPA DUDES PICK: Rutgers +4.5

#5 Purdue 22-4 (5.5) at Northwestern 12-11: The Boilermakers are definitely better than the Wildcats Northwestern has a way of playing teams tough. Rarely do they get blown out, and Purdue better not overlook them. I’m reluctantly taking the visitors. PAPA DUDES PICK: Purdue -5.5

Mississippi State 14-10 at #25 Alabama 16-9 (-5.5): Mississippi State is a solid team but they have had trouble winning in the touch SEC. Tonight they face an Alabama team who won two games last week and seem to be getting things back on track. The line is doable and I’m going with the home team. PAPA DUDES PICK: Alabama -5.5

Vanderbilt 11-11 at #3 Auburn 23-2 (-14): All we have to decide in this game is whether the spread is too high. Auburn should win the game but can they cover 14 points? Vanderbilt can be pesky sometimes but I think the Tigers cover this one late. PAPA DUDES PICK: Auburn -14

#1 Gonzaga 21-2 (-29.5) at Pepperdine 7-20: I just hate the spreads that Gonzaga has to cover in order to cash a bet on them. Everytime I think the line is too high. and I should go with the opponent to beat the gigantic spread. And everytime I lose. Tonight they have to beat a 7-win Pepperdine team by 30 on the road. Every bone in my body says, take Pepperdine. PAPA DUDES PICK: Gonzaga -29.5