Free NCAA College Basketball Picks, Best Bets, and Parlays For 2/24/22

Our hot streak continued for another night thanks to the Providence Friars. It took three overtimes and three and a half hours but they finally closed out a hard-luck Xavier team 99-92. That cashed our Best Bet and a very profitable parlay.

The Providence victory raised our Best Bet of the Day record to 41-26 since January 1st.

We went a perfect 15-0 betting the MoneyLine. Our record now stands at 509-112 (82%) for 2022.

There were 7 games involving Top-25 teams. We went 7-0 picking winners, and were a respectable 5-2 betting the spread. Our record stands at 70-52 in a category that is very difficult.

Finally, we hit a f for the second night in a row and made $130 on a $15 wager.

There are more great games tonight and 7 that feature Top-25 teams. Let’s keep the ball rolling in the right direction and try not to get too cocky.

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

Papa Dudes Best Bet for College Basketball Today

Arizona State 10-16 at Colorado 18-9 (-5.5): I didn’t find anything I liked tonight as a Best Bet, but I settled on this one. The Buffaloes are tough at home and they are playing well. Arizona State played Monday and lost at UCLA 66-52. If Colorado is ready to play they should cover this relatively small spread. PAPA DUDES BEST BET: Colorado -5.5

GAMES INVOLVING TOP-25 TEAMS:

#1 Gonzaga 23-2 (-9.5) at San Francisco 22-7: For the first time that I can remember, Gonzaga is a single-digit favorite in a WCC game. They go into San Francisco on cruise control and haven’t had much trouble winning. The Dons are good and they still have a slim chance at the tournament. A win over the #1 team in the country would certainly help. I can’t see it happening. PAPA DUDES PICK: Gonzaga -9.5

#22 Ohio State 17-7 at #15 Illinois 19-7 (-6): Are there any easy games tonight? I don’t think Ohio State deserves to be ranked, but every time I say that they come out with a good game. I like Illinois and their consistency and I like that they are at home. I wish the spread was lower. In this conference 6 points is a lot to cover, but I can’t back the Buckeyes. PAPA DUDES PICK: Illinois -6

Belmont 24-5 at #19 Murray State 26-2 (-3): To me, this is the game of the night and it is on ESPNU and that’s where I will be tuned in. This is a critical game for both teams and they both have legitimate NCAA tournament aspirations. Belmont, with a win, could play their way into a possible at-large bid if they fail to win the conference tournament. And, Murray State will clinch an at-large with a win here. Both teams are very good and not much separates either one of them. When in doubt, go with the home team, but don’t be surprised if Belmont wins this one. PAPA DUDES PICK: Murray State -3

#12 UCLA 20-5 (-3) at Oregon 17-10: This one is a toughie. I can make a good case for either team. I can’t figure Oregon out. They are either very good or very bad. A few weeks ago they went to LA, and knocked off both highly-ranked UCLA and USC. Then they turn around and lose home games to Colorado and California. It’s hard for me to back a team that is so inconsistent. The Ducks are on the bubble, and these two games against the Bruins and USC, can get them into the tournament. UCLA has been playing well of late and they are the better and more reliable team. I think I can find better games to bet than this one. PAPA DUDES PICK: UCLA -3.

#23 St.Mary’s 22-6 (-12) at San Diego: I have to pick against the spread somewhere on these West coast games and I’m going with this one. The last time St.Mary’s cracked the Top-25, they promptly lost their next game. I don’t think they lose tonight but 12 seems a bit much to me. PAPA DUDES PICK: San Diego +12

#2 Arizona 24-2 (-11) at Utah 11-16: This is another mid week game that can be hard to decipher sometimes. Arizona is clearly better and the spread is fair. But, it is a road game, it is late in the season, and a high seed in the upcoming tournament awaits them. Will they overlook an improving Utah team that has won two is a row and has nothing to lose in this one? I’m sticking with the Wildcats, but not betting a nickel. PAPA DUDES PICK: Arizona -11

#16 USC 23-4 (-10) at Oregon State 3-22: Not much to discuss about in this one. But, USC has a way of letting bad teams hang around against them when they shouldn’t. I can’t see them being motivated much and this game will probably be ugly. Wouldn’t surprise me one bit if I miss this one. PAPA DUDES PICK: USC -10

3-TEAM PARLAY:

Just taking a shot on this one. Don’t bet the car payment.

LEG 1: Belmont at Murray State (-3): Bet the MoneyLine on Murray State -160

LEG 2: UCLA (-3) at Oregon: Bet the MoneyLine on UCLA -150

LEG 3: Portland at Pacific (-1.5): Bet the MoneyLine on Portland +105