Media by Associated Press – Duke’s Dariq Whitehead (0) drives against Boston College’s DeMarr Langford Jr. (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Conference games have started in college basketball in most of the major conferences. There are still some big non-conference games to be played in December through the holidays, and a few of those are even this week.
On Tuesday, we have both non-conference and conference games to watch involving ranked teams. The Jimmy V Classic in New York brings with it a top-25 matchup as Texas plays Illinois and another Big Ten/ACC matchup as Duke faces Iowa. Meanwhile, undefeated Maryland travels to Wisconsin for a Big Ten showdown.
Let’s take a look at the best bets to make in college basketball on Tuesday.
Texas -3.0
The first game at the Jimmy V Classic in New York has No. 2 Texas -3.0 against No. 17 Illinois. Both teams have played a challenging schedule so far in 2022, with Texas (6-0) grabbing top 10 wins over Gonzaga and Creighton. The Illini (6-2) have wins against UCLA and Syracuse, and their two losses are to undefeated teams in Virginia and Maryland.
The Illini are 5-3 ATS this season, and Texas is 3-3. Illinois ranks 45th in the nation in scoring at 80.9 ppg, and their defense ranks 33rd at 60.5 ppg allowed. Texas ranks 51st offensively at 80.5 ppg, and the defense ranks ninth at 55.2 ppg.
Texas Tech transfer Terrance Shannon leads Illinois in scoring at 19.8 ppg and rebounding at 6.4 per game. Baylor transfer Dain Dainja is averaging 11.1 ppg and 6.1 rpg off the bench, while Coleman Hawkins is averaging 10.1 ppg and 6.0 rpg.
Texas has more experience and depth than the Illini, with five players averaging at least 8.2 ppg on the season. Tyrese Hunter is the leader at 16 ppg, while Marcus Carr is averaging 15.5 ppg to go with 4.2 apg.
The Longhorns’ defense can neutralize the Illini as they rank eighth in the nation allowing just 23.2% from 3-point range. The Illini got off to a horrible shooting start in their last two games, and if that happens again, Texas will cruise to the win and a cover.
Duke -3.0
The nightcap at the Jimmy V Classic features 8-2 Duke against unranked Iowa (6-1). The Blue Devils are -3.0, and they are 5-5 ATS so far this season. Both of Duke’s losses have been on neutral courts against Purdue and Kansas, while Iowa lost on a neutral floor to TCU.
Duke is averaging 72.2 ppg so far this season, while Iowa ranks ninth in the country at 86.4 ppg. The Duke defense ranks 21st nationally, allowing 58.7 ppg, while Iowa allows 68 ppg.
The key for Duke is slowing down Iowa’s Kris Murray, who is shooting 40.5% from 3-point range and averaging a 21.0 ppg/10.6 rpg double-double. Patrick McCaffrey helps out with 12.9 ppg for the Hawkeyes.
Duke is led by Kyle Filipowski at 15.2 ppg and 9.2 rpg. Jeremy Roach is second in scoring at 12.2 ppg, with Mark Mitchell at 9.5 ppg. The Blue Devils can use their defense and athleticism to beat Iowa and cover the spread on Tuesday.
Maryland +1.5
Maryland is not only undefeated overall, but they are also 7-1 ATS this season. They are underdogs on the road in Madison against a 6-2 Wisconsin team who is 2-1 at home.
The Badgers have played five straight games decided by five points or less, going 3-2 in that stretch. Maryland has only played one game decided by five or less this season, their 71-66 win over Illinois on Friday.
This game will be all about the pace. Maryland ranks 44th in the nation at 80.8 ppg, while Wisconsin ranks 306th at 66.4 ppg. The Badgers are 341st in FG% at 39.9, while Maryland ranks 34th at 49.3%. Both defenses allowed 60 ppg, and Maryland is slightly better on FG% defense at 39.2 to 40.8
Jahmir Young led Maryland with 24 points against Illinois, and it will be a tough matchup for the Badgers. Wisconsin has Tyler Wahl (14.5) and Chucky Hepburn (12.5) in double figures, but they are very reliant on the 3-point shot this season at 37.4%. Maryland ranks 14th in the nation defensively against the three, and guarding the perimeter can help them win and cover on Tuesday.
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