College basketball fans are in for an exciting Saturday with nearly 150 games scheduled, bringing a lot of action to bettors. Focusing on several key matchups, insights from the VSiN CBB Betting Splits, which are updated every five minutes from leading sportsbooks such as DraftKings and Circa Sports, reveal intriguing trends.
First, the matchup between George Mason and St. Bonaventure is noteworthy. George Mason (19-2) is on a hot streak, having won ten of their last eleven games and recently defeating Davidson 60-52 while covering as 6.5-point favorites. In contrast, St. Bonaventure (13-8) has shown resilience, winning two of their last three games, including an upset over Duquesne 87-79 as 3.5-point road underdogs.
Opening lines favored St. Bonaventure by 1.5 points, prompting questions about why a team with such a strong record would be positioned as an underdog against a lower-ranked team. Public sentiment heavily favors George Mason, with 85% of spread bets backing the Patriots. However, the line has remained steady in favor of St. Bonaventure, indicating a significant move from wise bettors despite the public’s preference. St. Bonaventure, capturing only 17% of spread bets, is highlighted as an appealing “bet against the public” play today, with a moneyline option at -115 worth considering.
In another matchup, Northwestern looks to build on their recent success against Washington. Northwestern (10-11) has won two of their last three, most recently dominating Penn State 94-73 as 7.5-point home favorites. Washington (11-10) has struggled, losing four out of five games, including a 75-66 setback against Illinois, though they did cover as 12.5-point road dogs.
Oddsmakers opened this game with Northwestern as 1.5-point favorites, and there’s been noticeable support from sharp bettors, pushing the Wildcats’ odds to -1.5 (-115). With 59% of spread bets and 81% of spread dollars leaning toward Northwestern, this reflects a strong action split favoring the Wildcats, who also enjoy a home-court advantage with a 7-5 record.
Finally, a highly-anticipated game features Gonzaga facing Saint Mary’s. Gonzaga (21-1) aims to solidify their position while looking to bounce back after a narrow win over San Francisco. This matchup opened with the Zags as 10.5-point favorites, and public confidence is clear, with a whopping 79% of spread bets on Gonzaga. Despite this, the line has shifted slightly to -9.5, indicating that respected bettors are placing their bets on Saint Mary’s instead. The Gaels (19-3), who recently outlasted Portland, are also seen as one of the top bets against the public, possessing superior stats in three-point shooting and free-throw efficiency.
As fans tune in for these competitive matchups, the contrasting betting trends and team performance metrics create an intriguing atmosphere that promises plenty of excitement and potential outcomes for both casual participants and seasoned bettors alike.