College Basketball Picks & Best Bets: Friday, February 12

This could be a restful Friday for college basketball fans as only one ranked team, Illinois, is in action. But, if you want to stretch your couch muscles or need to take a long lunch there is a full day of action beginning at noon.

Here is a look at some games and values you don’t want to miss…

All odds in this article are via BetOnline Sportsbook.

Illinois vs Nebraska, Big Ten Network, 9:00 PM ET

Matchup: (No. 6) Illinois Fighting Illini (13-5 SU, 11-6-1 ATS) vs Nebraska Cornhuskers (4-11 SU, 5-9 ATS)

• Spread: Illinois -14.5 (-110), Nebraska +14.5 (-110)
• Total: Over 148 (-110), Under 148 (-110)
• Moneyline: Illinois -1158, Nebraska +668

Illinois is surging right now. I love the combination of Kofi Cockburn and Ayo Dosunmu, two players that give them advantages on every offensive possession. When this team is playing at its best, I think their best is better than others in the Big Ten. It has been maintaining consistency that has plagued the Illini.

They will not need to play their best game to win this one as Nebraska is definitely the worst team in the conference this season. They have no league wins and most nights are not competitive. This is a big number but the Illini has the depth to cover it.

Betting Advice: Take Illinois.

Georgia Tech vs Clemson, ACC Network, 8:00 PM ET

Matchup: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-7 SU, 7-9 ATS) vs Clemson Tigers (12-5 SU, 9-7-1 ATS)

• Spread: Georgia Tech +4.5 (-110), Clemson -4.5 (-110)
• Total: Over 130 (-110), Under 130 (-110)
• Moneyline: Georgia Tech +158, Clemson-190

Georgia Tech was just stifled at home in a loss to Virginia, now they are off to Clemson, another team that might hold them under 50 points. This is just a terrible spot and for some reason, it seems like Clemson and UVA have been back to back on a lot of schedules in the ACC this season. That can definitely mess with your confidence on offense.

After losing four of five, the Tigers have now won back to back games and appear to be straightening themselves out. They are not elite, but their defense is, and most nights that is enough. On a sleepy Friday, they have the Yellow Jackets right where they want them and don’t have to win by a lot to cash.

Betting Advice: Take Clemson (Best Bet).

St. Bonaventure vs VCU, ESPN2, 7:00 PM ET

Matchup: St. Bonaventure Bonnies (10-2 SU, 7-4-1 ATS) vs VCU Rams (14-4 SU, 10-8 ATS)

Spread: St. Bonaventure +3 (-115), VCU -3 (-105)
Total: Over 134.5 (-110), Under 134.5 (-110)
Moneyline: St. Bonaventure +129, VCU -155

The A-10 is really bunched up at the top right now. These two teams are at the of a group with just two league losses and Bonnies are a half-game up on the Rams making this a very important game. That also makes them a very pleasant surprise but it is easy to see why they are having success – they have five starters averaging 10 points per game or more.

For VCU, we have seen a return to them being one of the best defensive teams in the country while guard Nah’Shon Hyland has shown that he can maintain his efficiency at a much higher usage rate as a sophomore, he is third in the A10 in scoring. There is a lot to like about both sides here but I am going to give a slight edge to the home side.

Betting Advice: Take VCU.

Illinois-Chicago vs IUPUI, ESPN+, 12:00 PM ET

Matchup: Illinois-Chicago Flames (8-9 SU, 7-10 ATS) vs IUPUI Jaguars (5-8 SU, 6-7 ATS)

• Spread: Illinois-Chicago -2 (-1115), IUPUI +2 (-105)
• Total: Over 143.5 (-115), Under 143.5 (-105)
• Moneyline: Illinois-Chicago -135, IUPUI +112

It’s Friday so why not have lunch and enjoy some hoops, right? These are not the best teams in the Horizon League, but I am sure some of us will be watching this standalone game. UIC is favored even though they come into this one on a five-game losing streak. They were not favored in any of those games but have won the last three times they were.

The Horizon is using lots of back to back scheduling this season and IUPUI has taken the last two game ones (before losing game two) in those situations. I am not sure that is a reason to back the Jags but in a low-scoring game (both teams average under 70 points per game) getting a couple of points with the home side looks like the way to go.

Betting Advice: Take IUPUI.

Canisius vs Quinnipiac, ESPN3, 1:00 PM ET

Matchup: Canisius Golden Gryphons (3-3 SU, 3-3 ATS) vs Quinnipiac Bobcats (5-7 SU, 6-6 ATS)

• Spread: Canisius +4 (-105), Quinnipiac -4 (-115)
• Total: Over 130 (-110), Under 139 (-110)
• Moneyline: Canisius +154, Quinnipiac -185

Another early time slot game so I thought I would sneak it in. This one is MACtion and I applaud the low profile league for trying to grab some eyeballs when they can. Canisius was supposed to be the better team of these two coming into the season and might be a live dog here, except they have played in more than a month. The track record for teams with long layoffs is not great.

Quinnipiac has potential but top guard Tyrese Williams has really struggled this season. He was projected to lead the team in scoring but is shooting it terribly. This is going to be a low-scoring game which will give the Gryphons a shot even off the layoff.

Betting Advice: Take Canisius.