The college basketball slate isn’t massive tonight. Regardless, our AI Model still found some insane value for us to curate our college basketball computer picks for March 1.
We’ll break down the NCAAB odds so you can tail the picks you agree with at our top-rated sportsbooks!
Picks Summary
- Cornell -4 (-110)Â
- Dayton -1 (-110)Â
- Fresno State/Nevada Over 137 (-110)Â
*All Odds available at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Cornell Big Red vs. Pennsylvania Quakers
Friday, March 01, 2024 – 08:00 PM ET at The Palestra
Our AI Model suggests Cornell will add an 82-76 win over UPenn as a 4-point favorite. That gives us a two-point cushion at Bet365.
Inside the Arc
UPenn will have no answers for Cornell inside the arc.
The Cornell Big Red currently leads the nation in two-point field goal percentage, draining 62% of shots inside the arc this season. Meanwhile, UPenn has allowed teams to shoot 53.6% from inside the arc. This is a terrible matchup for UPenn, even at home.
UPenn doesn’t earn many turnovers and has allowed opponents to also hit 35.4% from three. The Quakers are active on the defensive glass and don’t foul much. Still, it won’t matter when Cornell gets the easiest looks around the rim tonight.
Spread Spectrum
On offense, the Quakers have shot 35% from deep and just 49.6% from inside the arc. They’ve struggled from the foul line and ultimately don’t get there often either. UPenn should have success on the offensive glass and might get some good looks around the rim.
However, we’re talking about a four-point spread. Cornell will shoot much more consistently than UPenn in this Ivy League matchup. I’m rolling with the AI Model and backing Cornell on the road as the favorite.
NCAAB Pick: Cornell -4 (-110) at Bet365
Dayton Flyers vs. Loyola-Chicago Ramblers
Friday, March 01, 2024 – 09:00 PM ET at Joseph J. Gentile Arena
The AI Model believes Dayton will escape Chicago, IL, with a two-point win over the Ramblers. You can find Dayton at -1 at Bet365. There’s value in the Flyers, who are ranked in the top 25 and have 22 wins on the season.
Strategic Shootout
The Loyola-Chicago Ramblers don’t have the consistent offense Dayton has. That should be the difference in this matchup.
The Flyers have nailed 39.3% from three and 54.1% from inside the arc. Dayton could struggle around the rim, with Loyola-Chicago allowing just 43.2% from two this year. However, because the Ramblers pack it in, the three-point shot is typically wide-open.
Opponents have drilled 34.4% from three against Loyola Chicago this season. Dayton takes a very high amount of threes and is one of the most consistent teams from downtown this year. They’ll have their way from three in this game. Dayton will also see the foul line at a high rate against Loyola Chicago, who typically fouls a lot per game.
Defensive Dominance
On the other hand, Loyola-Chicago has turned the ball over 18.9% of the time and has added only 25.8% of offensive rebounds. They might struggle to match Dayton on the offensive glass, which wouldn’t be ideal.
The Ramblers have still shot 35.2% from three and 52.7% from two this season. That’s all good until you recognize Dayton has held teams to 30.7% from three and 47.6% from two this year.
The Flyers have been more consistent defensively and offensively. We’ll take them to win against the spread.
NCAAB Pick: Dayton -1 (-110) at Bet365
Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Nevada Wolf Pack
Friday, March 01, 2024 – 10:30 PM ET at Lawlor Events Center
The AI Model likes Fresno State and Nevada to score 138 points in tonight’s Mountain West showdown. With Bet365 at 137, there’s clear value on the Over in this matchup.
Nevada’s Offensive Delight
The Fresno State Bulldogs have been one of the worst defenses in the nation this year. The team is allowing a 52.9% effective field goal percentage and has allowed 36.6% from downtown and 51.8% from inside the arc.
On top of that, the Bulldogs have given up 30.2% of offensive rebounds and rarely get turnovers, averaging just 15.7% per game this season.
You’ll ultimately never see the Bulldogs earn blocks defensively.
On the other hand, Nevada has drained 35.6% from three and 52.3% from inside the arc. The Wolf Pack are also one of the best teams at getting to the foul line and have limited turnovers very well.
Nevada will have a field day offensively at home.
Over Promise
On the other hand, Fresno State doesn’t need to dominate offensively. The Bulldogs just have to do enough to help cover the Over.
Fresno State has nailed 53.9% from inside the arc and takes a solid portion of their shots from inside the arc.
The Bulldogs also have experience on the roster and are getting quality minutes from the bench, if nothing else. I like Fresno State to at least stick around offensively to help the Over hit.
I’m riding with the AI Model on this one.
NCAAB Pick: Over 137 (-110) at Bet365
*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
