College Basketball Betting Picks for Tuesday 11/14/23: Gavitt Games Galore

The college basketball season always provides a flurry of twists and turns that few saw coming -- especially when March Madness comes around. This can make college basketball one of the most challenging sports to bet on.

Fortunately, we have plenty of tools available that can aid our chances of taking the most favorable college basketball bets. Bart Torvik and KenPom are excellent sources that give insights into team-level efficiency, and Sports Reference provides a wide range of useful team stats, as well.

Let's check out FanDuel Sportsbook's college basketball odds and select some of the best bets of the day by utilizing the mentioned tools.

Please note lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published.

College Basketball Best Bets

Wisconsin Badgers at Providence Friars

Wisconsin -1.5 (-108)

It's an exciting day to be a college basketball fan as Tuesday provides the first loaded slate of the 2023-24 season. The Champions Classic, which features two top-25 matchups, is usually a fun watch, and the Gavitt Tip-Off Games (essentially the Big Ten-Big East challenge) only adds to the excitement.

Tonight's matchups feature three Gavitt Games, highlighted by a top-25 clash between Marquette and Illinois. Today's college basketball betting preview will focus on the Big Ten-Big East matchups as all three games have enticing lines. Following two games on Monday, the Big Ten leads the challenge 2-0. The Big East is 1-3 against the Big Ten since the 2018 season. Will the Big East flex its muscles tonight?

First up is Wisconsin against Providence, which tips off at 6:00 p.m. ET. The Badgers rank 25th by KenPom while the Friars are 57th. With Providence holding the home advantage, Wisconsin is favored by only 1.5 points. The Badgers come off a 10-point loss against No. 7 Tennessee, and the Friars are 2-0 while going 1-1 against the spread (ATS).

So far, Wisconsin has seemed to alter its identity. In the 2022-23 season, they were led by the 19th-best unit in adjusted defensive efficiency while playing among the top 9.0% slowest paces. While the defense has remained solid, ranking 29th in adjusted defensive efficiency, the offense has dramatically improved.

The Badgers are 26th in adjusted offensive efficiency compared to 140th last season. Plus, they are in the 85th percentile of the fastest paces in the nation. AJ Storr -- the St. John's transfer -- has helped transform the backcourt with 16.0 points per game (PPG). With Chucky Hepburn (16.5 PPG) and Storr leading the way, Wisconsin suddenly has a very promising backcourt.

For tonight's matchup, the Badgers could feast in the paint. Wisconsin ranks in the 75th percentile of two-pointers attempted per game and in the 87th percentile of two-point percentage. Providence is in the bottom 10.0% with 44.5 attempted two-pointers allowed per game, creating the perfect opportunity for the Badgers to attack the paint.

Wisconsin also features an exceptional perimeter defense that surrenders only 19.0 three-point attempts per game (78th percentile). The Friars rely on the three-ball, attempting 27.0 shots from deep per game (80th percentile).

With the Badgers' ability to attack the paint and limit their opponent's three-point attempts, I like Wisconsin to cover the spread.

Iowa Hawkeyes at No. 8 Creighton Bluejays

Over 162.5 (-115)

The nightcap of the Gavitt Games triple-header will be Iowa against Creighton. This could be the most lopsided game among the three matchups as the Bluejays are favored by 11.5 points.

As Jon Rothstein put it in his ROTHSTEIN 45, Creighton is "breathtaking offensively." Advanced metrics back that notion as the Bluejays rank sixth in adjusted offensive efficiency. Iowa-Creighton could simply be a classic case of "anything you can do, I can do better."

The Hawkeyes have consistently featured exceptional offenses of late, with four straight offenses finishing in the top five of efficiency. After two contests, Iowa is 2-0 while averaging 104.0 PPG (third). Forwards Payton Sandfort (19.0 PPG), Patrick McCaffery (16.5 PPG), and Ben Krikke (15.5 PPG) have been a three-headed monster.

Creighton's offense seems to be a notch above Iowa's for they rank second in effective field goal percentage (eFG%) at a ridiculous 71.1%. They also lead the nation with a 74.5% two-point percentage, and the Bluejays rank fifth with 33.0 three-pointers attempted per game.

Iowa's defense is 101st in efficiency, but the unit has held up from three, allowing only 23.5 three-point shots per game (60th percentile). However, the paint defense is a weakness as the Hawkeyes lack a true big man; opponents are averaging 42.5 attempted two-pointers per game (bottom 13.0%). Creighton's Ryan Kalkbrenner (11.0 PPG; 76.9 FG%) is one of college basketball's best centers.

The Hawkeyes' defense could be in a constant bind. Do they tighten the perimeter D and limit three-point attempts or crash the paint to try to keep Kalkbrenner quiet? Opposing teams will likely constantly debate on how to slow this buzzsaw of offense all season long.

The running theme of this matchup is offense, offense, and more offense; this is why the total sits at 162.5. Even with the large number, I like the over. Both offenses have been highly efficient, but Iowa's success could depend on the three-ball as the Bluejays lead the nation early on with only 10.5 attempted three-pointers allowed per game.

No. 4 Marquette Golden Eagles at No. 23 Illinois Fighting Illini

Marquette Moneyline (+112)

The Marquette Golden Eagles are one of the best teams in college basketball as they rank 11th in KenPom and are tied for the 5th-shortest odds to win the national championship when looking at FanDuel Sportsbook's college basketball lines. With that said, the Eagles are 2.5-point road underdogs against No. 23 Illinois.

Tyler Kolek -- one of the nation's best point guards -- sustained an ankle injury in Marquette's last game. He is expected to be a game-time decision for tonight. Kolek is the floor general of one of college basketball's top offenses (fifth in efficiency). If their leading assist man (5.0) does not play, the Golden Eagles could be in trouble.

The Fight Illini are off to a 2-0 start while boasting the nation's 15th-best defense. Opponents are averaging only 52.5 PPG (9th) with a 32.8 FG% (16th). Illinois' paint defense has been even more impressive, holding opponents to 34.0% shooting on two-pointers (seventh). The perimeter defense has limited three-point attempts to 15.5 per game (94th percentile). You name it, the Illini defense is probably doing it well. This is a unit excelling in nearly every category.

However, Illinois' offense has been streaky. Their 64-53 win against Oakland as 24.5-point favorites was particularly concerning. In that one, the Fighting Illini shot only 25.0% from three-point land and 50.0% from the free-throw line.

Marquette's defense does not draw the same praise as their offense, as expected. The defense is 33rd in efficiency while the offense is a top-five unit nationally, holding a 62.0 eFG% (11th) and averaging 93.5 PPG (17th). Still, the defense has some strengths, including an opponent eFG% of 42.6% (84th percentile).

If Kolek does not play, the Eagles still have excellent scoring options in Kam Jones (21.5 PPG) and Oso Ighodaro (13.0 PPG). Ultimately, I trust this offense to come out with the win. Plus, Marquette's solid defense could do enough to limit Illinois' streaky offense. The Golden Eagles moneyline (+112) is too good to pass on, especially if Kolek suits up.

Looking for more college basketball betting opportunities? Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook to check out all of the upcoming college basketball odds.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.