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

No. 4 Marquette Golden Eagles at Butler Bulldogs

Marquette -4.5 (-110)

Marquette hit a rough stretch in the middle of conference play, but they have rounded back into form and are better than ever. The Golden Eagles are soaring on a seven-game winning streak while going 6-1 against the spread (ATS).

Tuesday's matchup is a tough road test against Butler, who currently holds an 11 seed for the NCAA Tournament, per Bart Torvik's projections. This is a prime opportunity for the Bulldogs to add another big feather to their cap with a potential Quad 1 win. Marquette is gearing up for Butler's best shot.

Even with the Bulldogs potentially fighting for their March Madness aspirations, I like the Eagles to come up with another cover. Before you say it, I know backing a ranked team on the road against an unranked foe in conference play is risky -- especially with a small spread like this (4.5). Here's why Marquette is capable of avoiding the upset.

Butler's defense ranks 87th in KenPom's adjusted defensive efficiency, in the bottom 36% with opponents totaling 73.6 points per game (PPG), and in the bottom 14% in three-point shots allowed per game.

The perimeter defense looks like a major issue with the Golden Eagles taking 42.8% of their shots from three (86th percentile) while ranking in the 90th percentile of three-point attempts per contest. Marquette has also shot 46.6% from three over their previous five games. David Joplin (10.9 PPG) has been blazing hot, shooting 50.0% from deep while totaling 16.0 PPG over his last five.

The Bulldogs' defensive weakness plays right into where the Eagles have been hot. Plus, Marquette has a strong interior defense that sits in the 88th percentile of two-point attempts and makes allowed per game. Butler leans on attacking the rim, ranking in the 80th percentile of two-point shots per contest.

When spreads are small, it seems uncommon for ranked teams to cover on the road in conference play. However, the Golden Eagles could be an exception tonight.

Michigan Wolverines at No. 14 Illinois Fighting Illini

Over 153.5 (-115)

Illinois holds the second-best offense in the Big Ten as the unit has the sixth-best adjusted offensive efficiency nationally. The elite unit is licking their chops as Michigan -- who has the worst defense in the conference -- will pay a visit on Tuesday.

The Fighting Illini are in the 94th percentile with 82.4 PPG and are averaging 84.1 PPG over their last seven games. Meanwhile, the Wolverines' defense has been like a wounded animal that can't find its footing, sitting in the bottom 9% with opponents averaging 78.4 PPG.

Illinois' potential success on offense is as clear as day; they have several specific advantages, including their two-point attack. Michigan is in the bottom 4% of two-point shots allowed per game, and the Illini are in the 79th percentile of two-point percentage and two-pointers made each contest.

For betting on the total, the trick could be how many points the Wolverines can provide. Illinois' quick tempo, which sits among the top 19% in the country, could help Michigan score more than usual. If the Wolverines are getting up more shots, they are going to naturally score -- even if they have bad efficiency. The Fighting Illini are in the bottom 5% in field goal attempts allowed per contest.

Opponents are averaging 76.8 PPG over Illinois' previous 10 games, and the over is 8-2 during that span. The Illini's pace of play and elite offense could lead to the over yet again.

No. 10 Iowa State Cyclones at Cincinnati Bearcats

Iowa State Moneyline (+104)

Since February 6th, four top-25 teams in the Big 12 have visited a unranked Big 12 squad. Unranked teams are batting .500 during the span, winning two of four games. That's a scary percentage if you're backing the ranked team on the road. However, I'm still taking the risk on Iowa State against Cincinnati; the Cyclones could take away the Bearcats' greatest strength.

So, what is Cincy's greatest strength? They look to dominate the paint with 40.6% of their field goals labeled as close twos by Bart Torvik.

However, Iowa State has an elite defense that has the third-best adjusted defensive efficiency while ranking in the 98th percentile of PPG allowed and made field goals allowed per contest. The paint defense is especially impressive as the Cyclones are in the 99th percentile of two-point attempts and makes allowed per game while only 21.5% of opponents' shots are close twos (leads college basketball), per Bart Torvik.

If the Bearcats struggle to score on the inside, they will be in big trouble as they are in the bottom 44% in three-point percentage and have shot 26.9% from deep over their last five games.

Iowa State's offense also looks to attack the paint as they are in the 92nd percentile of two-point makes per game. Cincinnati's interior defense is not nearly as good as the Cyclones, though, for the Bearcats are in the bottom 30% in opponent two-point attempts each contest.

Rebounding could be Iowa State's biggest concern in this Big 12 battle as Cincy is in the 93rd percentile of defensive and offensive rebounding percentages, and the Cyclones rank outside the top 100 in defensive rebounding percentage.

Still, I trust Iowa State's defense to get it done on the road. They can take away the Bearcats' biggest strength while still getting good looks on offense. Plus, Cincinnati already opts for defensive games with the 66th-best offense and 20th-best defense, according to KenPom. This only plays into the Cyclones' hands even more.

If you’re betting on any college basketball action on February 13th, you can take advantage of FanDuel Sportsbook’s Boost Builder. See the promotions page for more information.

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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.