College Basketball Betting Picks for Wednesday 11/22/23

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

Memphis Tigers at Michigan Wolverines

Memphis -1.5 (-110)

The Battle 4 Atlantis tips off today and features two intriguing matchups: Villanova-Texas Tech and Memphis-Michigan. The latter could provide the best line with Memphis favored by 1.5 points.

The Tigers look to be the more balanced team, holding KenPom's 38th-best mark in adjusted offensive efficiency and 34th-best mark in adjusted defensive efficiency. Meanwhile, the Wolverines have the 14th-best adjusted offensive efficiency, but they are 83rd in defense.

The 153.5 total suggests a high-scoring game, which could be fueled by three-pointers. Both teams attempt plenty of shots from deep per game (Memphis 69th percentile; Michigan 83rd percentile), and they draw favorable matchups against suspect perimeter defenses.

Perhaps the Tigers' fatal flaw could be perimeter defense, as they rank in the bottom 4% nationally of allowed three-point attempts per game. The Wolverines are better in the category but are still in the bottom 40%. If these teams are given looks, they will have no problem hoisting three-pointers, for both squads are shooting over 38.0% from deep.

These teams should have similar scoring success thanks to three-point looks. However, Memphis' defense could be the difference in this clash. The Tigers create havoc, averaging 9.7 steals per game (92nd percentile).

A difference in possessions could lead to the Memphis cover. Michigan has been quite mediocre in the turnover category, as they average 12.3 giveaways per game (57th percentile). Plus, the Wolverines are in the bottom 9% of steals per game (4.3).

No. 2 Purdue Boilermakers at No. 4 Marquette Golden Eagles

Marquette +3.5 (-110)

Before feasting on Thanksgiving meals, college basketball fans get to gorge on an excellent slate of games. Following No. 7 Tennessee against No. 1 Kansas, No. 2 Purdue and No. 4 Marquette collide in the championship game.

The frontcourt matchup between Zach Edey and Oso Ighodaro is about as exciting as it gets. Let's dig into what makes this matchup so intriguing.

According to EvanMiya, Edey is rated as the nation's top player, and Ighodaro has the second-best rating on the Golden Eagles. This is no knock on Ighodaro, though. Marquette's Tyler Kolek -- one of the country's best point guards -- has Ighodaro edged out in EvanMiya's Bayesian Performance Rating (BPR).

Ighodaro clearly showed his worth in Tuesday's 73-59 win. He outperformed Hunter Dickinson, who ranks sixth nationally in BPR, with 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks.

The 6-foot-11 center is now tasked with guarding Edey, who is averaging 22.0 PPG and 10.8 rebounds per game (RPG).

Similar to Dickinson's dilemma on Tuesday, I should also say Edey has to guard Ighodaro. The Eagles' big man has excellent versatility with the skillset to face up while being an exceptional passer. Edey, who is 7-foot-4, could lack the mobility to keep up.

Most importantly, how can Marquette slow Edey? Unlike most teams across college basketball, the Golden Eagles actually have quality depth at center. Ighodaro and Ben Gold are both 6-foot-11, and the 6-foot-8 David Joplin is a key piece in the frontcourt.

Marquette is also in the 80th percentile of opponent two-point percentage, and they are pesky with 9.0 steals per game (87th percentile).

While Purdue's Fletcher Loyer, who racked up 27 points on Tuesday, and Braden Smith (ninth in BPR) have been exceptional, I ultimately have more trust in the Eagles' backcourt of Kolek and Kam Jones. They are known commodities following impressive 2022-23 seasons, but I'm still skeptical about Loyer and Smith, who were inconsistent a season ago.

Give me Marquette to cover the spread. They could even be an intriguing moneyline pick at +138. The Golden Eagles have a decent shot of frustrating Edey, and they could have the advantage in the backcourt.

Buckle up, this should be a fun one with both teams ranking in the top 11 of adjusted offensive and defensive efficiencies.

No. 11 Gonzaga Bulldogs at UCLA Bruins

UCLA +4.5 (-110)

It feels like Gonzaga and UCLA are tied together by an invisible string. The two programs will meet for the fourth time since the 2020-21 season. The Bruins have lost three consecutive matchups while going 1-2 against the spread (ATS). UCLA is still chasing revenge for Jalen Suggs' improbable half-court buzzer-beater in the 2021 Final Four.

Will the Bruins finally have a taste of sweet revenge? The losers bracket in the Maui Invitational does not exactly have the same stakes, but hey, UCLA will probably take what they can get at this point.

The frontcourt collision promises to be a physically imposing matchup, as both teams like to attack the paint. The Bulldogs are in the 95th percentile of two-point attempts per game while the Bruins are in the 78th percentile.

The Bruins' 12.8 three-point attempts per game (bottom 1%) give a bit more context. They simply do not average as many overall field goal attempts as the Zags due to one of the nation's slowest paces (among the top 11% in slowest paces). Simply put, 76.6% of UCLA's field goal attempts are two-pointers, compared to Gonzaga's 66.7%.

With 23.3 three-point attempts per game (60th percentile), the Bulldogs are not afraid to launch shots from deep. However, they have not been successful with a dreadful 29.0% three-point percentage (bottom 19%).

Gonzaga may have to knock down threes to emerge as the victor, though. The Bruins boast an excellent paint defense, ranking in the 86th percentile of opponent two-point percentage, and they rank second in converted two-pointers allowed per game.

As usual, UCLA, who has the 14th-best adjusted defensive efficiency, will be looking to slow the pace against the Bulldogs. I believe the Bruins can control the tempo of this game; they are 9th in defensive rebounding percentage and average only 10.5 turnovers per game (82nd percentile).

UCLA could be just fine with the Zags launching three-pointers. They will likely look to stack the paint, hoping to limit Gonzaga's frontcourt trio of Graham Ike (16.5 PPG), Braden Huff (14.3 PPG), and Anton Watson (12.8 PPG). Led by Adem Bona, who holds a team-best 6.32 BPR and 3.34 Defensive Bayesian Performance Rating (DBPR), the Bruins' frontcourt should have another excellent defensive outing.

The Bruins could be in store for a cover by controlling the pace of play.

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.