College Basketball Picks Today: 3 Predictions and Player Props for Tuesday, Nov. 10

Today’s Best College Basketball Bets in Summary

• Duke-Michigan State Under 145.5 Points (-110)
• Illinois -2.5 (-102)
• Kansas -4.5 (-110)

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The college basketball season gives us plentiful betting options with so many teams in action each day.

Let's check out FanDuel Sportsbook's college basketball odds and select some of the best bets for today.

College basketball odds via FanDuel Sportsbook, and they may change throughout the day after this article is published. All stats are from Bart Torvik, KenPom and Sports Reference unless noted otherwise. Some of these picks may be taken from our other college basketball content.

Today’s Best College Basketball Predictions, Picks

Duke-Michigan State Under 145.5 Points (-110)

Duke vs. Michigan State, 7 p.m. ET

The Duke Blue Devils and Michigan State Spartans have both put up big offensive numbers to open the 2026-27 campaign, but their defensive performances give us some reasons to like the under tonight.

Through two games, Duke has surrendered just 51.0 points per contest, holding opponents to 32.2% shooting from the field and 23.1% from three-point range. The Blue Devils have also been disruptive, forcing 18.5 turnovers per game while averaging 14.0 steals and 7.5 blocks.

Michigan State has been similarly impressive on the defensive end, allowing just 60.0 points per game and holding opponents to 34.5% shooting, including 26.2% from beyond the arc. The Spartans have also dominated the glass, averaging 44.5 rebounds per game while limiting opponents to just 22.5.

KenPom ranks Duke (second) and MSU (fourth) as elite defensive teams.

Of course, both teams have faced relatively weak competition, so we should be careful not to put too much stock into those numbers. Still, there's reason to believe the defensive success can carry over into Tuesday's matchup.

Michigan State's offensive rebounding could help the Spartans control the game, while Duke's ability to force turnovers and protect the rim should make life difficult for Tom Izzo's squad. Additionally, Michigan State has converted just 59.4% of its free throws through two games, which could limit its scoring efficiency.

It's also worth noting that these programs met last December in a game that finished with just 126 combined points, as Duke earned a 66-60 victory in East Lansing. Their 2023 Champions Classic meeting produced only 139 points in a 74-65 Duke win.

Both offenses have been rolling against inferior opponents, but this represents a massive step up in competition. With two quality defenses capable of making things difficult in the half court, the under at 147.5 is an appealing bet.

Illinois -2.5 (-102)

Illinois vs. Texas Tech, 8 p.m. ET

While the two State Farm Champions Classic games steal a lot of the headlines, this is my favorite game of the night — an on-campus battle between two strong teams.

Illinois faces a difficult road test against Texas Tech, but the Fighting Illini have the offensive firepower to leave Lubbock with a victory. Illinois enters this matchup ranked fourth nationally in KenPom's adjusted efficiency rankings, including first in adjusted offensive efficiency. Texas Tech is 18th overall and 16th offensively, giving the Illini a sizable advantage on that end of the floor.

Illinois has been nearly unstoppable through its first two games, scoring 120 points against Fairleigh Dickinson and 112 against Penn. The Illini have also dominated the glass, outrebounding those opponents by a combined 127-54 margin. That rebounding advantage could be particularly important against Texas Tech as Illinois' ability to create second-chance opportunities should help its offense remain productive even if the shots aren't falling consistently.

The Illini also have several scoring threats, led by Andrej Stojakovic's 22.5 points per game. Quentin Coleman, Stefan Vaaks, and Zavier Zens are each averaging at least 15 points, giving Illinois the scoring depth to challenge a Texas Tech defense ranked 24th nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, compared to Illinois' 19th-place ranking.

Playing in Lubbock won't be easy. However, Illinois' superior overall efficiency profile, offensive rebounding, and balanced scoring attack provide a strong case for the Fighting Illini covering a relatively small spread.

Kansas -4.5 (-110)

Kentucky vs. Kansas, 9:30 p.m. ET

The Kansas Jayhawks have been dominant to open the 2026-27 season, winning their first two games by a combined 74 points. The Jayhawks cruised past Fordham by 30 before dismantling Middle Tennessee by 44, and their offensive efficiency has been outstanding.

Through two games, Kansas is averaging 92.0 points while shooting a blistering 60.3% from the field. The Jayhawks have also been excellent on the glass, averaging 45.5 rebounds per game and outrebounding opponents by 11.5 boards per contest.

KenPom's early-season efficiency ratings provide another reason to back Kansas. The Jayhawks rank fifth nationally in adjusted efficiency margin (+30.8), compared to 29th for the Kentucky Wildcats (+21.1). The biggest separation comes defensively — Kansas ranks third in adjusted defensive efficiency (89.7) while Kentucky sits 73rd (99.5).

That defensive advantage could be particularly important against a Kentucky squad that struggled to put away James Madison in its most recent outing, winning 89-80. Meanwhile, Kansas held Middle Tennessee to just 45 points and 25.0% shooting in its last game.

The Jayhawks also have plenty of offensive weapons, with Tre White averaging a team-high 15.5 points and Trey Kaufman-Renn contributing 13.0 points per game. Add in highly touted freshman Tyran Stokes, and Kansas has the talent and depth to create problems for Kentucky on both ends of the floor.

Both teams are stepping up in competition, but Kansas' early defensive performance and significant advantage in adjusted efficiency make the Jayhawks an appealing choice to cover the 5.5-point spread.

College Basketball Betting FAQ

What is a point spread in college basketball betting?

A point spread gives the favorite a handicap that it must overcome for a bet to win. For example, if a team is listed at -6.5, it needs to win by at least seven points for a spread bet on that team to cash. An underdog listed at +6.5 can lose by six points or fewer, or win the game outright, and still cover the spread.

What does the over/under mean in college basketball?

The over/under is a sportsbook's projected combined score for a game. Bettors can wager on whether the two teams will combine for more points than the total (over) or fewer points than the total (under). For example, a game with a 148.5-point total would need at least 149 combined points for an over bet to win.

What is a moneyline bet in college basketball?

A moneyline bet is a wager on which team will win the game outright, regardless of the final margin. Favorites typically have negative odds, while underdogs have positive odds. Unlike a point-spread bet, a moneyline bettor does not need the favorite to win by a certain number of points.

Is home-court advantage important in college basketball betting?

Yes. Home-court advantage can be particularly meaningful in college basketball because of travel, crowd noise and the familiarity teams have with their home environments. The impact varies considerably by program, though, so bettors should consider the specific teams involved rather than applying the same home-court adjustment to every matchup.

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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.