College Basketball Picks Today: Predictions and Best Bets for Thursday, Nov. 12

Today’s Best College Basketball Bets in Summary

• Richmond -2.5 (-110)
• Loyola Marymount Moneyline (-114)
• Oklahoma State–Texas A&M Over 178.5 (-110)

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Thursday’s college basketball slate offers several intriguing nonconference matchups, including a Big 12–SEC showdown and a pair of games that could be decided by shot-making.

With the season still in its opening weeks, early efficiency and shooting numbers require some caution, but they can help identify matchups worth targeting.

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.

Today’s Best College Basketball Predictions, Picks

Richmond -2.5 (-110)

Richmond at Southern Illinois — 8:00 p.m. ET

Richmond has gotten off to a 3-0 start, and the Spiders have already offered some compelling evidence that their revamped offense can consistently create good looks. They’ve also been strong defensively.

In their most recent outing, Richmond defeated Temple 79-53, holding the Owls to 29.6% shooting overall and a 7-for-32 mark from three-point range. Richmond also forced 59 turnovers across its first three games, a disruptive defensive approach that should translate well to this matchup.

The offense has been both efficient and balanced. Derin Saran has supplied 21 assists against only two turnovers through three games while Dominick Stewart is averaging 17.0 points and Jamie Kaiser Jr. is contributing 15.7. Those numbers come from a small early-season sample, but Richmond has demonstrated multiple ways to score rather than leaning on a single player.

Southern Illinois presents a tougher road environment than Richmond has seen to this point. Still, the Salukis allowed 100 points to Kansas City, and Richmond’s combination of ball movement and turnover creation gives the Spiders a realistic path to winning by at least three.

Loyola Marymount Moneyline (-105)

Loyola Marymount vs. South Alabama — 8:00 p.m. ET

Loyola Marymount is just 1-2, but there are reasons to prefer the Lions in their neutral-site game in Pensacola.

The Lions are turning the ball over on only 11.9% of possessions, compared with 14.8% for South Alabama. Ball security could be especially important in a matchup priced as a near coin-flip.

South Alabama has allowed 80.7 points per game and has surrendered a 59.4% opponent effective field goal percentage in the early going. The Jaguars have also shot only 27.1% from three-point range through three games, so they have not consistently compensated for defensive lapses with quality outside shooting.

Both programs have overhauled their rosters, so the three-game samples should not be overstated. Still, LMU’s lower turnover rate and South Alabama’s defensive numbers make the Lions a reasonable moneyline option at these odds.

Oklahoma State–Texas A&M Over 178.5 (-110)

Oklahoma State at Texas A&M — 8:00 p.m. ET

Oklahoma State and Texas A&M both enter Thursday unbeaten, and each has played at a pace that makes this lofty total worth considering.

In its first two games, Oklahoma State scored 91 against Incarnate Word and 118 against Queens, averaging 104.5 points. Texas A&M has been similarly explosive, producing 97, 104, and 108 points in its three wins, an average of 103.0.

The possession numbers support the idea of a fast-paced matchup. Oklahoma State sits at 77.5 possessions per 40 minutes and Texas A&M at 83.7, with the Aggies third in KenPom’s adjusted tempo.

The Cowboys have also shot well, making 16 of 28 three-point attempts against Queens and recording 30 assists on 44 field goals.

Both teams compiled those eye-catching offensive numbers against lesser opponents, which is a reason for concern. Still, the aggressive tempos, transition opportunities, and demonstrated scoring depth on both sides create a path to a game that pushes over 178.5 points.

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.