College Basketball Picks Today: Predictions and Best Bets for Wednesday, Nov. 4

Today’s Best College Basketball Bets in Summary

• Northern Kentucky -2.5 (-110)
• Saint Mary's -13.5 (-110)

The college basketball season is officially underway, and Wednesday's slate features a limited number of games as teams continue their early-season schedules.

Despite the smaller slate, there are still some intriguing betting opportunities, including a pair of favorites worth backing against the spread.

Let's break down two of the best college basketball bets for Wednesday, November 4.

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

Northern Kentucky -2.5 (-110)

Northern Kentucky at South Dakota — 8:00 p.m. ET

Northern Kentucky enters Wednesday's matchup with South Dakota as a slight road favorite, and the Norse appear to have a meaningful advantage in overall team quality.

Northern Kentucky ranks 197th in KenPom's early-season rankings, compared to 259th for South Dakota. That's a sizable gap between, and it makes laying fewer than three points with the Norse appealing.

Northern Kentucky also opened its season with an 84-76 victory over UTEP, getting 24 points from Willie Foster. The Norse averaged 8.6 steals per game last season while South Dakota allowed opponents to shoot 49.0% from the field. That defensive vulnerability could create opportunities for Northern Kentucky's offense.

Although playing on the road presents a challenge, Northern Kentucky's offensive potential and edge in the efficiency rankings make the Norse an attractive option at this short spread.

Saint Mary's -13.5 (-110)

North Dakota State at Saint Mary's — 10:00 p.m. ET

Saint Mary's has been one of the most consistent mid-major programs in college basketball, and the Gaels should have a significant advantage over North Dakota State in Wednesday's home matchup.

The Gaels went 27-6 last season and were particularly dominant on their home floor, posting a perfect 17-0 record. Saint Mary's averaged 15.2 assists per game last season, and its ability to execute in the half court should be an important factor against the Bison.

Saint Mary's needed overtime to defeat Illinois State 90-85 in its season opener, which isn’t ideal, but Mantas Juzenas provided an encouraging performance with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists. North Dakota State also opened with a victory, defeating Minnesota Crookston 90-59 behind 18 points and 7 assists from Andy Stefonowicz.

Saint Mary's is adjusting to life under new head coach Mickey McConnell, but the Gaels have the home-court advantage and enough talent to control this matchup.

If they can establish themselves defensively and limit North Dakota State's opportunities in transition, they should have a good chance to pull away for a comfortable victory.

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.

New customers can get $200 in Bonus Bets -- guaranteed -- when you bet $5 each day for four days. Place your first wager now! See here for full terms and conditions. Learn about today's other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Which bets stand out to you across the nation tonight? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook's latest college basketball odds to see the full menu of options.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

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.