College Basketball Betting Picks for Monday 11/13/23: Michigan Looks to Silence MSG

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

Michigan Wolverines at St. John's Red Storm

Michigan Moneyline (+114)

The Michigan Wolverines against the St. John's Red Storm could be the most intriguing matchup for tonight. Michigan has rolled to a 2-0 start with an average score margin of +27.5 (21st), and coach Rick Pitino began his St. John's tenure with a 90-74 win over Stony Brook.

Madison Square Garden should be rocking tonight as the Red Storm look to live up to the offseason hype. So far, the Wolverines have looked like the better team; Michigan ranks 34th in KenPom while St. John's is 60th. Still, the Red Storm are 2.5-point favorites, likely due to the homecourt advantage.

The Michigan moneyline (+114) could be too intriguing to pass up. The Wolverines entered the season with questions surrounding their offense as they were replacing their top three scorers from last season. This has been one of the nation's most efficient offenses through three games.

Michigan has a field goal percentage (FG%) of 54.9% (10th), a two-point percentage of 64.2% (19th), and an effective field goal percentage (eFG%) of 62.8% (9th).

Meanwhile, St. John's is 80th in KenPom's adjusted defensive efficiency, creating an opportunity for the Wolverines' offense to erupt. The Red Storm allowed 74 points against Stony Brook, who is 258th in adjusted offensive efficiency. Additionally, St. John's ranks outside the top 100 in opponent eFG%.

Olivier Nkamhoua and Dug McDaniel have smashed expectations through two Michigan games. Nkamhoua is averaging 21.0 points per game (PPG) and 8.5 rebounds per game (RPG) -- both marks lead the team -- and second-year guard McDaniel ranks second on the team at 19.0 PPG while touting a team-best 6.0 assists per game (APG).

The red-hot Wolverines' offense could prove to be too much in Madison Square Garden.

No. 21 Villanova Wildcats at Pennsylvania Quakers

Villanova -11.5 (-105)

The Villanova Wildcats are one of the AP Poll's top-25 teams in action on Monday. Through two games, the Wildcats boast one of college basketball's top offenses.

The unit has the 12th-best mark in KenPom's adjusted offensive efficiency and ranks 15th in eFG%. The offense has been a balanced attack led by four double-digit scores in Justin Moore (15.5 PPG), TJ Bamba (14.0 PPG), Tyler Burton (12.5 PPG), and Brendan Hausen (12.0 PPG).

Villanova has also been a high-volume three-point shooting team, ranking eighth in three-pointers attempted per game. They've cashed in 38.5% of their shots from deep, which ranks in the 81st percentile. Expect the Wildcats to keep launching three-pointers; they averaged the 20th-most shots from beyond the arc per game last season.

Despite the early success, Villanova is only an 11.5-point favorite against the Pennsylvania Quakers, who rank 202nd in KenPom. The Quakers could lack the defense to slow the Wildcats since they are 183rd in adjusted defensive rating and 240th in allowed three-pointers attempted per game.

Furthermore, Penn's offense could be in store for a poor showing. The unit is 213rd in adjusted offensive efficiency and 182nd in eFG%.

While the Wildcats' offense has drawn most of the attention, the defense is still carrying its weight. Villanova is allowing only 60.0 PPG (41st) while holding opponents to 36.4% on two-pointers (14th).

The Wildcats have a long list of advantages against the Quakers, including three-pointers. Villanova could roll to their third consecutive win while covering the spread.

FIU Panthers at No. 12 Miami (FL) Hurricanes

Miami -22.5 (-118)

The Miami Hurricanes impressed in the first week of the season with back-to-back wins and covers against the spread (ATS). They were rewarded by moving up one spot in the AP Top 25 Poll.

Miami could be poised for their third consecutive cover against the FIU Panthers, who rank 240th in KenPom. Of course, the Hurricanes -- who are 37th in KenPom -- have a long list of advantages in this matchup. Miami's lethal offense, led by Wooga Poplar (22.0 PPG) and Norchad Omier (19.5 PPG), is where this game could get out of hand.

FIU ranks 187th in adjusted defensive efficiency while the Hurricanes are 19th in adjusted offensive efficiency. Miami has been extremely efficient from the field with a 61.8 eFG% (14th) while shooting 44.9% on three-pointers (19th).

The Panthers hold some of the worst defensive marks in the nation, ranking in the 18th percentile or worse of opponent eFG% and the bottom 16.0% of opponent two-point percentage. Miami's Omier could feast in the paint as he looks to record his third consecutive double-double.

FIU is also allowing opponents to shoot 21.5 three-pointers per game (148th). Miami should get more open looks from three-point land, which should lead to another high-scoring day.

Ultimately, it seems the Panthers do not have the tools to slow down the Hurricanes, who are scoring 94.5 PPG (15th). I'm expecting Miami to cover their third consecutive game ATS.

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.