College Basketball Betting Picks for Monday 11/27/23

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

Saint Peter's Peacocks at Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Under 122.5 (-110)

Tonight's slate features a battle for New Jersey as Saint Peter's visits Rutgers.

The Peacocks are nowhere close to their 2021-22 form, which featured an improbable run to the Elite Eight. Saint Peter's is off to a 1-3 start and ranks 239th in KenPom. However, the Peacocks' identity is still similar to the 2021-22 squad.

Saint Peter's continues to rely on their defense as they rank in the 59th percentile of KenPom's adjusted defensive efficiency. The offense has been lacking as it is in the bottom 20% of adjusted offensive efficiency. The Peacocks also play at the third-slowest pace in the nation (out of 362 teams).

Fortunately, Saint Peter's will not face an offensive juggernaut in Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights deploy a similar style with the nation's 22nd-best defense and are among the top 31% in slowest tempos.

Even with the small total of 122.5, I like the under.

Neither team shoots it well from three; the Peacocks are in the bottom 28% of three-point attempts per game while Rutgers is in the bottom 31% of the category. This suggests both offenses rely on two-point looks and attacking the paint.

Both squads have exceptional paint defenses, though. The Scarlet Knights have the sixth-best mark in points in the paint allowed per game, and Saint Peter's is in the 86th percentile of the category.

The offenses could struggle against solid defenses. Give me the under.

New Hampshire Wildcats at No. 4 UConn Huskies

Under 149.5 (-110)

The defending champions have been dominant in nearly every facet of the game. UConn ranks third in KenPom, second in adjusted offensive efficiency, and ninth in adjusted defensive efficiency. The Huskies have rolled to a 6-0 start while ranking third in average score margin (+29.5).

Say a prayer for New Hampshire; they are the next team on the chopping block. Connecticut will likely roll to another win, hence the 31.5-point spread. The 149.5-point total offers an interesting bet, though.

The over is 3-1 in the Wildcats' previous four games, and it is 4-2 in Huskies games this season. I'm going against the grain with the under.

This key could be UConn's perimeter defense; they give up only 16.0 three-point shots per game (top 3%). New Hampshire relies on the three-ball as they launch 28.8 per game (top 6%). The Huskies are in the bottom 56% of effective field goal percentage (eFG%). If New Hampshire is rarely getting three-point looks, they could be in for a long night.

The Wildcats could be poised for a low-scoring game, which means the Huskies' offense would need to carry the load for the over. New Hampshire is in the bottom 32% of defensive efficiency. However, they are in the 65th percentile of opponent eFG% and in the 93rd percentile of opponent three-point percentage.

This could be a similar result to Mississippi Valley State-Connecticut, which featured the under with an 87-53 final. The Wildcats could have enough defense to prevent an outburst from the Huskies, such as a 90-point or 100-point showing.

Utah Utes at Saint Mary's Gaels

Utah +4.5 (-110)

The West Coast features a late-night matchup between Utah and Saint Mary's. The Utes come off their first loss of the season against No. 6 Houston -- KenPom's top team. The Gaels are on a brutal slide losing three of their last four games. Saint Mary's was also favored in each loss.

Utah has been the more complete team, ranking 45th in KenPom, 37th in adjusted offensive efficiency, and 49th in adjusted defensive efficiency. The Gaels, who are 59th KenPom, have once again relied on defense with the nation's 38th-best unit. The defense has declined, though, as it was 10th in efficiency last season. Additionally, Saint Mary's is currently 99th in opponent eFG% compared to 36th in 2022-23.

To make matters worse, the Gaels' shooting splits have been dreadful: bottom 17% in field goal percentage (FG%), eFG%, and two-point percentage. The offense finally turned in an impressive performance in their last game with a 52.3 FG% while converting 15 of 31 on three-pointers in an 89-55 win over Davidson.

Saint Mary's was unusually efficient from three; they shoot 30.3% from deep on the season (bottom 31%). Utah gives up 26.8 three-point shots per game (bottom 10%). The Utes will probably be just fine allowing the Gaels to shoot from deep. Saint Mary's last scoring outburst could have been a simple stroke of luck. It's unlikely that the Gaels stay blistering-hot from three; the season stats say enough.

Ultimately, I have more trust in Utah's offense, which averages 81.6 PPG (81st percentile). They have been lethal from three, shooting 38.8% (91st percentile). Branden Carlson (37.5%), Gabe Madsen (45.7%), and Cole Bajema (44.0%) have been a three-headed monster from beyond the arc, and all three players average at least 11.0 PPG.

The Gaels' leading scorer Aidan Mahaney (13.8 PPG) has been a liability on the defensive end with a 0.86 Defensive Bayesian Performance Rating, per EvanMiya. This could allow the Utes' backcourt trio, who all average double-digit points, to excel.

Utah has enough firepower to keep this one close with a cover.

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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.