College Basketball Betting Picks for Tuesday 11/28/23

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

No. 21 Mississippi State Bulldogs at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Mississippi State -8.5 (-108)

Before digging into the stats, taking Mississippi State to cover 8.5 points on the road in a non-conference game could come off as bold. However, Georgia Tech is in rebuilding mode with Damon Stoudamire in his first season as head coach. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are hoping to make the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season under Chris Jans.

So far, so good for Mississippi State.

They rank as KenPom's 19th-best team with the 4th-best adjusted defensive efficiency. The Yellow Jackets are tracking to be one of the worst teams in the Power Six, ranking 152nd in KenPom while being 131st in adjusted offensive efficiency and 192nd in adjusted defensive efficiency.

The Bulldogs' ability to lockdown on the defensive end could lead to a lopsided result. They allow the eighth-fewest points per game (PPG) at 59.2, have the second-best mark in opponent effective field goal percentage (eFG%), and tout the third-best clip in opponent shooting efficiency.

This could spell disaster for Georgia Tech, a team in the bottom 22% of eFG% and bottom 23% of field goal percentage (FG%). Mississippi State also has an exceptional wing defender in D.J. Jeffries, who is second on the team with a 2.98 Defensive Bayesian Performance Rating (DBPR), per EvanMiya. Jeffries could be tasked with slowing the Jackets' leading scorer, Miles Kelly (18.8 PPG).

The Bulldogs also rank in the 82nd percentile of three-point attempts per game and in the 72nd percentile of points from three-pointers per game. Georgia Tech is in the bottom 66% of allowed three-point attempts per game. Mississippi State's Josh Hubbard (16.2 PPG) and Trey Fort (7.7 PPG), who lead the team in three-point attempts per game, could be poised for big games.

Clemson Tigers at No. 23 Alabama Crimson Tide

Over 159.5 (-110)

Following the Emerald Coast Classic, Alabama is looking to grab its second consecutive win. It wasn't all rainbows and sunshine for the Crimson Tide in Florida, as they sustained their first loss of the season against Ohio State (92-81). They are the nation's eighth-best team, according to KenPom.

Alabama has been an excellent scoring team, boasting the top mark in adjusted offensive efficiency. But we can't overlook the 61st-best adjusted defensive efficiency. While the Tide are averaging 97.8 PPG (best in the nation), they are also giving up 74.8 PPG (bottom 27%). The interior defense has particularly lacked, allowing 38.0 two-point attempts per game (bottom 41%) while opponents shoot 50.4% on two-pointers (bottom 33%).

I'm expecting Alabama's AAU tendencies (typically high-scoring games with poor defense) to continue in the ACC/SEC Challenge. The over is 5-1 in Crimson Tide games and 3-1 in Clemson's previous four contests. The Tigers aren't too shabby on the offensive end themselves, with the 35th-best mark in adjusted offensive efficiency while totaling 79.6 PPG (73rd percentile).

Clemson's star center P.J. Hall (21.4 PPG) could excel against Alabama's weak paint defense. 'Bama forwards Grant Nelson (0.48) and Jarin Stevenson (0.27) have underwhelming DBPRs.

The battle on the glass will be another key area to watch. The Tigers have the 7th-best mark in defensive rebounding percentage, and Alabama holds the 11th-best offensive rebounding percentage. Controlling the boards could be the key to dictating the pace of play. Clemson is among the top 40% slowest paces while the Crimson Tide play at the 27th-quickest pace in the nation (out of 362 teams).

Ultimately, I like Alabama's chances of finding offensive success, as well. The Tide get to the charity stripe often, with 29.7 attempted free throws per game (third-best). The Tigers are in the bottom 42% in opponent free throws attempted per offensive play. If this game is at a quick pace -- like Alabama wants -- the Crimson Tide could live at the line.

The over trend should continue for both squads in tonight's big-time matchup.

No. 8 Miami (FL) Hurricanes at No. 12 Kentucky Wildcats

Miami +6.5 (-110)

The ACC/SEC Challenge will feature two top-25 matchups this week. First up is No. 8 Miami against No. 12 Kentucky, followed by No. 10 Tennessee against No. 17 North Carolina on Wednesday. Miami-Kentucky looks to be the top matchup of the ACC/SEC Challenge. If you like scoring, three-point shooting, and excellent guard play, look no further.

The Hurricanes have the 11th-best adjusted offensive efficiency while averaging 89.0 PPG (12th-best). The Wildcats have the sixth-best adjusted offensive efficiency, racking up 94.3 PPG (third-best).

Miami features a veteran group of guards in Wooga Poplar (18.0 PPG), Matthew Cleveland (16.8 PPG), and Nijel Pack (16.0 PPG). Per usual, Kentucky features talented freshmen guards, including Rob Dillingham (16.0 PPG), D.J. Wagner (14.5 PPG), and Reed Sheppard (10.8 PPG). Senior guard Antonio Reeves (19.0 PPG) rounds out the Wildcats' exciting backcourt rotation.

As the player averages suggest, these teams are loaded with talented scorers. The projected total sits at 164.5, meaning we will likely be in store for a high-scoring affair. The point spread looks more enticing, though, with UK favored by 6.5 points.

I get it -- playing in the Wildcats' Rupp Arena is one of college basketball's most daunting challenges. However, this feels disrespectful to the Hurricanes. Miami is a team that has been there and done that as a squad with back-to-back Elite Eight appearances.

The Hurricanes' defense has been a weakness, ranking 101st in adjusted defensive efficiency. However, Kentucky's defense ranks 66th in that category while surrendering 72.2 PPG (bottom 44%). The Wildcats' perimeter defense will be a major concern tonight, for it is in the bottom 4% of allowed three-point attempts per game.

Miami has the nation's most efficient three-point attack, shooting a stunning 45.8% from beyond the arc. The Canes' guard play and three-point shooting should keep this one close.

The Wildcats could sneak by with the win as Miami gives up 28.4 three-point attempts per game (bottom 4%). Still, I like Miami to come up with the cover. Buckle up, this could be a wild ride with both teams among the nation's top seven squads in points from three-pointers.

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.