College Basketball Betting Picks for Wednesday 11/15/23: An Undervalued Favorite

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

Cornell at George Mason

Cornell ML (+114)

A pair of undefeated teams square off tonight as the 3-0 Cornell Big Red take on the 2-0 George Mason Patriots.

And I'm all over the Big Red.

George Mason enters tonight ranked 124th on KenPom. They're down at 220th in adjusted offensive efficiency (100.9 points scored per 100 possessions) but up at 67th in adjusted defensive efficiency (97.3 points allowed per 100).

The Patriots love to slow the game down and muck things up. They average just 67.5 adjusted possessions per 40 minutes (322nd) and subsequently rank 12th nationally in points allowed (53.0 per game). Opponents are shooting just 31.5% from the floor (fifth) against George Mason, while the Patriots have posted the 66th-highest total rebound rate (56.8%) in the country.

Offensively, George Mason makes their living from deep. They've attempted 44.1% of their shots from three (72nd) and are shooting 35.6% from distance (129th).

They returned just 25.3% of last season's minutes but did bring back their third-leading scorer, Ronald Polite III. Through two games, Polite has averaged only 7.5 points per game as he's ceded way to transfers Amari Kelly (15.5 points; 6.5 rebounds) and Keyshawn Hall (10.5 points; 10.0 rebounds).

Cornell is right in front of George Mason on KenPom, coming in at No. 123. The Big Red are the polar opposite of their opponents. Cornell ranks just 187th in adjusted defensive efficiency (103.5 points allowed per 100) but 78th in adjusted offensive efficiency (107.3 points scored per 100). They're also one of the fastest-paced teams in the country, averaging a robust 74.7 possessions per 40 minutes (32nd).

Cornell is one of the most experienced teams in the nation, returning 79% of minutes from last year's 17-win team. That includes five of their six leading scorers.

They've been an incredibly balanced offensive team thus far as six players have averaged double-digit points -- led by Cooper Noaard (13.7), Sean Hansen (12.7), and Nazir Williams (11).

Cornell isn't an explosive offensive rebounding team, but they do a good job on the glass overall with a 55% total rebound rate (96th). So far, 46.3% of their shots have come from beyond the arc (44th), and they shoot a stellar 39% from deep (60th).

That's where Cornell has the advantage tonight. Not only are they a much more experienced unit, but they can get hot from deep in a hurry. Considering how close these squads line up in the advanced ratings, getting plus-odds for the better offensive team to win outright feels like a real value.

Coppin State at Louisville

Louisville -16.5 (-115)

This isn't exactly the best time to bet on Louisville basketball. The Cardinals are 0-2 against the spread this season after going 13-19 against the spread last year. Though they were favored in just four games a year ago, they failed to cover all four times.

But tonight, tonight is the night the Cards cover as a favorite.

That's because Louisville hosts Coppin State. Coppin State is 0-3 straight up and 1-2 against the spread this season. They went 9-23 straight up and 11-20-1 against the spread last season. The Eagles have already played a team in Louisville's conference, Virginia Tech. The Hokies won 100-55.

Coppin State is real bad.

How bad?

Of the 362 Division-I men's basketball teams ranked on KenPom, Coppin State ranks 360th. They're 361st in adjusted offensive efficiency (90.5 points scored per 100 possessions) and 346th in adjusted defensive efficiency (110.9 points allowed per 100).

They have just one player averaging double-digit points -- Justin Winston, averaging 11.3 points per game on 33.3% shooting.

Of their top six minutes leaders, only one (Winston, who's 6'8") stands taller than 6'5". That explains their atrocious 32.2% rebound rate, 360th in the country.

Other notable statistics the Eagles fall outside the top 300 in: turnover rate (18.3%; 308th); assist rate (34.5%; 347th); field goal percentage (35.3%; 347th); and three-point field goal percentage (23.7%; 337th).

Look, Lousiville is not good. I'd go as far as to say they're bad.

But they're not Coppin State-bad.

The Cardinals slide in at No. 183 on KenPom -- 143rd in adjusted offensive efficiency (104) and 212th in adjusted defensive efficiency (104.4). They've put up a 53.7% total rebound rate (124th) and are shooting 44.1% from the floor (207th).

Louisville has some real D-I talent. Mike James (21.0 points per game), Tre White (14.0), Skyy Clark (11.5), and JJ Traynor (10.0) all average double-digit points. Big man Brandon Huntley-Hatfield is pulling in 12.0 rebounds and racking up three stocks (steals plus blocks) a night.

It's been a while since the Cardinals got to trounce an inferior opponent on their home floor. Tonight's the night. They should cruise past this 16.5-point line, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Louisville's offense eclipse their 83.5-point total, either.

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.