College Basketball Picks Today: 3 Predictions and Player Props for Friday, Nov. 13

Today’s Best College Basketball Bets in Summary

• Georgetown +4.5 (-110)
• Virginia -5.5 (-106)
• Arizona -2.5 (-112)

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The college basketball season gives us plentiful betting options with so many teams in action each day.

Let's check out FanDuel Sportsbook's college basketball odds and select some of the best bets for Friday.

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 (Friday)

Georgetown +4.5 (-110)

Georgetown at Clemson — 6:00 p.m. ET

Georgetown enters Friday 3-0, and there is enough of a statistical case to take the points on the road.

KenPom ranks the Hoyas 84th nationally with a +10.27 adjusted efficiency margin while Clemson sits 73rd at +12.80. That is a fairly modest gap for a matchup in which Georgetown is getting 4.5 points, particularly when the Tigers’ adjusted defensive efficiency is 103.1, compared with 102.8 for the Hoyas.

Both offenses are rated more highly than their respective defenses, but the slower projected possession count could make the points particularly valuable. Georgetown checks in at 69.3 adjusted possessions per 40 minutes, with Clemson at 68.5, according to KenPom.

In a game that might not offer a ton of possessions to create separation, I am backing the underdog Hoyas to cover.

Virginia -5.5 (-106)

Virginia at Maryland — 8:00 p.m. ET

Virginia has started 4-0 and brings a clear efficiency advantage into its road meeting with Maryland.

KenPom has the Cavaliers 10th nationally with a +27.63 adjusted efficiency margin, compared with 62nd and +14.14 for the Terrapins. Virginia is 11th nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency (121.1) and 15th in adjusted defensive efficiency (93.5), giving it a more balanced profile than Maryland’s as the Terps rank 49th offensively (115.1) and 79th defensively (101.0).

The Cavaliers’ two-way edge gives them several routes to a cover. Their offense is well positioned against a Maryland defense that has not rated as highly while Virginia’s defense should make efficient scoring more difficult for the home team.

The double-digit gap between these teams in KenPom’s adjusted efficiency margin is a compelling argument for taking UVA at -5.5.

Arizona -2.5 (-112)

Arizona at Auburn — 9:00 p.m. ET

Arizona travels to face Auburn in a marquee early-season clash between two top-25 KenPom teams.

The Wildcats rank 12th with a +26.05 adjusted efficiency margin while the Tigers are 21st at +23.04. Both teams are strong offensively — Arizona ranks 15th in adjusted offensive efficiency (120.0), with Auburn 18th (119.5) — but the Wildcats have the superior defensive number. Arizona ranks 18th in adjusted defensive efficiency (93.9), compared with Auburn’s 34th-ranked mark (96.5).

Arizona’s ability to get stops could be the difference in what should otherwise be a competitive, high-level matchup.

The Wildcats also play faster by KenPom’s adjusted tempo measure (73.0 possessions per 40 minutes versus Auburn’s 70.5), giving them chances to leverage their efficiency advantage.

Winning at Auburn is a challenge, but the combination of slightly better offense and a stronger adjusted defense makes Arizona attractive at a short spread.

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.

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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.