Should No. 4 Pitt Be One of Your Wednesday College Basketball Picks?

Wednesday is the day to get in your College Basketball Betting Picks, as a slew of key games highlight the calendar.

Included, is the return of the No. 4 team in the country to action, as the Pitt Panthers take the court, after a dominating win Saturday night.

South Florida Bulls (8-18 SU, 12-11-1 ATS) at No. 4 Pittsburgh Panthers (23-2 SU, 11-9 ATS)

Wednesday, February 16: 7:00 p.m. ESPN3.com

[Off topic: by the way, do you want to get a 55% bonus on your first deposit here at BetOnline? If so JOIN NOW.]

College Basketball Betting Odds:

South Florida: +17 ½

Pittsburgh: -17 ½

That’s right, Saturday was a day for Pitt fans to rejoice, as the Panthers had maybe their most complete game of the season in a tight win over a tough Villanova in Philadelphia. Pitt played their usual brand of stifling defense, limiting Villanova to 36 percent shooting in a 57-54 win.

What was maybe most impressive about the win though, was that Pitt once again did it without their leading scorer Ashton Gibbs. The 6’4 senior missed his second straight game on Saturday after suffering an MCL sprain, and isn’t likely to return for this matchup with South Florida either. Of course all that meant was that it was time for other players to step up, including guard Brad Wanamaker.

The senior dropped 21 points in the win, and was helped by 15 points and seven boards from forward Nasir Robinson. With numbers like that, is it any wonder why Pitt is such a heavy favorite in Wednesday’s College Basketball Picks?

As for South Florida, well, it’s been another tough season for head coach Stan Heath and his Bulls. They are once again at the bottom of the basement in the Big East, with just a 2-11 conference record.

That doesn’t mean they aren’t playing hard though as South Florida has covered the betting odds in four of their last six games, including a near victory over Marquette last Wednesday night.

In a heartbreaking 59-58 defeat, South Florida led by seven at halftime and by nine with just nine minutes to go, but couldn’t hold on for victory. Augustus Gilchrist leads this team with an 11.9 point per game average.

However, that average tells you everything you need to know about Wednesday’s College Basketball Picks. Essentially, for as hard as they play, South Florida just doesn’t score that many points. They rank just 308th nationally, averaging a meager 62 points per game, and have been unable to top 60 in four of their last six games.

Which is why for all the talk about Pittsburgh’s scorers, it is their defense which will be the difference. The Panthers allow opponents just 61.6 points per game, and 40 percent shooting from the field, both of which rank them in the Top 35 nationally.

Sometimes making gambling wagers is simple science, and this appears to be one of those games. South Florida has one of the worst offenses in college basketball, and Pittsburgh plays some of the best defense.

Is it any wonder that the Panthers are our College Basketball Picks?

College Basketball Betting Picks: Pittsburgh -17 ½