Vanderbilt, Illinois Amongst The Best Thursday College Basketball Bets

As we inch closer and closer to the insanity that is March Madness, no team can afford to fall in a College Basketball Bets upset this time of year.

Two teams looking to avoid exactly that will take the court when Vanderbilt and Minnesota host tough opponents Thursday evening.

Alabama Crimson Tide (15-7 SU, 9-9 ATS) at No. 24 Vanderbilt Commodores (16-6 SU, 10-7-1 ATS)

Thursday, February 10: 9:00 p.m. ESPN2

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College Basketball Betting Odds:

Alabama: +6 ½

Vanderbilt: -6 ½

Starting in the SEC, two teams that are fighting for their NCAA Tournament livelihoods will get together Thursday. One team was expected to be here, the other, not so much.

That surprising team is the Alabama Crimson Tide, where coach Anthony Grant is doing as good a coaching job as anyone in the country. Alabama has now won five straight conference games (4-1 against the spread in that stretch), and has seized control in the SEC West.

They are coming off maybe their most impressive win of the season on Saturday at Tennessee, where they defeated the Volunteers 65-60 in overtime.

However, the Crimson Tide have yet to play at a visiting arena as daunting as Memorial Coliseum at Vanderbilt. The Commodores are 12-1 at home this season, with wins against teams like Marquette and St. Mary’s, each of which are expected to make the NCAA Tournament.

Look for an especially big game from Vandy guard John Jenkins, who is one of the SEC’s top scorers at over 19 points a game.

This young Alabama team is frisky and fun, but going on the road to one of the toughest environments in college basketball, we just can’t see them stealing a College Basketball Bets win.

Take the Commodores Thursday night.

College Basketball Bets Pick: Vanderbilt -6 ½

Illinois Fighting Illini (15-8 SU, 12-11 ATS) at No. 25 Minnesota Golden Gophers (16-7 SU, 10-13 ATS)

Thursday, February 10: 9:00 p.m. ESPN

College Basketball Betting Odds:

Illinois: +2

Minnesota: -2

Next up, we head out to the Big Ten, where two teams desperate for a win will get together on the campus of the University of Minnesota. With Illinois and Minnesota a combined 1-6 in their last seven games, who will get a much needed win?

At home, it seems like Minnesota is the smart bet, thanks in large part to low post stud Trevor Mbakwe. With JaJuan Johnson and Jared Sullinger in this league, Mbakwe never gets credit as one of the elite big men in the Big Ten, but he is, averaging 13 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Still, basketball is a guard’s game, which is why we’ve got to take the Illini to get the College Basketball Bets victory here. While the Gophers have struggled since an injury took Al Nolen out of their lineup (they’re 1-3 without him), Illinois still has the luxury of maybe the best point in the league with Demetri McCamey.

While McCamey hasn’t quite been himself lately, it’s hard to argue that’s he’s still elite when at his best. The senior is averaging 14.7 points per game, as well as 6.7 assists, which is seventh nationally.

With both teams struggling, this may not be the prettiest of games, but with McCamey in their backcourt, we expect Illinois to do enough to get the win.

When it comes to the College Basketball Bets, Illinois is the play to make!

College Basketball Bets Pick: Illinois +2