Wolves @ Bulldogs

2025-12-22T19:00Z | Stegeman Coliseum | SECN+
Line: UGA -35.5 | O/U: 169.5 | WGA: 6-5 | UGA: 10-1

Listen, when I see a 35.5-point spread in college hoops, my first instinct is to laugh. Georgia's sitting pretty at 10-1, West Georgia's treading water at 6-5, and the books are basically asking us to believe this turns into a blowout of biblical proportions.

Sure, the Bulldogs are money at home - they've been dominant at Stegeman Coliseum all season. But here's the thing: teams don't always cover these bloated numbers when everyone expects them to. West Georgia's no world-beater, but they've competed against better competition than their record suggests. They'll keep it competitive early, maybe even hang around longer than anyone thinks.

The total at 169.5 screams under to me. Georgia's going to control the pace, milk the clock when they get ahead, and West Georgia doesn't have the firepower to push tempo when trailing big. This one could get ugly, but 35.5 points is a massive cushion.

Eagles @ Cavaliers

2025-12-22T23:00Z | John Paul Jones Arena | ACC Network
Line: UVA -28.5 | O/U: 157.5 | AMER: 7-5 | UVA: 10-1

That 28.5-point spread is sitting in the danger zone - close to a key number and big enough to make you think twice. Virginia at 10-1 has been dominant this season, and Tony Bennett's pack-line defense is suffocating as always. American at 7-5 has been respectable in the Patriot League, but this is a massive step up in competition.

Here's what I'm watching: Virginia controls pace like no one else in college basketball. They're going to grind this game to a halt, limit possessions, and make American execute in the half court. The Eagles don't have the offensive firepower to keep up if Virginia gets rolling.

The total at 157.5 feels about right. Virginia's games are notoriously low-scoring, and they've shown they can suffocate opponents into ugly shooting nights. American's going to struggle to get clean looks against that length and discipline. Look for UVA to take care of business at home.

Pirates @ Heels

2025-12-23T01:00Z | Dean E. Smith Center | ACC Network
Line: UNC -27.5 | O/U: 144.5 | ECU: 5-7 | UNC: 11-1

Look, ECU's been struggling all season and now they're walking into the Dean Dome against a UNC team that's been absolutely demolishing opponents at home. The Tar Heels at 11-1 turn that building into a house of horrors, and the Pirates at 5-7 aren't equipped to handle this environment.

Here's the thing though: ECU's got nothing to lose and everything to prove. They're basically playing spoiler ball at this point, and sometimes that's when teams play their loosest, most dangerous basketball. UNC's been covering big numbers all year, but 27.5 is getting into blowout territory where guys start coasting.

But honestly, UNC's just too loaded and too locked in at home. They've got the talent advantage at every position, and the crowd is going to be suffocating. The Tar Heels will pull away in the second half like they always do - the only question is whether they keep their foot on the gas for 40 minutes.

Wildcats @ Jayhawks

2025-12-23T01:00Z | Allen Fieldhouse | ESPN+
Line: KU -16.5 | O/U: 135.5 | DAV: 8-3 | KU: 9-3

Allen Fieldhouse isn't just home court advantage - it's psychological warfare. That place has been breaking visiting teams' souls for decades. Davidson at 8-3 has played well this year, but those numbers don't mean much when 16,300 fans are screaming at you from the opening tip in one of college basketball's most hostile environments.

Kansas at 9-3 has been up and down this season, but they turn into a different animal in Lawrence. Bill Self's program knows how to protect home court, and Davidson simply hasn't faced an atmosphere like this. The Wildcats run great offense, but they're going to struggle to execute against Kansas pressure with that crowd noise.

Here's the thing - that 16.5 number looks fat until you realize most teams lose by 20+ in that building. Davidson's got some fight, they're well-coached, and they've got shooters. But they're walking into college basketball's most intimidating venue against a program that's made visitors miserable for decades. Kansas takes care of business at home.

Tigers @ Illini

2025-12-23T01:00Z | Enterprise Center | FS1
Line: ILL -8.5 | O/U: 154.5 | MIZ: 10-2 | ILL: 8-3

This is the Braggin' Rights game at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, and it's going to be electric. Missouri at 10-2 has been one of the pleasant surprises in college basketball, while Illinois at 8-3 has been solid but not spectacular. The neutral site in St. Louis should slightly favor Mizzou since it's closer to their campus.

Here's what makes this interesting: Missouri has been excellent away from home this year. Dennis Gates has this Tigers squad playing with confidence and swagger, and they're not backing down from anyone. Illinois is talented, but they've had some rough patches and haven't been as consistent as you'd expect.

The 8.5-point spread feels about right for a neutral site rivalry game. Both teams have legitimate talent, both teams want this one badly, and the atmosphere is going to be incredible. This has the feel of a game that stays close throughout, with the outcome decided in the final minutes.

Wildcats @ Wildcats

2025-12-23T02:00Z | McKale Memorial Center | ESPN+
Line: ARIZ -40.5 | O/U: 153.5 | BCU: 3-8 | ARIZ: 11-0

Arizona is unbeaten at 11-0 and playing some of the best basketball in the country. The Wildcats have been absolutely dominant at McKale Center, and Bethune-Cookman at 3-8 is walking into one of the toughest environments in college basketball. This is going to be a long night for the Wildcats from Florida.

Here's the thing about 40.5-point spreads - they're massive, but Arizona's been covering big numbers all season. Tommy Lloyd has this team playing beautiful offense, they're deep, and they defend at an elite level. B-CU doesn't have the personnel to stay on the floor with these guys.

The talent gap is real here. Arizona's got future NBA players at multiple positions, and Bethune-Cookman is struggling to beat SWAC opponents. This has the feel of a game that's over by halftime, with Arizona cruising to a 45+ point victory. The Wildcats take care of business and stay perfect.

Eagles @ Cougars

2025-12-23T02:00Z | Marriott Center | ESPN+
Line: BYU -35.5 | O/U: 163.5 | EWU: 2-10 | BYU: 11-1

BYU at 11-1 has been one of the surprise stories in college basketball, and they're not slowing down. The Cougars have been dominant at home in the Marriott Center, and Eastern Washington at 2-10 is the perfect opponent for a statement game. This one could get ugly in a hurry.

Eastern Washington is in the middle of a brutal season. The Eagles have been getting crushed by everyone on their schedule, and they don't have the talent to compete with a ranked BYU team. The Cougars have the size, the shooters, and the depth to bury an overmatched opponent.

That 35.5-point spread looks massive, but it's justified. BYU needs to stay sharp before Big 12 play heats up, and they're going to use this game as a tune-up. Eastern Washington's just trying to get through the season at this point. Look for the Cougars to cover comfortably and keep their momentum rolling.