This article is part of our College Basketball Picks series.
Tuesday's college hoops slate doesn't have as many marquee matchups as recent Tuesdays, but nevertheless, we've still got several potential tournament teams in the fray. Here are my predictions for a trio of games on Tuesday evening.
Top College Basketball Best Bets for Today
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South Carolina 
at Texas 
I've backed Texas several times over the past couple of weeks, only because I've liked its matchup in each instance. The Longhorns haven't won every game, but they're delivering on the spread, having covered in six of their last seven games, per Action Network.
Well, looking at Tuesday's matchup, it's hard not to like their chances of beating the market once again.
Since the SEC conference season began, South Carolina has the worst efficiency ratings on both offense and defense. This combo, and the latter in particular, gives us a strong chance of seeing a blowout. Additionally, the Gamecocks are allowing SEC opponents to make 59 percent of two-point attempts, the worst mark in the league, while also allowing the worst effective field goal percentage.
During the same span, the Longhorns' offense ranks second in the SEC in efficiency, while also making 58 percent of two-point attempts, the third-highest mark in the league. I would be remiss if I didn't note that Texas is also making 35 percent of shots from beyond the arc against conference opponents, giving them the second-highest effective field goal percentage.
Considering the significant and overall struggles of South Carolina, I'm betting the Longhorns will pile up the points and pull away in the second half.
College Basketball Best Bet: Texas -12.5
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Kent State 
at Toledo 
Kent State has colossal advantage on Tuesday.
Specifically, the Golden Flashes are among the best at collecting offensive boards, ranking 30th in offensive rebounding percentage. The Rockets, meanwhile, are among the worst defensively, ranking 334th in defensive rebounding percentage. These extreme standings have also played out exactly as expected during the conference season. Kent leads the MAC in offensive rebounding, while Toledo is last defensively.
Second-chance opportunities can make or break any team, and Toledo suffers more so than others, as it consistently gets destroyed in the paint. The Rockets are allowing opponents to make 57 percent of their two-point attempts, which is among the top 30 worst nationally.
Aside from rebounding, Kent State's offense has generally performed at a higher level than Toledo's defense, with the former edging the latter in the conference efficiency rankings (sixth vs. tenth).
At the other end of the court, we have a more even matchup, especially when we focus on the data from the most recent weeks. During league play, both Toledo's offense and Kent State's defense rank fourth in efficiency in the MAC. It's also worth pointing out that the Golden Flashes are holding MAC opponents to the second-lowest effective field goal percentage in the league, including 49 percent on two-point attempts, again the second-best mark.
Given Kent State's gigantic offensive advantage and its improved defense, I'm going for gold with the Golden Flashes.
College Basketball Best Bet: Kent State +1.5
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N.C. State at SMU 
SMU's defense is the biggest liability in this matchup.
The Mustangs' defense ranks 74th in adjusted efficiency and has performed at similar sub-par levels against league competition. Since the ACC conference season began, SMU ranks 12th or lower in efficiency, effective field goal percentage allowed, turnovers, rebounding, and two-point field goal percentage allowed (56 percent). This is concerning against any team, but even more so in this matchup because N.C. State's offense has been incredibly dynamic.
The Wolfpack's offense ranks in the top 20 nationally in adjusted efficiency, effective field goal percentage, turnovers, and three-point field goal percentage (40 percent). The latter deserves extra attention as N.C. State often hoists up three-pointers, 82nd in frequency, so the fact that they consistently hit from the perimeter makes it tough to ever count them out.
Defensively, N.C. State was torched a few times early in the season, but it has played at a high level against ACC opponents. During the conference season, the Wolfpack's defense ranks third in efficiency and turnover percentage, and it boasts the highest steal percentage in the league. The latter cannot be overlooked. The Mustangs have struggled taking care of the ball during league play, posting the second-worst turnover percentage in the ACC.
Overall, N.C. State has played better at both ends of the court. Road games are never a gimme, but I like the Wolfpack's odds in this one. I'm backing the pack.
College Basketball Best Bet: N.C. State -2.5
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Tuesday College Basketball Best Bets:
Here's a recap of my best college basketball bets for Tuesday:
- Texas -12.5
- Kent State +1.5
- N.C. State -2.5
For up-to-date information on the latest college basketball betting odds and props from multiple sources, check out the college basketball odds page on RotoWire.
