Our free College Basketball picks are out for Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022! Make sure you check our expert College Basketball picks before the action kicks off.
Look below to find our free College Basketball picks for the best games on today’s schedule!
#7 Duke @ Virginia – 7pm ET
This ACC matchup is high stakes as always. As the seventh ranked Duke Blue Devils will travel to Virginia to look to avenge their home loss earlier this season. As both teams still have title and tournament hopes hanging in the balance.
Marko Nadin
The Virginia Cavaliers are 5th in the ACC with a 17-10 record but are a much better team than the record shows. They have won 5 of the last 6 games and are coming off a 74-71 win over Miami. The Cavaliers have the 13th best defense in the nation allowing just over 60 points per game but at the same time, they score only 63.4 per game. Virginia has covered the spread in 8 of the last 11 games against teams with a winning record. Virginia defeated Duke 69-68 in their last meeting two weeks ago.
The Duke Blue Devils are on top of the ACC with a 23-4 record. They are on the track to win the conference but are having a challenging schedule for the rest of the regular season as they play 3 of the last 4 games on the road. Duke has won the last 4 and 9 of the last 10 games. They are coming off a 88-70 win over Florida State. Duke scores 80.1 points per game which ranks them 15th in the nation. The Blue Devils have covered the spread in 4 of the last 5 road games. Duke has won 6 of the last 10 games against Virginia.
Marko’s College Basketball Pick: Duke (-205)
Tony Battalio
The Duke Blue Devils are coming into this game on top of the Atlantic Coast Conference as they are inching closer to another regular season title. In coach K’s last season the Blue Devils are getting hotter than ever as they look to send their legendary coach out on a high note. Duke comes into this game ranked 7th in the nation with a record of 23-4 on the season and a record of 13-3 inside of conference play. They currently hold a one game lead over Notre Dame and need another couple of wins to seal the deal heading into the conference tournament.
enjoying every moment 🙏🐐 pic.twitter.com/iSvio3LHqf
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) February 22, 2022
The Virginia Cavaliers are having a down year by their standards. They come into this game with a record of 17-10 and need a victory as they are sitting on the bubble, only weeks away from selection Sunday. They are currently 11-6 inside the conference as well as they are looking to finish in the top four and get a coveted double bye for the ACC Conference Tournament. Virginia will be looking to complete the sweep over Duke after beating them last time on the road in Durham. As for the result of this game, however, I can’t see that happening twice as I have Duke coming away with the victory in this one.
Tony’s College Basketball Pick: Duke (-205)
Noah Dunlap
The Virginia Cavaliers come into this one fighting for their tournament lives. Despite a 17-10 record, they’re a solid team, and one that plays the kind of basketball that we’ve grown accustomed to from them under head coach Tony Bennett. They play really good defense, but their offense remains extremely suspect, which is certainly going to be the knock against them when it comes to their bubble status. The good news is that they’ve won five of their last six, and also have a good win over Duke already this season.
Duke, on the other hand, comes into this one solidly in the field, sitting at 7th in the latest polls, and look like one of the most talented teams in the country. They enter with a 23-4 record, including 13-3 in ACC play, which has them leading the conference. Despite being upset by the Cavs earlier in the year at Cameron Indoor, I think this Blue Devils squad is just too talented to get swept by UVA this season, in Coach K’s last year at the helm. Give me Duke in a close one.
Noah’s College Basketball Pick: Duke (-205)
Xavier @ #11 Providence – 7pm ET
This Big East contest is going to be a good one. As the Xavier Musketeers take on the 11th ranked Providence Friars in a huge conference game. As both teams are still looking for wins to boost their NCAA tournament resumes.
Marko Nadin
The Providence Friars are on top of the Big East with a 22-3 record but are facing three tough opponents by the end of the regular season. The Friars have won 9 of the last 10 games losing to Villanova in that span. They are coming off a 71-70 overtime win over Butler in a game in which they were down by 18 points in the first half. Providence has won 3 of the last 4 games against Xavier, most recently 65-62 on the road in January. The Friars have not covered the spread in the last 5 home games.
The Xavier Musketeers are 6th in the Big East with a 17-9 record. They had a great start to the season winning 11 of their first 12 games but have dropped since then. Xavier has lost 4 of the last 5 games and is coming off a 72-61 loss to Connecticut. The Musketeers have covered the spread only three times in the last 9 games and only three times in the last 12 games against a team with a winning record. They have played under the total points margin in 4 of the last 5 road games.
Marko’s College Basketball Pick: Providence (-118)
Tony Battalio
The Xavier Musketeers come into this game still looking for more wins to put them over the top and secure themselves at least an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament. They already have a few resume worthy victories this season like wins over Ohio State and UConn. However, their record of 17-9 still doesn’t seem like enough for them to get into the Big Dance just yet. If they can manage to win two or three of their last four games and make a run in the Big East conference tournament, their spot should be clinched. Xavier is currently 7-8 inside the Big East, which has been their downfall so far this season.
Hey students – Wednesday is game day. Buses will start at 5:30 pm. Tip is 7 pm vs Xavier. We need your support on these last two. #gofriars pic.twitter.com/psO8zTo2Br
— Providence MBB (@PCFriarsmbb) February 22, 2022
The Providence Friars are sitting just outside of the top ten in the nation at the moment. They have already virtually locked in their spot in the NCAA tournament but will still be looking to improve their seeding over the next few weeks. They come into this game with a record of 22-3 on the season and on top of the Big East at the moment with a record of 12-2 inside of conference play. They have all the tools they need to make a deep run in this year’s tournament so it wouldn’t shock me if they end up in the Elite Eight. As for the result of this contest I have Providence picking up the victory at home.
Tony’s College Basketball Pick: Providence (-118)
Noah Dunlap
Can Xavier get their season turned around in this one, as they take on the Big East leading Providence Friars? The Musketeers started the year extremely hot, looking early on like they could be one of the best teams in the country, but since conference play has started, they’ve found themselves struggling a bit. They’re sitting at 17-9, which for the time being should be enough to get them in the tournament, but if they continue to struggle over the last two weeks that could change in a hurry. They’ve lost four of their last five, and it certainly won’t get any easier in this one.
Providence comes into this one locked into a spot in the Dance, as they sit at 22-3, leading the Big East, and despite their play slipping just a touch as of late, it’s only resulted in one recent loss, a close one to Villanova. Even with them being one of the bigger shocks of the season so far, they’ve proven to be one of the most balanced, disciplined teams in the country, and I think that shows in this one, as they host the Musketeers. Give me the Friars in this one, putting Xavier’s tournament hopes at even more risk.
Noah’s College Basketball Pick: Providence (-118)
TCU @ #20 Texas – 7pm ET
This Big 12 matchup has a ton of NCAA tournament implications. As the Horned Frogs travel to Austin to play the 20th ranked Longhorns in this one. Both teams could really use a big time resume boosting win.
Marko Nadin
The Texas Longhorns are 4th in the Big 12 with a 19-8 record including 15-2 at home. They have lost two of the last three games against Baylor and 61-55 in the last one to the state rival Texas Tech. The Longhorns allow only 57.7 points per game which ranks them third in the nation and their opponents are shooting only 30% from the three-point line. Texas has covered the spread only 4 times in their last 15 home games against teams with winning records. They have won the last 6 games against TCU, most recently 73-50 in January.
The TCU Horned Frogs are 5th in the Big 12 with a 17-8 record. They were on a three-game losing streak before winning 77-67 against West Virginia in the last round. TCU is among the 10 worst teams in Division I with shooting only 29.6% from the three-point line. Playing against a defense like the Longhorns they will be even less productive which will cost them another double-digit loss. TCU has covered the spread in 6 of their last 8 road games but that will not be the case when they visit their state rival.
Marko’s College Basketball Pick: Texas (-365)
Tony Battalio
The Horned Frogs will be looking for a resume building win to get themselves over the bubble hump as selection Sunday is quickly approaching. TCU comes into this game with a record of 17-8 on the season as they are still searching for that one resume defining victory to boost them. TCU’s best win so far this season came against a ranked LSU team back in January during the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. The Horned Frogs could really use this huge upset on the road against Texas in this one as they are currently 6-7 inside of conference play which has them in fifth place.
With the last game in historic Frank Erwin Center officially a sell out, there’s just ONE final chance to purchase tickets for the game on Wednesday night 🤘#HookEm
— #20 Texas Men’s Basketball (@TexasMBB) February 22, 2022
The previously mentioned Texas Longhorns come into this game with a record of 19-8 on the season. They are currently in fourth place in the Big 12 Conference with a record of 8-6 as well, which is likely where they will find the regular season barring a collapse. They are also currently ranked 20th in the nation and will be looking to improve their chances of an at-large berth just in case they don’t win the Big 12 conference tournament. As for the result of this game I have Texas getting the win at home over TCU, to pick up win number 20 on the season.
Tony’s College Basketball Pick: Texas (-365)
Noah Dunlap
Despite similar records, I have one of these teams in the field as of right now, with one on the outside looking in. Texas comes in at 19-8, which is good but not great, but they do have a win or two that should be enough to bump their resume up just enough to get them in the field, barring some collapse down the stretch. They play really good defense, but a shaky offense has been their downfall all year long, and it’s something that is going to have to improve if they plan on making a real run.
TCU, on the other hand, comes in at 17-8, with the same number of losses and only two feeerr wins than their opponents in this one, but in my opinion they’re on the outside looking in. The key reason for that is that they don’t have any real resume boosting wins that would give them an edge over other bubble teams, and they’ve lost three out of four, which doesn’t help in the “what have you done for me lately” category that the committee often looks at. They don’t shoot the ball well, which against a good Longhorn defense could be problematic, so give me Texas at home to sneak away with a reasonably close victory.
Noah’s College Basketball Pick: Texas (-365)
LSU @ #6 Kentucky – 9pm ET
The LSU Tigers will travel to play in one of the most historic venues in the sport. They come into the game needing a huge win, while Kentucky needs a win to keep their hopes alive of a one seed. It is sure to be a good one when this Classic SEC rivalry resumes.
Marko Nadin
The Kentucky Wildcats as usual are one of the best teams in the nation currently standing second in the SEC with a 22-5 record including a perfect 16-0 at home. The only ranked team they play by the end of the regular season is Arkansas, meaning that they will have their chance to climb to the top of the conference standings. Kentucky has won 7 of the last 8 games. After losing to Tennessee they bounced back with a 90-81 win over Alabama in the last round. The Wildcats have covered the spread in 7 of the last 10 games and will do that again when LSU visits them.
The LSU Tigers are 5th in the SEC with a 19-8 record including 3-6 on the road. They had their best start in decades winning the first 12 and 14 of the first 15 games of the season but haven’t been the same team since then. They have lost 4 of the last 7 games and are coming off a 77-75 loss to South Carolina in their last game. LSU has won the last game against Kentucky 65-60 in January. They have covered the spread only once in their last 5 road games and only twice in their last 9 games overall.
Marko’s College Basketball Pick: Kentucky (-295)
Tony Battalio
The LSU Tigers are coming into this game looking to pick up one of the biggest wins of the entire college basketball season. When they travel to Lexington and enter Rupp Arena on Wednesday night, a win over the Kentucky Wildcats would likely lock the Tigers into a spot in the NCAA Tournament. LSU comes into this game with a record of 19-8 on the season. They are currently unranked, but a win would put them into the top 25. They are in sixth place in the SEC at the moment with a record of 7-7, a win would put them above the Alabama Crimson Tide for fifth but a top four finish is likely out of the question at this point.
“No surrender, no retreat.”
One game at a time. pic.twitter.com/b8L5NVJd8V
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) February 22, 2022
The Kentucky Wildcats look ready to take their place back at the top of the mountain of college basketball this season. They come into this game as one of the top teams in the nation as they are ranked just outside of the top five of the nation at number six. Kentucky is currently 22-5 on the season and sitting in second place in the SEC with a record of 11-3 as they are only a game behind the Auburn Tigers right now. As for the result of this game I have Kentucky picking up the victory over LSU and staying in the hunt for a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Tony’s College Basketball Pick: Kentucky (-295)
Noah Dunlap
These are two teams coming into this one with different things in mind. The Kentucky Wildcats come into this one with an eye on being a potential one-seed in the NCAA tournament, as they’re ranked 6th currently, with a 22-5 record. They’ve played great ball for much of the year, led by Oscar Tshiebwe and TyTy Washington, but the one concern is they’ve struggled for the most part against the best teams on their roster. Outside of a huge win on the road against Kansas, and splitting one of two with a good Tennessee team, they’ve lost virtually every big game they’ve played, which should at least be something to keep an eye on.
LSU, however, comes into this one trying to make sure they’re able to at least lock up a berth in the tournament first and foremost befor they worry about seeding. The Tigers started the year great, running through non-conference play with no real issues, before struggling mightily in SEC play. This has dropped their overall record to 19-8, and while I think they’re on right now, they don’t have any big time wins, which means if they struggle over the last two weeks that status could be in jeopardy. While this would be a huge win for LSU, I don’t like their chances of traveling north to Rupp and being able to walk away with the win, so give me the Wildcats in what they Mrs up being a good basketball game.
Noah’s College Basketball Pick: Kentucky (-295)
#13 Wisconsin @ Minnesota – 9pm ET
The 13th ranked Wisconsin Badgers hit the road to Minnesota for this one. As they look to stay in the race for the Big Ten regular season championship. While the Golden Gophers of Minnesota look to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive with a victory.
Marko Nadin
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are 13th in the Big Ten with a 13-12 record. They started the season winning 10 of the first 11 games and then went on to lose 11 of the last 14. After two consecutive 20+ points losses to Ohio State and Penn State, Minnesota defeated Northwestern 77-60 in their last game. Minnesota has not covered the spread in the last 8 games following a at the spread win. They also haven’t covered the spread in the last 5 home games against a team with a winning record.
The Wisconsin Badgers are second in the Big 10 with a 21-5 record including 7-2 on the road. They have won 4 of the last 5 games and are coming off a 77-63 win over Michigan in their last game. The game was marked by the incident with Wolverines coach Juwan Howard attacking one of the Badgers assistant coaches. Wisconsin has won 8 of the last 10 games against Minnesota and will win their fourth consecutive against the Gophers on Wednesday night. The Badgers have covered the spread in 8 of their last 11 road games.
Marko’s College Basketball Pick: Wisconsin (-194)
Tony Battalio
The Wisconsin Badgers are still on a mission to win the Big Ten regular season championship. Even after their issues with Michigan in their last game it is likely that the Badgers will remain focused on their goal. They currently sit in third place in the Big Ten only a half game behind the Purdue Boilermakers at the moment. They have an overall record of 21-5 on the season as they are ranked 13th in the country and are one of the top teams in the best conference in the nation. The Badgers also hold a head to head win over Purdue with another game against Purdue upcoming so they control their own destiny.
Big Ten Player of the Week 👑
Congrats, @JohnnyDavis!
💥 https://t.co/N74SMYohvQ#HeresJohnny pic.twitter.com/MQomSBU9pM
— Wisconsin Basketball (@BadgerMBB) February 21, 2022
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are coming into this game with a record of 13-12. Minnesota needs to win out and make a deep run in the Big Ten conference tournament if they want any hope of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. Minnesota has failed to generate momentum all season long and have also failed to pick up much needed upsets when they have had the chance. Minnesota is 4-12 in the Big Ten conference which has them in 13th in the conference ahead of only Nebraska. As for the result of this game I don’t see it getting much better for the Golden Gophers as I have Wisconsin getting the easy win in this one.
Tony’s College Basketball Pick: Wisconsin (-194)
Noah Dunlap
I think this one gets ugly in a hurry. Minnesota just isn’t good. They come in at 13-12, including 4-12 in Big Ten play, and haven’t been able to pick up a single win that would have the potential to boost the Golden Gophers resume to try to sneak them into the tournament. Now they take on a Wisconsin team that is one of the best teams in the conference, and the country, and one that has been in the headlines for the past few days, but for different reasons.
The Badgers come into this one at 21-5 on the year, with a few big time wins that has boosted their resume even more than it normally would’ve been, but the one concern is that they do have a loss or two that you could argue they shouldn’t have. I’d like for them to be a bit more consistent as of late, if they want to make a deep run in March, but for this one, I like Johnny Davis and company to be looking forward to getting the Michigan scuffle behind them, and taking care of business against an overmatched Minnesota team would be a good start. Give me the Badgers in easy fashion, even with them having to go on the road in this one.
Noah’s College Basketball Pick: Wisconsin (-194)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
