We're now on Day 5 of Feast Week, and the college hoops slates are still delivering. We've got another jam-packed day with intriguing matchups all day long.
Top College Basketball Best Bets for Today
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Oklahoma 
vs. Marquette 
In comparing these teams, the most significant edge belongs to Oklahoma's offensive attack, by far the best unit in this game. The Sooners rank 38th in adjusted efficiency and are proficient in many vital areas. For example, they rank in the top 90 in the nation in effective field goal percentage, turnover percentage, offensive rebounding percentage, and two-point field goal percentage. Marquette isn't awful defensively, ranking 63rd in adjusted efficiency, but it comparatively ranks lower than Oklahoma in all the aforementioned categories.
When playing in the other direction, Oklahoma doesn't look nearly as good, ranking 126th in defensive efficiency, although Marquette hasn't looked much better offensively, ranking 98th. The problem for the Golden Eagles is that they have struggled to knock down long-range shots, making just 31 percent of their three-point attempts. The Sooners' best defensive trait is arguably their interior defense, holding opponents to 48 percent on two-point attempts, so Marquette is in major trouble if its shooting woes continue.
Oklahoma's defense may have a letdown, but I'm betting its offense will pull away in the second half. I'm taking the Sooners.
College Basketball Best Bet: Oklahoma -2.5
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Florida 
vs. Providence 
The defending champs were humbled on Thanksgiving, losing to TCU, 84-80.
Despite the loss, Florida still figures to be a threat to defend its title, boasting elite numbers at both ends of the court. Specifically, the Gators rank eighth in defensive efficiency among all D-1 teams and are similarly near the top of the nation in several key areas. Florida is holding opponents to under 44 percent on two-point attempts, and under 25 percent on three-point attempts, which together yield an effective field goal percentage allowed that ranks seventh among all D-1 teams. The elite interior defense is critical in this matchup because Providence has extensively relied on points in the paint. The Friars are outside the top 200 teams in offensive rebounding, free-throw attempt rate, and three-point field goal percentage, so they don't have much of a chance if they can't make their inside shots.
The mismatch is even more egregious at the other end of the court. Florida has an offensive efficiency rating that ranks 26th, and it's facing a Providence defense that ranks 103rd. Similarly, the Gators have the fifth-highest offensive rebounding percentage among D-1 teams, while the Friars rank 146th in defensive rebounding.
The spread is large, but I believe Providence will have a hard time keeping up with Florida, especially if the Gators maintain their excellent defense. I'm laying the points with Florida.
College Basketball Best Bet: Florida -9.5
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Colorado 
vs. Washington 
The most glaring weak link in this game is Colorado's defense, and it's not close. The Buffaloes are ranked 146th in adjusted defensive efficiency, while their offense and the Huskies rank in the top 65 at both ends of the court.
It's hard to win any game with a porous defense, and it's even more challenging when facing a team that often gets second-chance opportunities. Washington ranks in the top 50 in the nation in both offensive rebounding percentage and free-throw attempt rate, enabling it to score points even when it misses its initial shot on a possession.
The saving grace for Colorado has been its offense, although Washington appears well-equipped to defend. The Huskies rank in the top 100 of the nation in effective field goal percentage allowed, defensive rebounding, and free-throw attempt rate.
If the Buffaloes were better defensively, this pick might be different, but right now, this vulnerability is impossible to ignore. I'm going with Huskies in this spot.
College Basketball Best Bet: Washington -4.5
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Friday College Basketball Best Bets:
Here's a recap of my best college basketball bets for Friday:
- Oklahoma -2.5
- Florida -9.5
- Washington -4.5
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.
