College Basketball Predictions, Picks & Odds Today: Saturday, 2/22
College basketball fans should prepare for yet another exhilarating day of competition this Saturday! As conference play intensifies, each possession, defensive effort and critical shot becomes increasingly significant.
Teams are not only vying for supremacy but also for essential positioning as the anticipation of March Madness builds. Given the stakes involved, it’s essential to analyze key insights and the best college basketball picks for today's highlighted contests!
College Basketball Predictions & Overview Today, 2/22
Tennessee aims to strengthen its position in the SEC against a formidable Texas A&M team, while Iowa State faces Houston in a crucial Big 12 encounter. Meanwhile, in New York, Duke and Illinois will engage in a non-conference matchup that could have implications for the postseason.
Today's games promise to deliver high levels of intensity, featuring significant confrontations among some of the premier programs in the country – setting us up for some phenomenal college basketball predictions today.
#6 Tennessee vs. #7 Texas A&M Predictions & Picks
Texas A&M money line (-130 at BetMGM) is the way to go in this SEC matchup to start our college basketball predictions today, especially since Tennessee has been struggling on the road.
The Volunteers have a record of just 4-5 in true away games this season, and their recent performance against the spread overall has been pretty weak, only covering in two out of their last six games. While their defense is impressive, allowing only 60.5 points per game, they tend to falter when playing away from home, and their offense often can't keep up.
On the other hand, Texas A&M has been strong at Reed Arena, with a 7-3 record in their last 10 games. Although the Aggies' shooting percentages aren't the best (42.3% FG, 31.3% 3PT), their rebounding (36.5 RPG, ranked 17th nationally) help them control the game and create second-chance points.
Wade Taylor IV is a key player, leading the team with 14.9 PPG, but will need to have a solid shooting night to give the Aggies a chance. Given Tennessee's inconsistency on the road and Texas A&M's advantage in rebounding and home-court strength, we’ll bet on Texas A&M and look for the Aggies to secure the home win.
#8 Iowa St. vs. #5 Houston Predictions & Picks
The Cougars have an amazing defense that is ranked first in the nation for points allowed per game, giving up only 57.7. They are really good at contesting shots inside the arc, limiting opponents to just 38.3% shooting.
Iowa State has a decent offense, but they struggle with three-point shooting at 34.8%, which is 124th in the country. This plays right into Houston's strengths since their biggest defensive issue is guarding the perimeter. On offense, Houston is really dangerous from long range, sitting at 7th in the nation with a 39.4% three-point shooting percentage.
With great shooters like Emanuel Sharp (42.3% from three) and LJ Cryer (40.8% from three), they should find plenty of chances against an Iowa State defense that allows 33.2% shooting from deep, ranking 169th. If Houston gets hot from three-point range, Iowa State will have a hard time keeping up.
Plus, Houston is playing at home, where they have been really strong all season. Iowa State has struggled on the road, losing by 17 to Kansas and by 7 to West Virginia. All this in consideration and it tells our college basketball picks today to take Houston -12.5 (-110 at BetMGM) in this one.
#3 Duke vs. Illinois Predictions & Picks
Duke's defense is designed to stifle teams like Illinois, which makes betting on Illinois under 73.5 total points (-118 at BetMGM) intriguing. The Blue Devils allow only 60.8 points per game, placing them sixth in the nation, and they restrict opponents to a shooting percentage of just 38.4%.
Although the Fighting Illini have a potent offense that averages 84.0 points per game, they struggle with efficiency, sitting at 181st in field goal percentage (44.8%) and a lowly 319th in three-point shooting (31.2%).
Facing Duke's size and length, particularly with players like Cooper Flagg and Khaman Maluach, the Fighting Illini will encounter defensive challenges they haven't faced this season. Illinois has also had trouble against strong defensive squads, failing to score over 73 points in losses to teams like Michigan State, Rutgers and Tennessee, which have similar defensive strengths.
Their heavy reliance on offensive rebounds (ranking first in rebounds per game) could be countered by Duke's top-10 rebounding defense. Moreover, Duke has consistently kept opponents under 70 points since conference play began.
Given Illinois' struggles from beyond the arc and Duke's ability to control the pace of the game while limiting fast breaks, it's likely that the Blue Devils will frustrate the Illini offense, capping off our college basketball predictions today. A final score in the mid-60s for Illinois seems probable.
College Basketball Odds & Betting Lines Today
Now that we’ve unveiled our official college basketball picks for today, we move on to the vital step of analyzing the betting lines!
Be sure to explore the college basketball odds at BetMGM Sportsbook for the games we've just discussed:
- Tennessee Volunteers (+105) vs. Texas A&M Aggies (-130)
- Spread: Tennessee +1.5 (-105) vs. Texas A&M +-1.5 (-115)
- Game Total: Over 130.5 (-110) vs. Under 130.5 (-110)
- Iowa State Cyclones (+625) vs. Houston Cougars (-1000)
- Spread: Iowa State +12.5 (-110) vs. Houston -12.5 (-110)
- Game Total: Over 131.5 (-110) vs. Under 131.5 (-110)
- Duke Blue Devils (-400) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (+310)
- Spread: Duke -8.5 (-110) vs. Illinois +8.5 (-110)
- Game Total: Over 155.5 (-115) vs. Under 155.5 (-105)
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Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.