Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions (12/19): Friday College Hoops

Nate Hornung

Written by: Nate Hornung

Published: Fri Dec 19, 2025, 10:15 am ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

Richie Saunders is a sniper from downtown for the Cougars - NCAA Basketball Picks

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Friday brings us plenty of NCAA Basketball to wager on, so let's get right into our favorite college hoops picks for tonight!

We have had a very successful CBB betting season so far, let's keep it going.

  • NCAA Basketball YTD
  • 65-58 (52.9%)
  • +2.42u
  • Average Odds: -105

Go check out what else I've got on my daily card, and view the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks.

Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions December 19

Mount Saint Mary's Mountaineers vs. Drexel Dragons Picks NCAA Basketball Picks

Shane Blakeney leads the Dragons with 32.3 minutes per game this year - NCAA Basketball Picks

Shane Blakeney leads the Dragons with 32.3 minutes per game this year

Best Bet: Mt. St. Mary's/Drexel Under 140.5 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

We are backing the under as the Dragons host the Mountaineers on Friday evening. Drexel is already a team that plays incredibly slow, ranking No. 296 in the country in pace. They have had six straight games stay under 70 possessions, and eight of their last nine have stayed under this number as well. Drexel can't shoot, ranking No. 289 in eFG% offense, but they are top 150 in that category defensively and top 110 in defensive rebounding.

The Mountaineers are faster, but still middle of the pack in pace. Plus we know the home team controls the pace, and they will want to slow things down. Mount Saint Mary's ranks third worst in turnover rate offensively, while ranking No. 225 in overall efficiency and No. 273 in offensive rebounds.

Neither team gets to the line or makes free throws when they get there. Both teams are north of 265 in free throw rate, while both rank bottom 20 in FT%. Mount Saint Mary's comes in shooting a ton of threes, ranking top 40 in 3P Rate. But they balloon up to No. 169 in 3P%, plus Drexel is top 20 in 3P Rate defense. Give me a low scoring game here.

Belmont Bruins vs. UC Irvine Anteaters NCAA Basketball Picks

Jurian Dixon scores 15.3 points per game for the Anteaters - NCAA Basketball Picks

Jurian Dixon scores 15.3 points per game for the Anteaters

Best Bet: UC Irvine ML (-130) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

Now, I was able to snag -105 last night for the Anteaters, but this juice is fine with me. If it's too much, just take them to cover the number. UC Irvine plays very fast and are GREAT defensively. This team has won four straight games and are building momentum in the right direction. Irvine ranks top 15 in adjusted defensive efficiency and are second in the country in eFG% defense. To add to that, they are No. 81 in FT Rate defense. The offense is a little iffy, but they do get to the line a ton, ranking top 35 in FT Rate offense.

Plus, they've been doing all of this while playing the 107th hardest schedule in the country. Belmont's stats are inflated due to their lack of competition. The visitors have played the 300th easiest schedule so far this season, facing just two top 150 teams. They are 1-1 in those games, losing to No. 101 Richmond while the Anteaters come in ranked No. 109 in the nation. Belmont played on Tuesday while UC Irvine has had 15 days off, resting and prepping for this battle tonight, which is even more reason for me to lean with the hosts.

Abilene Christian Wildcats vs. #10 BYU Cougars NCAA Basketball Picks

AJ Dybantsa and BYU take on Abilene Christian tonight at home - NCAA Basketball Picks

AJ Dybantsa and BYU take on Abilene Christian tonight at home

Best Bet: BYU Team Total Over 88.5 (-120) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

Back the Cougars to score a ton tonight. Arizona just put up 96 points on this ACU team earlier this week, and we are basically using the same thinking to bet on BYU to do it as well. They've score 90+ points in three of their last four, and a total of five times so far this season. There isn't anything they are looking ahead to, so they should use this as a tune up game for Big 12 play.

BYU ranks top 100 in pace, top 40 in eFG% and top 15 in turnovers, meaning they run, take care of the ball, and knock down their shots very frequently. Plus, their three point percentage jumps up 1.5% at home, inflating to 37.5% from deep as a team at home. As for ACU, they just gave up 96 to Arizona and allowed 92 to William & Mary earlier in the year.

Defensively, the Wildcats are No. 302 in eFG% defense, bottom 15 in 3P% defense, letting opponents shoot over 39.2% from deep, and are also dead last in FT Rate defense. BYU will have no problem scoring on all levels tonight at home.

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Nate Hornung
Nate Hornung

Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.

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