Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions: College Hoops Returns

Nate Hornung

Written by: Nate Hornung

Published: Sun Dec 28, 2025, 10:48 am ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

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After nearly a full four days off, college hoops officially returns to the hardwood today. Yes, I'm well aware that Stanford beat CS-Northridge last night, but the Matadors did cover the +16.5. Hope you tuned in to Betspresso in the morning on Saturday to get that lean from me. Regardless, we have a full Sunday slate of NCAA Basketball games to sift through and bet on today, so let's get into our favorite picks and hopefully find some winners. We need it, big time.

Things have not been going great over the past month, but it's time to get this thing back on track. We've got plenty of time to do so.

  • NCAA Basketball YTD
  • 70-74 (48.6%)
  • -8.69u
  • Average Odds: -105

We will always be transparent around these parts. Moneylines and player props have been our down fall so far, but we are 33-31 against the spread and 25-23 on totals, losing a little juice in both categories.

Today's best bets are below. Keep reading for the analysis.

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

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Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions December 28

Harvard Crimson vs. Colgate Raiders NCAA Basketball Picks

Jalen Cox leads the Raiders with 15.5 points per game and 5.4 assists, adding 2.1 steals and shooting 42.9% from deep - NCAA Basketball Picks

Jalen Cox leads the Raiders with 15.5 points per game and 5.4 assists, adding 2.1 steals and shooting 42.9% from deep

Best Bet: Colgate -4 (-105) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

I believe there are some 3.5s out there, so do your line shopping but back the Raiders with me at home. Harvard is one of the slowest teams in the nation, and although Colgate doesn't run too fast, they take care of the ball and will speed things up a little bit. Plus, they are MUCH more battle tested.

Colgate has played a top 70 schedule so far this season, while Harvard's ranks No. 323 in the nation, nearly breaking the bottom 40. That is why I can't wow you with stats in this handicap, it's more the fact that Colgate is playing a lesser caliber opponent. At home, I trust them to cover the number. Both teams lost to Northeastern, but at least the Raiders put up a fight. The hosts have beaten every team they've faced ranked north of 175 besides the Huskies, and they do have a top 165 win.

Coming back from break, I lean more with the home team often, and this is one of those situations where I'll bring them to the counter.

Florida A&M Rattlers vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets NCAA Basketball Picks

Akai Fleming scored 10 points per game for the speedy Yellow Jackets - NCAA Basketball Picks

Akai Fleming scored 10 points per game for the speedy Yellow Jackets

Best Bet: Georgia Tech -18 (-106) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

Get ready to lace up your sneakers, because this is going to be a track meet. The Yellow Jackets rank No. 67 in pace, with the Rattlers loving to run as well, coming in just behind them at No. 70 in possessions per game. Against Division 1 opponents, Florida A&M has only had two games stay under 74 possessions. Plenty of trips up and down the floor for the hosts to cover, considering at home they've had one stay under 70 trips.

The Yellow Jackets' offense isn't flashy, but their defense is. They are top 40 in eFG% defense, top 90 in adjusted defensive efficiency and FT Rate defense, as well as top 75 in defensive rebounding. There might be tons of possessions in this game, but the Rattlers won't be able to score. Their offense is horrendous.

Florida A&M is bottom 40 in eFG%, bottom 30 in overall offensive efficiency, bottom 20 in rebounding (both sides of the ball), and bottom 10 in turnover rate. Not to mention they are north of 270 in eFG defense and FT Rate defense. Neither team shoots very many threes, but the Yellow Jackets are top 20 in assist rate. Look for them to run, share the ball, and cover this spread at home. Sure, they have to go to Duke on Wednesday, but they should know that's already penciled in as a loss on their record. Focus on getting back up to speed following the break this afternoon 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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