Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions (2/14): Saturday CBB
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Sat Feb 14, 2026, 9:55 am ET
Read Time: 10 minutes
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Saturday's massive college hoops slate is here, so let's get into our CBB expert's favorite NCAA Basketball picks on today's board.
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 February 14
#20 Clemson vs. #4 Duke NCAA Basketball Picks
Cameron Boozer and the Blue Devils host the Clemson Tigers today at home
Best Bet: Clemson/Duke 1H Under 62.5 (-115) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
This one will certainly be sweaty, as the Blue Devils average about 43 points per first half at home. However they've had a couple of VERY slow starts, specifically against Lipscomb and Wake Forest, and I think they might be in for a rude awakening today. The Clemson Tigers have certainly had this game circled, and they are one of the slowest and best defensive teams in the country.
Even on the road, they play their pace of basketball, so expect them to limit the Blue Devils chances early on, making it difficult for Duke to score. Ultimately, I would prefer to be on the "first ten minutes" under, but alas, that line does not exist. Regardless, I don't see Duke scoring more than 30-32 in this first half, and I highly doubt Clemson leads at half on the road.
Fordham vs. Rhode Island NCAA Basketball Picks
Best Bet: Fordham/Rhode Island Under 132.5 (-105) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Fordham is an extremely slow team with a much better defense than offense. They are bottom 25 in possessions per game, second worst at getting to the free throw line, and north of 290 in eFG% overall. However, despite being No. 181 overall, they are in the top 100 in adjusted defensive efficiency, and are top 35 in both offensive rebounds allowed and FT Rate defense.
The Rams are a little faster, but they are still north of 260 in terms of pace. Rhode Island is ranked No. 139 overall on Bart Torvik, but they are outside the top 200 in offensive efficiency and inside the top 100 defensively. Both teams are absolutely atrocious at shooting threes so I can't imagine we get too many points from downtown or the stripe in this slow paced game.
#9 Kansas vs. #5 Iowa State NCAA Basketball Picks
Darryn Peterson is "good to go" at Hilton Coliseum today
Best Bet: Kansas/Iowa State Over 146.5 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Full transparency, I snagged over 141.5 when this number dropped on Thursday. You are all grown adults and can make your own decisions, but if this gets to 149.5 (or higher) I will be taking the under and trying to middle. I also think 7.5 points is too many for the Jayhawks with a "good to go" Darryn Peterson.
However, the Cyclones did not contribute to the over the last time these teams met. They shot just 37% overall from the field and 55% from the stripe, so I expect both of those to improve on their home floor. Both teams are great defensively, but neither plays too slow, so I expect enough possessions to get us over the hump. Kansas has not won in Hilton in three years, but catching three possessions is a little disrespectful based on how they've been playing.
Texas A&M vs. #19 Vanderbilt NCAA Basketball Picks
Bucky McMillan and Texas A&M need to snap their three game losing streak
Best Bet: Texas A&M Team Total Over 79.5 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
The Aggies have lost three straight which can be demoralizing, but Bucky McMillan's style of play is a nightmare for the Commodores. Both teams are plenty fast, so we should see tons of possessions in this game, and the Aggies aren't afraid to let it fly from deep or get to the hoop. Vanderbilt has had trouble against fast teams on their own floor, and I think they could be outmatched in this one.
I don't hate backing Texas A&M on the spread in this one either, as I could see them pulling off this road upset against a team that has been slipping since starting 16-0.
#25 Kentucky vs. #14 Florida NCAA Basketball Picks
Florida has one of the best front courts in the nation, led by forward Alex Condon
Best Bet: Kentucky/Florida Over 154.5 Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
I was able to get over 152.5 when this line dropped on Thursday, but I still think this number is playable. If you want an alternative, you can take the Gators team total over 83.5. Both these teams are fast, and the Gators have figured out their three point shooting, which was their kryptonite earlier on in the season.
I do not see a world where the Kentucky defense comes to play and is able to compete with this Florida front court. The hosts should dominate on the glass on both ends of the floor, resulting in plenty of easy points for Todd Golden's team.
#16 Texas Tech vs. #1 Arizona NCAA Basketball Picks
Koa Peat and Arizona take on Texas Tech this Saturday in Tucson
Best Bet: Texas Tech/Arizona Over 157.5 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Once again, I got some CLV here by booking 155.5 yesterday, but I think we see 160 total points in this game. Arizona is coming off their first loss of the season and should take their anger out on the Red Raiders. The hosts will certainly speed things up, but the Texas Tech offense is efficient enough to hang in a shootout, as they put up 90 in their victory over Houston.
Plus, Grant McCasland's team shoots over 46% of their shots from downtown, and they hit them at a 41.6% clip on the road. Their three point shooting should keep them in this game and push the total over this number.
South Carolina vs. Alabama NCAA Basketball Picks
Alabama faces a horrible defense today at home
Best Bet: Alabama Team Total Over 93.5 (-104)Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Yes, this is a very high number, but this might become a system play of mine. When you have a fast team, at home against the Gamecocks, we back that team to score a ton. We know Alabama loves to run and chuck up threes. South Carolina has virtually no defense, especially against top 100 teams on the road.
They gave up 95 to Florida (at home), 92 to Texas A&M at Reed Arena and 108 to Arkansas in Fayetteville. They are 2-9 in the SEC for a reason, and they are north of 300 in turnovers forced and offensive rebounds allowed. Alabama has scored 90+ in seven of their 11 games at home, but against this defense they can certainly find a couple more buckets.
#15 Virginia vs. Ohio State NCAA Basketball Picks
Best Bet: Virginia/Ohio State Under 147.5 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
We don't always get a non conference matchup this late in the season, but I trust the Cavaliers' defense to keep this one tight. Ohio State's offense is one dimensional, relying only on Bruce Thornton to score. If Virginia can stop him, I don't see the Buckeyes contributing to this over.
Virginia is nearly north of 300 in terms of pace, and while they do have an efficient offense, Ohio State has the perimeter defense to limit their threes, which is a big part of how the Cavaliers put the ball in the hoop.
Texas vs. Missouri NCAA Basketball Picks
Mark Mitchell and the Tigers are coming off a big upset win. Can they take down Texas at home?
Best Bet: Texas/Missouri Over 150.5 (-115) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
While the pace of these teams does worry me a bit, we ultimately have two teams that are much better offensively than they are on the defensive side of the ball. I got a bad number as I took 152.5 yesterday and it has since dropped a couple of points.
Missouri is coming off a big upset win over Texas A&M on the road, but they still allowed 85 points. While the Longhorns' offense might not be as potent as the Aggies, the lack of defense in this matchup should be enough to get us over the hump.
Auburn vs. #21 Arkansas NCAA Basketball Picks
Darius Acuff Jr. and Arkansas have won two straight, but lost last time they played at Bud Walton Arena
Best Bet: Arkansas Team Total Over 86.5 (-125) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
The Razorbacks are in a revenge spot at home against the Tigers who beat them at Neville Arena. This is a great spot for the Hogs to turn things on and run up the score to ultimately put Auburn in their grave.
Arkansas has scored 91 and 88 in back to back games, and have scored an average of 94.3 points in their last seven at Bud Walton Arena. I do not think the Tigers are capable of slowing them down at all, and in fact, they might add some scoring opportunities for the Hogs.
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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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