NCAA Basketball Best Bets for November 15: Purdue Hosts Alabama In Marquee Matchup
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Willie Bee
- November 15, 2024
Top NCAAB Pick: Purdue +3 (-115) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
There isn’t anything that college hoops fans – or bettors – can complain about the Friday night fixture with 11 teams from the latest AP poll in action, five of those squads facing their first true road test of the young campaign.
And if you’re looking for more value picks, make sure to take a look at our YouTube channel for advice on two games: Alabama vs. Purdue and TCU vs. Michigan.
Florida Gators vs. Florida State Seminoles
Friday, November 15, 2024 – 06:00 PM ET at Tucker Center
If there’s one certainty about this Sunshine State showdown, it’s that Florida and Florida State will be a better matchup on the hardwood than if the Gators and Seminoles were on the gridiron.
‘Noles Big Underdogs in ACC
Another certainty is either the Gators or Seminoles will lose their first game of the season. Both sides enter the clash with 3-0 records straight up with Florida 1-2 ATS and Florida State 2-1.
As far as expectations go, Florida entered the campaign with a much brighter outlook and bigger hopes as a Top 20 pick. The Gators were among the second tier of SEC teams on the college basketball futures board while Florida State was considered a longshot in the ACC.
Florida has the experienced backcourt duo of Walter Clayton Jr. and Will Richard, and Todd Golden’s squad shares glass duties as well as any team. Jamir Watkins is the lone returning starter for Florida State, and Leonard Hamilton is trying to work with a lot of fresh, young faces.
Gators Have Covered Last 3 Meetings
The Gators have won the last three meetings to take a 46-29 lead in the long-running rivalry. Florida scored an 89-68 home win and cover a year ago, and won as small road chalk two years ago when the schools last met in Tallahassee.
Golden announced two roster tweaks this week, with plans to redshirt 7-foot-9 freshman Olivier Rioux while at the same time getting clearance for Urban Klavzar from Slovenia to play. Klavzar will debut Friday night, and it will be a winning debut for his Florida career.
NCAAB Pick: Florida -5.5 (-108) at Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports Review)
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Purdue Boilermakers
Friday, November 15, 2024 – 07:00 PM ET at Mackey Arena
Alabama and Purdue gave us a fantastic game 11 months ago, and there’s no reason to expect anything less when the Crimson Tide travel to West Lafayette to meet the Boilermakers.
How Does Purdue Fill Edey’s Void?
Some will look at Alabama’s schedule so far and conclude Nate Oats’ squad hasn’t really been tested yet. That would be incorrect.
They may not have faced a Power 4 team the caliber of Purdue, but wins over Arkansas State and McNeese came against teams expected to go dancing as favorites in the Sun Belt and Southland Conferences, respectively.
In many ways, this is a huge test for Matt Painter and the Boilermakers who will be facing a Power 4/5 school without Zach Edey for the first time since 2020. Purdue is also dealing with the loss of Daniel Jacobsen, the 7-4 freshman expected to move into Edey’s role possibly out for the rest of the season due to a fractured tibia.
‘Bama Small Road Chalk on Friday
Led by Edey, Purdue scored a 92-86 win to just cover the NCAAB odds last December when the sides met in Toronto as part of the Hall of Fame Series. Alabama led for the first 27+ minutes of that contest, which easily made it ‘over’ a 163.5-point total.
In a tight game that goes to the final possession, I’ll gladly take the points BetOnline is offering.
NCAAB Pick: Purdue +3 (-115) at BetOnline
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Friday, November 15, 2024 – 09:00 PM ET at Reed Arena
The second battle between ranked clubs takes place in the Lone Star State where No. 23 Texas A&M hosts No. 21 Ohio State. Top-rated sportsbooks list A&M -6.5 following overnight action.
Ags 3-7 vs. Ranked Teams Last Year
The Buckeyes didn’t let a mild upset of Texas in their season opener go to their heads and followed up on that dubya with an 81-47 rout of Youngstown State on Monday. The final more than doubled-up the 19-point spread Buckeye backers were laying.
After letting their season opener slip away at UCF, the Aggies didn’t let that get them down with a couple of spread winners over East Texas A&M and Lamar. Buzz Williams’ bunch was favored by 31 and 25, respectively, in those mismatches.
1st Meeting in College Station
Ohio State posted a 73-66 decision in Columbus 370 days ago to cover as small home chalk and even the series at two wins apiece. Depending on where and when bettors got down on the total, the final either just got past or came up a hair short.
This spread is about twice what it should be, making for an easy college basketball pick on the Buckeyes plus the points.
NCAAB Pick: Ohio State +6.5 (-110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
