Best College Basketball Bets for Monday, February 16: Elite Defenses Battle When Houston Takes on Iowa State

• Duke has won the last ten games vs. Syracuse; the last time the Orange beat the Blue Devils was during the 2018-19 season in Durham (95-91, January 14, 2019).

• The all-time series between Houston and Iowa State is tied at 5-5; Iowa State has won two of the last three vs. the Cougars (both in Houston).

Thank you, college basketball, for an exciting weekend, but it is now time to start a new week. That is not meant to imply the new week will be dull. However, it often means fewer ranked teams playing day to day, but we still have three included in our ‘College Basketball Best Bets’ list.

Duke is a tremendous team, but 20.5 points is a significant spread for any team to cover. As for Houston and Iowa State, fun things always happen when two top-five teams face off against each other. But how should you bet on it all? We have a few ideas for you.

Syracuse Orange vs. No. 4 Duke Blue Devils Odds & Pick

• Spread: Syracuse +20.5 (-104) | Duke -20.5 (-118)

• Moneyline: Syracuse +1600 | Duke -4500

• Total: OVER 143.5 (-110) | UNDER 143.5 (-110)

Odds from FanDuel Sportsbook. Join FanDuel and claim your welcome offer: Bet $5, Get $100 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins. Get more info on the FanDuel Promo Code in our detailed overview.

Let’s not beat around the bush. Whether Duke will win this game is not the question here. It’s whether the Blue Devils will cover such a big spread. Yes, there is always a chance Syracuse could pull off an upset, right? Well, the odds give the Blur Devils a 97.83% chance of winning.

As Loyd Christmas would say, ”So you’re saying there’s a chance…” Technically, yes, but no, Duke will win this game. But can they cover?

Syracuse has had its moments this season, but they’ve had a hard time stringing them together into wins. Consistency has been a major issue for them on both ends of the court, especially when they are playing on the road. Hence, going 2-4 when playing on the road.

Against a team like Duke that thrives on being consistent and efficient, Syracuse will need to play to bring its ‘A+’ game. But whatever that is for them, it may still not be enough to hang with Duke for more than a half.

• My Pick: Syracuse +20.5 at -110 via FanDuel

Duke has won 12 of its last 13 games and is, without a doubt, the better team between the two. But they haven’t been putting teams away lately. They were favored by 13.5 vs. Clemson and won by 13, by 18 vs. Pitt and won by 16, and by 27 vs. Boston College and won by 18.

Syracuse does have a little momentum on its side after winning its last two games, 79-78 vs. SMU and 107-100 2OT vs. Cal. That momentum could give them the confidence they need to keep pushing and make this one interesting.

Win a $5 Wager at FanDuel, Get $100 in Bonus Bets

No. 3 Houston Cougars vs. No. 5 Iowa State Cyclones

• Spread: Houston +2.5 (-118) | Iowa State -52.5 (-104

• Moneyline: Houston +114 | Iowa State -137

• Total: OVER 134.5 (-110) | UNDER 134.5 (-110)

Odds from FanDuel Sportsbook.

Since taking their first conference loss of the season a few weeks ago, the Cougars have been on point and getting the job done. They’ve won six in a row and held five of those teams to 66 points or less. 

They beat TCU by nine, but otherwise outscored the opponents by double digits in those wins.

Iowa State recently took a loss against TCU, 62-55, on February 10. The loss ended a five-game win streak. But they got right back on track in their first game following the loss, defeating a red-hot No. 9 Kansas team 74-56. 

However, while the win was impressive, Houston is a much better team than Kansas. It will be much more difficult to beat the Cougars.

• My Pick: UNDER 134.5 at -110 via FanDuel

When elite defenses clash, points will be hard to come by. That will likely be the case for this game. Both teams have been looking great on the offensive end of the court in recent games, but have not faced a defense half as good as what they’ll see today.

Bet $5 at FanDuel, Get $100 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins