Best College Basketball Bets for Thursday, February 19: Liberty to Remain Undefeated IN CUSA Play

• Liberty is one of two teams in the country that are undefeated in conference play

• High Point has the No. 2 scoring offense in the country and is 15-1 at home this season

Days like today are good days to get to know the potential 14-16 seeds for March Madness. Because it’s the best teams that you’ve never heard of from that conference with that name you can’t think of, that earn those seeds and then mess up your bracket after upsetting a Virginia, Duke, Kentucky, etc.

That’s why today’s College Basketball Best Bets will focus on two schools that will sneak into March Madness as 14-16 seeds that may have a shot at upsetting a higher-seeded program.

Florida International Panthers vs. Liberty Flames Odds & Pick

• Spread: Florida International +10.5 (-102) | Liberty -10.5 (-120)

• Moneyline: Florida International +530 | Liberty -780

• Total: OVER 152.5 (-110) | UNDER 152.5 (-110)

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With Saint Louis falling the other night, Liberty (22-3, 14-0 CUSA) is one of two teams in the country that have an undefeated conference record (the other being Miami (OH)). Will they remain so after tonight? I’m going to say, ”Probably,” and here’s why.

Liberty is not just some small school with a handful of good players that beat up on lesser programs to make themselves look good. They rank No. 89 in the KenPom rankings and No. 137 in strength of schedule (which becomes more impressive when you consider there are 300+ DI programs).

They are No. 1 in the conference (CUSA) in several metrics tracked by the NCAA and even rank in the top five in the nation in a handful (No. 2 assist/turnover ratio and effective field goal %). 

Now, they don’t get much from their bench, struggle on the boards, and you can hit three-pointers all day long. But they have a five-game lead in the conference. They are going to win it.

• My Pick: Florida International +10.5

I have no doubt that Liberty can and probably should win this game, but I’m struggling to get past the Flames needing an overtime period to beat them 97-94 (December 28, 2025). Liberty hit 15 threes to FIU’s six in that game; it should have been a blowout.

But FIU outplayed them in the paint and killed them on the boards. 

Florida International has since gone 5-8, while Liberty has not lost a game. I see this game playing out in a similar fashion to the first. Probably not in overtime, but Liberty will win by single digits.

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UNC Asheville Bulldogs vs. High Point Panthers Odds & Pick

• Spread: UNC Asheville +13.5 (-105) | High Point -13.5 (-115)    

• Moneyline: UNC Asheville +900 | High Point -1600

• Total: OVER 151.5 (-110) | UNDER 151.5 (-110)

Odds from bet365 Sportsbook

High Point’s strength of schedule comes in at No. 253, so they haven’t played an impressive field. But the Panthers (24-4, 12-1 Big South) have made the most of the talent they have when vs. the teams they play.

Enough so that they have the No. 2-ranked offense in the country (91.8 ppg).

They aren’t too shabby on the defensive end No. 90, 70.5 ppg allowed), and do a great job forcing turnovers (No. 2 in the nation, 17.25 per game), and their effective field goal % (57.5) is 16^th in the country.

As for UNC-Asheville, the Panthers beat them 87-69 to open conference play, a game they controlled from the start. High Point dominated from the perimeter, hitting ten threes to UNC-Asheville’s four. However, the Bulldogs won the paint, 40-38.

• My Pick: High Point -13.5

There is no value in the moneyline, so it either has to be the spread or TOTAL. High Point has already beaten UNC Asheville on the road by 18, so it should be easier at home, right? In theory, but if the Bulldogs can shut down High Point from behind the arc, maybe not.

However, I’m not confident they can, or if they do, it will be enough. High Point’s defense is good enough to keep the Bulldogs' lackluster offense in check and still cover.

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