Best College Basketball Bets for Tuesday, March 3: Featuring No. 17 North Carolina, No. 9 Nebraska, and No. 19 Miami (OH)

• North Carolina leads the all-time series vs. Clemson, 32-10; Clemson won the last two and four of the last seven meetings

• This will be just the third game between UCLA and Nebraska; each has won one

• Toledo leads the all-time series vs. Miami (OH) 71-70; Miami (OH) won the last two, but Toledo won the previous 22 in a row

We take a step closer to the end of the regular season and the start of March Madness with a busy slate of college basketball games today. For several teams, it may be their last chance to impress the Selection Committee. Three such games will be the focus of today’s College Basketball Best Bets list.

There are plenty of options today, but I’m going to focus on the games involving Clemson, UCLA, and Miami (OH).

Clemson Tigers vs. No. 17 North Carolina Tar Heels

• Spread: Clemson +3.5 at -110 | North Carolina -3.5 at -110

• Moneyline: Clemson +146 | North Carolina -176

• TOTAL: O/U 142.5 at (-110/-110)

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The Tar Heels come into the game, winners of four of their last five, including a 77-74 win over No. 24 Louisville, but also an 82-58 loss to NC State.  However, Clemson will have some of their own demons to overcome, as well as UNC. Prior to Saturday’s win over No. 24 Louisville, they had lost four in a row.

Is Saturday’s win a sign they’ve got things turned around? If so, they’ll need their defense (No. 2 in the ACC) to clamp down on the Tar Heels' shooters. Their best chance to win will need them to keep the game close. They can’t trust their offense to do it (No. 14 in the conference).

• My Pick: North Carolina -3.5 at -102 via FanDuel

I’m not a big believer in the Tar Heels this season, but it is hard to get behind Clemson winning this game or even keeping it close. I like their defense doing a good job against UNC's offense. However, while North Carolina has been finding ways to win, Clemson has been finding ways to lose.

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No. 9 Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. UCLA Bruins

• Spread: Nebraska +1.5 at -130 | UCLA -1.5 at +106

• Moneyline: Nebraska -110 | UCLA -110

• TOTAL: O/U 143.5 at (-115/-105)

Odds from FanDuel Sportsbook

On the offensive end, they are not too different. Nebraska averages 78.6 points per game and UCLA averages 77.8. But defensively, the Cornhuskers are one of the best in the country (No. 16, 65.4 ppg allowed). UCLA, however, isn’t bad at 71.7 ppg allowed (No. 113).

UCLA has been tough to beat at home (16-1), but defense tends to travel well; Nebraska has gone 7-2 on the road.

• My Pick: Nebraska -1.5 at +105

If UCLA can play a perfect game, they’ll have a shot at an upset. But considering how they’ve lost three of their last five games, I’m not confident they can. Nebraska’s playing too well, especially on the defensive end, to lose to UCLA.

Toledo Rockets vs. No. 19 Miami (OH) RedHawks

• Spread: Toledo +8.5 at -110 | Miami (OH) -8.5 at -110

• Moneyline: Toledo +360 | Miami (OH) -480

• TOTAL: O/U 162.5 at (-110/-110)

Odds from FanDuel Sportsbook

The RedHawks have one of the best offenses in the country, and they’ll let it lose against a lackluster Toledo defense. Miami (OH) is not a spectacular defensive squad, but they’ll be able to slow Toledo’s offense down.

Miami (OH) came out firing in the earlier game vs. Toledo, getting out to a 56-36 halftime lead. They let off the gas in the second half, letting the Rockets close the gap a little (87-73).

• My Pick: Miami (OH) -8.5 at -115 via FanDuel

The RedHawks nearly let their shot at history/immortality slip through their fingers in their last game (vs. Western Michigan). They will be more dialed in and focused for this game and will not make the same mistakes.

Toledo will put up a solid fight, but the Miami (OH) offense will win the day and become the only undefeated team in the country this season.

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