March 2 CBB odds & picks: Marquette vs. Creighton best bets
Adam Hensley | For FrontPageBets
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As the college basketball’s regular season nears its conclusion, Saturday brings yet another loaded slate of games featuring heated rivalries and blue-blood programs:
College Basketball picks for March 2: Odds, best bets for Marquette vs. Creighton, Kansas vs. Baylor and more
Marquette vs. Creighton March 2 odds, preview and pick: Creighton moneyline (-154 or better)
Arguably the best game on Saturday’s schedule, this Big East matchup features two of the country’s hottest programs.
No. 5 Marquette (22-6) has won 11 of its last 12 games. Head coach Shaka Smart’s unit is incredibly balanced, with four scorers averaging double digits this season.
No. 12 Creighton is in a similar boat with a “Big Three” of Baylor Scheierman, Trey Alexander and Ryan Kalkbrenner. Each averages more than 17 points per contest.
Creighton can beat any team in the country, as evident by its beatdown of UConn just three games prior. The Blue Jays have looked great at home this season, and we think that trend continues Saturday.
Kansas vs. Baylor odds, preview and pick for March 2: Baylor moneyline (-182 or better)
No. 7 Kansas hits the road to face No. 15 Baylor in a game that will have an impact on the Big 12 Tournament. Each team boasts a 9-6 conference record, with the Jayhawks sitting at No. 3, one spot above the Bears.
Baylor has one of the country’s best offenses, according to KenPom rankings (fifth in adjusted offensive rating). According to KenPom, Baylor’s strength of schedule is the toughest when it comes to adjusted opposing defensive rating.
It’s tough to win on the road in college basketball. Five of Kansas’ six Big 12 losses happened on the road.
Illinois vs. Wisconsin March 2 odds, preview and pick: Illinois +2.5 (-110 or better)
The Badgers started off hot but fell into a free fall in February, losing six of their eight games last month. Meanwhile, the No. 13 Illini won five of their seven games over that span.
Led by Terrence Shannon Jr., Illinois has one of the better offensive units in the country. Shannon Jr. averages 21.9 points per game, and in turn, the Illini rank third in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency.
Keep in mind that although this game is in Madison, Wisconsin is just 1-9 against the spread over its last ten games.
Mississippi State vs. No. 11 Auburn odds, preview and pick for March 2: Auburn -9.5 (-110 or better)
Mississippi State started to climb the SEC standings after winning five straight games, but that streak ended Thursday. However, there’s no doubt the Bulldogs are playing better.
That being said, Mississippi State faces one of the country’s most balanced teams in No. 11 Auburn. The Tigers rank third in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency and 13th in adjusted offensive efficiency. Johni Broome has been excellent for Auburn this season, averaging 16.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 2 assists and 1 steal a game.
Auburn has looked great at home, posting a 13-1 record inside Neville Arena this season.
NC State vs. No. 9 North Carolina March 2 odds, preview and pick: North Carolina -11.5 (-102 or better)
No. 9 North Carolina is the ACC’s top team, having lost just one home game so far this year. The Tar Heels boast a great defense (seventh in KenPom adjusted defensive efficiency). RJ Davis (21.7 points per game, 41.1% from 3-point range) and Armondo Bacot (14.1 points, 10.5 rebounds per game) are one of the conference’s best duos.
NC State enters this game having struggled in ACC play as of late.The Wolfpack are just 6-8 in their last 14 matchups.
Considering what North Carolina did to NC State earlier this year on the road, we see a similar outcome in Chapel Hill.
Tennessee vs. Alabama March 2 odds, preview and pick: Over 167.5 points (-110 or better)
The Crimson Tide boast the country’s best offense (No. 1 in KenPom adjusted offensive efficiency). Nate Oates’ team averages 91.5 points per game, led by guard Mark Sears (20.6 points per game, 44.3% from 3-point range).
Meanwhile, Tennessee scored at least 86 points in four of its last five games.
The over hit in 21 of Alabama’s 28 games this season. The same happened in 17 of Tennessee’s 28 contests, too.
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Adam Hensley is a writer for Catena Media based out of Iowa. Since graduating from the University of Iowa in 2019 with a degree in journalism and sports studies, he worked for a variety of publications including Sports Illustrated, the Associated Press and the USA Today Network. He spends his time watching the NBA and both college and professional football.
