Best College Basketball Bets Today: NCAAB Picks for November 14

While we do not have any ranked teams on the schedule for tonight, that doesn't mean we don’t have entertaining games worth betting on. Much like every night, there are plenty of games for fans and bettors to enjoy, whether they want in on the action or just something to watch.

Our focus today will be on the Big 12. The following is our preview and betting recommendation for three games featuring a team from the Big 12 conference.

All odds are available via FanDuel Sportsbook but are subject to change. Place your bets at FanDuel and claim $150 in bonus bets + 3 months of NBA League Pass.

Southern Illinois vs. Oklahoma State

• Date: Thursday, November 14

• Time: 8 p.m. ET

• Moneyline: Southern Illinois +460; Oklahoma State -650

• Point Spread: Southern Illinois +10.5 (-105) ;Oklahoma State -10.5 (-115)

• Total: O/U 159.5 (-115/-105)

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

PICK: Under 159.5 (-105) at FanDuel

After making the NCAA Tournament once in the last seven seasons under Mike Boynton,  Oklahoma State decided it was time for a change. They poached Steve Lutz from Western Kentucky after his first year at the school.

In his one season,  he took a Western Kentucky team that was 17-16 the year before and had not made the NCAA Tournament since 2013  and guided them to a 22-12 record and a trip to March Madness. So, clearly, Lutz is capable of making a difference after one season.

But he’ll have his work cut out for him taking over a program that went 12-20 last season and made the NCAA Tournament just once under  Boynton. Several players left the program, causing him to mine the transfer portal for talent. That could be a good thing, of course.

But only if Lutz can get everyone on the same page sooner rather than later. Two games in, it is safe to say, “So far, so good.” They are putting points on the board, scoring 89 and 80. But their defense left something to be desired as Green Bay and St. Thomas scored 70+.

Like the Cowboys, Southern Illinois has a first-year head coach at the helm. Scott Nagy replaced Bryan Mullins after the team went 19-13. He’ll essentially be starting from scratch, as the team had just three reserves from the previous season come back. But Nagy was able to fill the roster with talent via the portal.

The early results are not great. They dropped their season opener to Charleston, 90-80. However, they bounced back to beat Missouri S&T 86-64. If the first two games are any indication, Southern Illinois will be focusing on the pace of play and efficiency

Both teams have a lot of work to do, and since neither was particularly impressive against either opponent, it’s tough to judge how they’ll fare against each other. But from what they have shown us to date, I’m not expecting a high-scoring game.

Win $5 Wager, Get $150 in Bonus Bets at FanDuel

LSU vs. Kansas State

• Date: Thursday, November 14

• Time: 9 p.m. ET

• Moneyline: LSU +250; Kansas State -315

• Point Spread: LSU +7.5 (-110) ; Kansas State -7.5 (-110)

• Total: O/U 149.5 (-110/-110)

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

PICK: Kansas State -7.5 (-110) at FanDuel

LSU and Kansas State entered the 2024-25 season with head coaches in similar positions: both are in Year 3, and both need results. LSU showed some improvement in Matt McMahon’s second season, going from a losing record to 17-16. But it is high time the Tigers get back to the NCAA Tournament.

They have yet to make it under McMahon.

As for Kansas State’s Jerome Tang, to go from the Elite 8 in his first season to a first-round NIT exit in his second is not going to get him much support (if any). He may not survive another lackluster season.

But both coaches have their team off to a good start at 2-0 versus soft opponents, of course. Both won by comfortable margins their last time out, LSU vs. Alabama State and Kansas State vs. Cleveland State, but neither covered the spread.

LSU actually trailed Alabama State by ten at one point, but former K-State guard Cam Carter led the team to a comfortable win in the end with a team-high 21 points. K-State’s win over Cleveland State was probably closer than desired, but fans had to love what they saw the team do from three-point range: 10-19 for 52.6%.

The rebuild has been steady but slow for McMahon and LSU. While the team is good, it may still be a year or two away from getting back to the NCAA Tournament. K-State, however, decided to take the quick route to rebuilding after losing much of last year’s talented team and hit the transfer portal hard in the offseason.

Consequently, the Wildcats have more talent than the Tigers. At this stage of the season, when teams are still learning how to play together, the more talented roster will win more often than not. Between the two teams, Kansas State has the better roster.

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets at FanDuel

Grand Canyon vs. Arizona State

• Date: Thursday, November 14

• Time: 9 p.m. ET

• Moneyline: Grand Canyon -215; Arizona State +176

• Point Spread: Grand Canyon -5.5 (-102) ; Arizona State +5.5 (-120)

• Total: O/U 149.5 (-110/-110)

Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

PICK: Arizona State ML (+176) at FanDuel

Grand Canyon comes into this game with the better record at 2-0, although they barely escaped with the win their last time out vs. Western Kentucky, winning 74-72. The Antelopes trailed the Hilltoppers at the break, 35-36, but they were able to edge out Western Kentucky in the end, with Rayshon Harris hitting the winning shot with six seconds left.

Arizona State (2-1) is coming off their first loss of the season after falling to Gonzaga on Sunday 88-80. The Sun Devils played a solid first half against the No. 6 Bulldogs and went into the break tied at 38. But then their defense fell apart in the second half, giving up 50 points. Arizona State simply couldn’t keep up.

Bryce Drew has been known to target offensive production over defense, which is evident in the relatively low scoring margin; his team scores 81.5 per game but allows 75.5. A lack of defense was certainly on display when they couldn’t slow down a lackluster Western Kentucky team.

The Sun Devils, on the other hand, have seen mixed results in their three games. They struggled from the floor against Idaho State in their opener, shooting just 36.4%, but they held the Bengals to 25.4% shooting and walked away with the win.

Against Santa Clara, they were in control but couldn’t put the Broncos away, winning by seven in the end. Then there’s their most recent game vs. No. 6 Gonzaga, a team that should have blown them out of the water. Instead, they gave the Bulldogs a good scare, losing by eight in the end. 

Both teams have a lot of kinks that need to get worked out. But Arizona State, while not playing great defense, they are playing more than Grand Canyon. Neither team has been lighting up the scoreboard yet, so a little defense may be all the Sun Devils need to get the win.

Wager $5 at FanDuel for $150 in Bonus Bets