The 2025-26 college basketball season is in full swing, and we’re here to help you cash in on the action. Let’s dive into the top college basketball best bets today for Tuesday, February 17th. We have multiple Top 25 teams on the schedule with plenty of intriguing matchups. Don’t miss out on the best college basketball picks below as you cash your own bets. Note that all odds are accurate as of this writing, but are always subject to change. Good luck! 

College Basketball Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 2/17

Our college basketball best bets today begin with an ACC matchup between #16 North Carolina and NC State. Plus, we focus on a Big East tilt as Xavier hosts Villanova in a potential shootout. Check out more college basketball predictions below for other games today, including Nebraska vs. Iowa. Let’s jump in.  

UNC vs. NC State Prediction: Tuesday, 2/17

North Carolina has dominated this in-state rivalry against NC State in recent years. The Tar Heels are 13-3 over the past 16 meetings and have won 70% of the career total matchups with the Wolfpack. Despite that undeniable data, NC State has a prime opportunity at home to get a much-needed victory on Tuesday. 

The Wolfpack are reeling after losing back-to-back games against Louisville and Miami (FL). That latest result on Saturday was especially tough. They lost by 1 point at home to the Hurricanes despite holding an 8-point second-half lead. Before these past two losses, NC State had won 6 straight games, with 4 of those victories coming by 9+ points. 

Meanwhile, UNC is now 20-5 on the season after beating Pitt by 14 points at home over the weekend. The Heels are now up to No. 16 in the latest AP Poll, 25th in the NET, and 28th at KenPom. Though NC State isn’t ranked nationally, they’re still 29th in the NET and 31st at KenPom heading into this game. 

The big thing for UNC is its unfortunate injury situation. Stud freshman Caleb Wilson is out indefinitely with a fractured hand. His absence is very notable as the Tar Heels’ leading scorer and rebounder this season. Plus, 7-foot center Henri Veesaar is questionable to play on Tuesday after missing the last game. 

Those two injuries cannot go overlooked. Yes, North Carolina took care of business against Pitt without both Wilson and Veesaar. Yet, that was at home against a struggling team that’s 9-17 overall and 2-11 in conference play. The competition ramps up here on the road against an NC State squad hungry to get back into the win column. 

The Wolfpack’s three-point shooting and ability to avoid turnovers will be key in this matchup. NC State is shooting a lights-out 39.4% from three this season, which is 6th-best in the country. It also ranks 13th nationally in offensive turnover rate. As for North Carolina, it’s allowing opponents to shoot 40.0% from three in conference play (dead last in the ACC). The Heels also rank 341st in the country in defensive turnover rate. 

These two matchup advantages for NC State’s offense can help it build a lead. The Wolfpack are averaging 85.0 PPG (25th in Division I) while ranking 21st nationally in offensive efficiency (per KenPom). Their offense can set the tone and force UNC to match them on the scoreboard. 

On that note, the absence of Wilson and possibly Veesaar will be a lot for North Carolina to overcome. It downgrades the Tar Heels on both ends of the floor, but especially offensively. They boast a strong supporting cast, but relying too much on Seth Trimble, Luka Bogavec, and Derek Dixon for scoring isn’t ideal. 

Let’s take NC State to win and cover the spread. Notably, the Wolfpack are 5-2 SU after a loss this season and have responded well in these spots. Plus, head coach Will Wade’s teams are 13-3 SU after a loss over the past 3 seasons combined. UNC, meanwhile, is 2-2 ATS as a road/neutral underdog this year, with both of those losses coming by double digits. 

 

 

 

Villanova vs. Xavier Prediction: Tuesday, 2/17

Villanova enters this game on a roll. The Wildcats have won 5 straight games and are now 11-3 in the Big East, 20-5 overall this year. Xavier, meanwhile, is just 5-9 in the conference and 13-12 overall this season. The Musketeers won at home over Marquette this past weekend, but Nova presents a much tougher challenge. 

Instead of picking the spread in this Big East matchup, let’s look at the total. Expect a higher-scoring matchup with Xavier, bringing in a fast pace and poor defense. Villanova should win, but the defensive effort could be lacking ahead of a big home rematch against UConn. 

First off, Xavier’s style usually leads to high-scoring games. The Musketeers play at the fastest tempo in the Big East and rank 39th nationally in pace. In turn, the over has cashed in 76% of Xavier’s games so far. The over has also hit in 12 of its 14 conference games, including 6 of 7 home league contests. 

Xavier’s uptempo style also allows opponents to light up the scoreboard, especially with its struggling defense. The Musketeers are giving up 78.5 PPG this season, which ranks 301st in the country. That average jumps up to 84.1 PPG allowed in conference play as well. They have issues stopping scoring both from three-point range and inside. 

Villanova has the offensive chops to exploit this favorable matchup. The Wildcats rank 31st nationally in offensive efficiency, per KenPom, and they’re averaging 79.2 PPG during their current 5-game win streak. They’re shooting 36.2% from three so far, which is trouble for the Xavier defense that’s allowing Big East opponents to shoot 36.4% from deep. 

On the other end, Villanova’s defense has been slightly worse on the road in league play. The ‘Cats are allowing 74.4 PPG over their last 5 road games, compared to 64.5 PPG over the past 4 home contests. Those defensive lapses on the road could be an issue against Xavier’s fast-paced style. The Musketeers at least rank 23rd nationally in offensive turnover rate and shoot 36.6% from three this season (46th). 

Let’s take the over in this Big East battle. Notably, the over is 10-2 in Nova’s last 12 games. The over has also hit in 6 straight road games for the Wildcats. 

Best College Basketball Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 2/17

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