We’re into the penultimate weekend of the 2025-26 college basketball regular season. Let’s dive into the top college basketball best bets today for Tuesday, March 3rd. We have plenty of Top 25 teams in action and some intriguing matchups with NCAA Tournament implications. Check out the best college basketball picks below as you cash your own bets. Note that all odds and betting lines are accurate as of this writing, but are always subject to change. Good luck! 

College Basketball Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 3/3

Our college basketball best bets today begin with a Big 12 matchup between BYU and Cincinnati. Plus, we break down a late-night Big Ten showdown as UCLA hosts No. 9 Nebraska. Check out more college basketball predictions below for other games today, including Tennessee vs. South Carolina and TCU vs. Texas Tech. Let’s jump in.  

 

 

 

BYU vs. Cincinnati Prediction: Tuesday, 3/3

These Big 12 foes are trending in opposite directions as the regular season winds down. BYU has lost 3 of its last 4 games, and it’s now dropped out of the AP Top 25. Meanwhile, Cincinnati is 5-1 over the last 6 contests while playing itself onto the NCAA Tournament bubble. Let’s back one of those squads for Tuesday night’s matchup. 

BYU’s struggles date further back than this recent stretch. After beginning the season with a 16-1 record, the Cougars are just 4-8 in their last 12 games. They also rank as the 59th-best team in the country during this stretch, according to BartTorvik. Even their recent victory over Iowa State isn’t aging particularly well, as the Cyclones have since lost handily to Arizona and Texas Tech. 

The Cougars’ defense is a big concern right now. They’ve allowed 84.5 PPG over the past 12 games, while ranking 198th nationally in defensive efficiency in this span (per Torvik). Plus, the offense is still trying to replace the injured Richie Saunders. The senior averaged 18.0 PPG and led the team in steal rate, but he’s lost for the season. His absence is being felt on both ends of the floor, and BYU is 1-3 without him so far. 

As for Cincinnati, it’s been playing much better than the 16-13 overall record suggests. The Bearcats, as mentioned above, have won 5 of their last 6 games and rank 7th-best in the sport during this stretch (per Torvik). They boast a road win at Kansas and 4 double-digit victories in the last month, too. Plus, Torvik has them as the 15th-best team nationally since January 17th. 

Cincy still has work to do to get into the NCAA Tournament. The Bearcats are currently on the outside looking in, according to most bracket projections. However, the arrow is pointing up ahead of this home matchup against BYU. It’s a prime opportunity to boost the resume and get off the bubble. 

The Bearcats’ defense is legit. They rank 13th nationally in defensive efficiency, according to KenPom, while allowing just 67.4 PPG over the past 9 contests. That defense, especially in the paint, will be key in tonight’s game. BYU’s offense is built on its ability to score inside with AJ Dybantsa and Robert Wright mostly living around the rim and in the mid-range. Well, Cincinnati has the size, physicality, and interior defense to control the paint. Dybantsa might get his points, but the supporting cast could be an issue tonight. 

On the other end, Cincinnati isn’t the best offensively, but everyone is scoring against BYU’s porous defense right now. The Cougars are especially struggling to defend the three-pointer, allowing Big 12 opponents to shoot 36.8% from deep in league play. That plays into Cincy’s strengths as it’s shooting a solid 34.1% from three in conference action. The Bearcats also lean on their perimeter scoring at the 2nd-highest rate in the Big 12. 

Let’s take Cincinnati to win this game. The Bearcats are worth backing right now, while BYU is one of the more fadeable teams. Plus, Cincy is 6-2 SU at home in conference play this year. Meanwhile, BYU is 1-5 in its last 6 road games. 

Nebraska vs. UCLA Prediction: Tuesday, 3/3

Simply put, UCLA is a completely different team at home. The Bruins are 8-1 at home in conference play this season, and 3-6 on the road. They’ve pulled off home upsets over Purdue and Illinois, while also suffering multiple blowout road losses. They also just lost to a subpar Minnesota team on the road this past Saturday. 

We get Mick Cronin’s squad in Pauley Pavilion tonight against No. 9 Nebraska. Let’s back UCLA to get yet another home victory and improve the NCAA Tournament resume. The Bruins are currently one of the last teams into the Big Dance, according to BracketMatrix.com. One more statement victory tonight would likely punch their ticket. 

As noted, UCLA is 8-1 at home in the Big Ten. The only home loss came in double overtime to Indiana. Otherwise, the Bruins regularly take care of business in their friendly confines. Conversely, travelling across the country in the Big Ten has clearly impacted how Cronin’s team plays on the road. Notably, UCLA has road wins at Oregon and Washington while staying on the West Coast and facing former Pac-12 foes. 

Nebraska, meanwhile, boasts a strong 25-4 record overall and a 14-4 mark in conference play. After hitting a mini-slump in February, the Cornhuskers have gotten back on track with 3 straight double-digit wins coming into this game. Despite this current form, they’re worth fading on the road here for a few reasons. 

First, Nebraska still hasn’t proven it can beat good teams in quite some time. The Cornhuskers’ last 9 wins have all come against teams projected to miss the NCAA Tournament. They also haven’t beaten a projected Tournament team since early January against Indiana and/or Ohio State. Since then, Nebraska has come up short in each of its toughest tests against Michigan, Illinois, Purdue, and Iowa. 

Give credit to Nebraska for winning those expected games on its schedule. Still, the failure to get it done against the toughest competition lately is a tad worrisome. UCLA, meanwhile, boasts those marquee wins over Illinois and Purdue at home – even if it’s also lost badly on the road. 

As for this matchup, specifically, three-point shooting on both ends can give UCLA the victory. The Bruins are shooting 37.9% from deep this season (23rd in Division I). Nebraska allows the 8th-most three-point attempts per game in the country. The Cornhuskers may be holding teams to 29.4% on those shots (10th nationally), but the perimeter defense has been worse against tougher competition. 

UCLA can build a lead if it gets going from three-point range, which has been the case more often than not at home in conference play. The Bruins have multiple shooters to exploit Nebraska’s defense that allows a ton of three-point shots. Tyler Bilodeau (45% on threes), Trent Perry (42%), Skyy Clark (48%), and Xavier Booker (42%) can all be difference-makers. That’s in addition to point guard Donovan Dent, who usually plays his best at home. 

On the other end, Nebraska’s offense tends to live and die by the three. The Huskers are shooting 37.4% from deep in conference play (1st in Big Ten) and rely on three-point scoring at the highest rate in the conference. UCLA, though, is holding teams to 31.6% from beyond the arc this season. 

If Nebraska isn’t making those threes, then the offense could go into scoreless stretches. It ranks 319th nationally in offensive rebounding and 355th in free-throw attempts rate, which aren’t conducive to winning on the road in the Big Ten. Let’s take UCLA to beat the Cornhuskers, who could also be looking ahead to a revenge game against Iowa this weekend. 

 

 

 

Best College Basketball Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 3/3

Get $1,500 in Bonus Bets Today at BetMGM Sportsbook When You Sign Up

Before you lock in our college basketball best bets today, take advantage of this awesome offer from BetMGM Sportsbook. Click here to sign up and use our BetMGM promo code ALARM to get $1,500 in bonus bets today. 

All you have to do is deposit a minimum of $10 and place your first wager. If your bet wins, great! If it loses, then you can receive up to $1,500 back in bonus bets from BetMGM Sportsbook. Just click here to get started and use promo code ALARM.

 

Â