We’re into the final week of the 2025-26 college basketball regular season. Let’s dive into the top college basketball best bets today for Wednesday, March 4th. 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, 3/4

Our college basketball best bets today begin with a Big East matchup between Villanova and DePaul. Plus, we break down an intriguing ACC showdown as SMU hosts Miami (FL). Check out more college basketball predictions below for other games today, including Purdue vs. Northwestern and Texas vs. Arkansas. Let’s jump in.  

 

 

 

Villanova vs. DePaul Prediction: Wednesday, 3/4

Villanova is coming off an embarrassing 32-point loss to St. John’s this past weekend. The Wildcats should be plenty motivated to get back on track Wednesday against a much easier opponent. DePaul, meanwhile, might be slightly overvalued with its current form. 

The Blue Demons are 4-1 in their last 5 games and appear to be trending up. However, 3 of these recent wins have come against Creighton (twice) and Marquette. The former is 2-8 over the last month, and the latter is 5-13 in conference play. DePaul did comfortably beat Seton Hall on the road, though the Pirates aren’t an NCAA Tournament team either. 

This latest string of victories is nice, but DePaul is still just a middle-of-the-pack team in the Big East. When the Blue Demons have faced the upper-echelon of the league, they are 0-5 against UConn, St. John’s, and Villanova. Plus, 4 of those losses were by double digits. 

Yes, DePaul “only” lost by 5 points on the road at Villanova back in December. In that game, the Demons outshot and outrebounded the Wildcats, who were held to their second-lowest point total in a conference win this year. Yet, Villanova still won. 

Even on the road for this rematch, Nova should come out ahead with a few key edges on both ends of the floor. DePaul is allowing a conference-worst 38.0% three-point shooting during Big East play. It also ranks 300th nationally in three-point defense overall this season. That’s an issue against the Wildcats, who lean heavily on their perimeter scoring while taking and making plenty of threes. 

Villanova is also first and second, respectively, in offensive block and steal rates during conference play. That’ll help the ‘Cats be more efficient on offense, especially if they’re having success from deep. DePaul is below average defensively in generating blocks and steals. 

On the other end, Nova should win the turnover battle. The Wildcats force turnovers at the third-best rate in the Big East. Conversely, DePaul ranks dead last in the conference in offensive turnover rate. It’s also 251st nationally in that category this season. 

Plus, Villanova is holding Big East opponents to a league-low 31.4% on three-pointers. The defense regularly forces teams inside while shutting down the perimeter scoring. DePaul is 233rd in the country in three-point shooting and likely won’t get many buckets from outside. Things aren’t much better in the paint, though, as the Blue Demons are 204th nationally in two-point offense. 

Let’s back Villanova to cover the spread en route to a win by multiple possessions. The Wildcats are a perfect 6-0 after a loss this year, winning 5 of those games by 9+ points. They’re also 13-1 in the Big East against anyone not named UConn and St. John’s. Those opponents have given Nova trouble, but it’s regularly taken care of business when facing the rest of the league. 

Miami FL vs. SMU Prediction: Wednesday, 3/4

After losing back-to-back games, SMU should be in desperation mode to stay on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble. The Mustangs are currently projected to be a No. 10 seed in the bracket, but things could get murky if they don’t finish the season with a resume-boosting win or two. Tonight’s home matchup against Miami (FL) presents a prime opportunity. 

SMU will benefit a ton by returning home from its recent West Coast swing. That road trip saw the Mustangs lose to both Cal and Stanford, the latter by a 20-point deficit. Yet, dropping those games is a bit understandable for the recent ACC newcomers who aren’t familiar with playing out West. They’re also 2-6 on the road in league play. 

At home, though, SMU has usually taken advantage of being the unfamiliar travel spot for ACC foes. It’s 6-2 at home in conference play, with the only losses coming by a combined 5 points to Virginia and NC State. The Mustangs have quality home wins over UNC and Louisville, and adding Miami to that list would certainly improve the Tournament resume. 

The Hurricanes, admittedly, have been playing very well lately. They’re 8-2 over the last 10 games, 12-4 in conference play, and 23-6 overall this season. There’s no denying how good Miami has looked, but it’s also a decent time to sell high. 

As for this matchup, specifically, it could be a bad one for Miami on both ends. The ‘Canes lean on their interior scoring at the 9th-highest rate in the country, and the most in the ACC. They’re also shooting just 31.7% from three in conference play (16th in ACC). 

Well, SMU’s defense routinely forces opposing teams to the perimeter and shuts down the paint. The Mustangs rank 28th nationally and 1st in the conference in two-point scoring rate. Conversely, they allow three-point scoring at the 348th-worst rate in the country. This tendency directly goes against what Miami likes to do offensively, and the Hurricanes don’t have the shooters to exploit SMU’s shaky perimeter defense. 

On the other end, the Mustangs’ own three-point shooting gets a great matchup. SMU is shooting an ACC-best 40.9% from deep during conference play, and it ranks 22nd nationally in three-point shooting overall this season. Miami, meanwhile, is allowing teams to shoot 36.3% from three during league play (15th in ACC). Its three-point defense also ranks 242nd in the country. 

Unfortunately, SMU will be without B.J. Edwards tonight. However, the Mustangs still have plenty of shooters and a strong backcourt to exploit Miami’s defensive flaws. Senior guards Boopie Miller (18.9 PPG, 41.5% 3PT FG) and Jaron Pierre (17.6 PPG, 37.3%) will be key tonight. Plus, Corey Washington (42.6% from three) and Jermaine O’Neal (40%) can both get hot as well. 

Let’s take SMU to win this game and get back in the win column. Andy Enfield’s squad is 15-4 after a loss over the past 2 seasons. Back the Mustangs to respond at home. 

 

 

 

Best College Basketball Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 3/4

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.