The Atlantic 10 Tournament and the Big East Tournament are both at crucial points, with teams fighting for conference titles and gaining momentum as March Madness approaches. On Saturday, there’s an exciting Atlantic 10 Tournament semifinal showdown between the Dayton Flyers and the Saint Louis Billikens. 

Plus, the Big East Tournament championship game featuring the UConn Huskies against the St. John's Red Storm at Madison Square Garden. Here are some college basketball best bets today for two of the biggest games of the slate.

College Basketball Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 3/14

Conference tournaments often lead to special betting scenarios. Teams can either gain momentum from winning multiple games in a row or take advantage of rest after securing higher seeds. When familiar teams face off, the games tend to be closer, especially if they’ve already split their regular-season matchups.

Both games on Saturday fit this description perfectly. Dayton and Saint Louis have already faced each other in two competitive games this season, while UConn and St. John’s are set to clash for the Big East championship. Let’s analyze both games and explore our top college basketball predictions for Saturday.

Dayton vs. St. Louis Prediction: Saturday, 3/14

Saint Louis comes into this game with a strong 27–4 record and boasts one of the most dynamic offenses in the Atlantic 10. The Billikens score nearly 87 points on average each game, placing them among the top-scoring teams in the conference. Their fast-paced play and ability to create effective scoring chances have been key to their success this season.

In the last round of the tournament, the Billikens were down by 14 points at halftime against George Washington, but came back with a powerful 54–33 run in the second half to win 88–81.  Even though Saint Louis has been one of the best teams in the conference, Dayton poses a tough challenge due to their strong defense and ability to control the game's pace.

The Flyers score around 75 points per game while giving up about 70 points. Their strategy is all about managing the tempo, minimizing errors, and making opponents work hard in half-court situations.

Dayton’s first game in the tournament perfectly illustrated their style of play. In their victory over St. Bonaventure, the Flyers dominated defensively and executed well in the final moments to win 68–63. Guard Javon Bennett was exceptional, scoring 27 points and hitting six three-pointers.

The two teams split their regular-season matchups, with each team winning on their home court. Saint Louis had a strong showing in the first game, winning 102–71, but Dayton came back with a solid 77–62 victory in the second game.

That second game was especially revealing. Dayton managed to limit Saint Louis to only 40% shooting while forcing turnovers and dominating the defensive rebounds. The Flyers also shot nearly 47% from the field in that win, showing they can keep up with Saint Louis offensively when needed.

Since both teams have already shown they can beat each other this season, our college basketball best bets today call for a close game here. Dayton’s skills in defense, rebounding, and minimizing turnovers put them in a good position to stay competitive. Even if Saint Louis manages to move on, the Flyers should still be in the game until the end.

  • Best Bet: Dayton +5.5 (-110 at Novig)

UConn vs. St. John’s Prediction: Saturday, 3/14

UConn comes into this matchup with an impressive record of 28–4 and boasts one of the top defenses in the nation. They allow just over 65 points per game and are recognized as leaders in defensive efficiency.

In the quarterfinals, UConn overwhelmed Xavier with a score of 93–68, limiting the Musketeers to a mere 37% shooting percentage. They continued their strong defensive performance in the semifinals against Georgetown.

On the offensive side, UConn is both balanced and effective. The Huskies have a shooting percentage of nearly 49% from the field and excel at ball movement, ranking high in assists nationally. Key players like Solomon Ball and Braylon Mullins contribute significantly to the scoring while ensuring the offense runs smoothly.

Nonetheless, St. John’s heads into the championship game with a lot of momentum on their side. The Red Storm boasts a 26–6 record and has been one of the most exciting offensive teams in the Big East. They score an average of about 82 points per game and depend on solid rebounding and aggressive play in the paint to create chances to score.

St. John’s made it to the championship game by beating Providence and Seton Hall, with several players stepping up offensively in each win. In the semifinal victory over Seton Hall, four players scored in double digits, with forward Zuby Ejiofor leading the team with 20 points.

UConn’s defense will definitely pose challenges, but St. John’s balanced offense and rebounding skills could create issues if the game turns more physical in the paint. Playing at Madison Square Garden also offers a supportive environment for the Red Storm, who often receive strong backing in New York.

With both teams capable of scoring and the championship stakes heightening the intensity, our college basketball best bets today believe that this matchup could very well come down to the final minutes. St. John’s ability to create second-chance opportunities and attack the inside could be the key in a closely fought game.

  • Best Bet: St. John’s ML (+128 at Novig)

Best College Basketball Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 3/14

Looking for more college basketball predictions? Don't worry – we've got you sorted right here with two more college basketball best bets today!

  • Cornell vs. Yale Spread Pick: Bulldogs -3.5 (-114 at Novig)
  • St. Joseph’s vs. VCU Spread Pick: Hawks +6.5 (-110 at Novig)

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