UCONN vs. Gonzaga Prediction & College Basketball Picks 12/15

NCAA Best Bet Today #1: ⭐ Gonzaga +4.5 (-110) at ESPN Bet

No. 5 UCONN vs. No. 10 Gonzaga is the best matchup on Friday and one of the top college basketball contests of the weekend. It also serves as a rematch between two teams that met in the Elite Eight last season, with UCONN eventually advancing to win the national title. Now, the Huskies and Bulldogs will meet in Seattle in what will effectively be a home game for the Bulldogs. 

We're going with Gonzaga +4.5 (-110) at ESPN Bet. The Bulldogs should be able to take advantage of UCONN's poor perimeter defense, with the Huskeis ranking 325th in defensive 3-point percentage (37.4%). 

The Bulldogs also have the personnel inside to match UCONN big Donovan Clingan. Wyoming transfer and former Mountain West Player of the Year Graham Ike has continued Gonzaga's tradition of efficient bigs. Ike is averaging 14.2 points per game and his production has led to an advantage in points per possession at the rim on defense, with UCONN ranking 114th in this category, while Gonzaga sits 42nd. Ike's efficiency also has led to the Zags ranking 14th in points per possession at the rim on offense.

This spread is too large for a Gonzaga team in a revenge spot playing at home. The Bulldogs should be motivated after blowing an 11-point second-half lead to Washington on Saturday and this is Gonzaga's last nonconference test before WCC action begins. We expect a spirited effort and a cover from Gonzaga.

Betting Pick: Gonzaga +4.5 (-110) at ESPN Bet

NCAA Best Bet Today #2: ⭐ Anton Watson Over 6.5 Rebounds (-114) at ESPN Bet

Anton Watson is the veteran presence for Gonzaga. The super senior decided to return for a final year of eligibility and has continued to produce in the multiple ways he can affect a game. Watson is averaging 13.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and half a block and steal per game. Advanced stat systems such as EvanMiya love what Watson has done and ranks the Gonzaga power forward as the second-best all-around player in the country behind Purdue's Zach Edey. 

We're going to go with Anton Watson Over 6.5 Rebounds (-114) at ESPN Bet. This prop seems low considering Watson is averaging 8.2 boards per contest, but we also like the value we will get considering the minutes Watson will play. When he's not dealt with foul trouble against Power Five opponents this season, Watson has seen a large workload. He played 40 minutes against Washington and 37 minutes vs. Syracuse. In those games, he had 13 rebounds in each contest. 

When Watson has played at least 33 minutes, he's had games of 12, 13, 13 and 13 rebounds. The Bulldogs will need Watson's presence inside against Clingan and UCONN's frontcourt, which should see him play 30-plus minutes and record a high rebounding total once again.

Betting Pick:  Anton Watson Over 6.5 Rebounds (-114) at ESPN Bet

⭐ NCAA Best Bet Today #3:  Nolan Hickman Over 11.5 Points (-122) at ESPN Bet

Gonzaga's Nolan Hickman has benefitted from the addition of point guard Ryan Nembhard. The move allowed Hickman to operate more off the ball and the move has paid off. Hickman is averaging 12.6 points per game, nearly a five-point increase from the 7.7 he averaged a year ago. 

We're going with Nolan Hickman Over 11.5 Points (-122) at ESPN Bet. If there's one player who is set up to take advantage of UCONN's poor 3-point defense, it's Hickman who is making 36% from 3-point range and making nearly two 3s per contest. UCONN ranks 325th in defensive 3-point percentage (37.4%) and enters Friday on a strong shooting run. Hickman is 12 of 27 from 3-point range in his last five games and has scored at least 12 points in three of those contests. 

Hickman should find himself plenty of open looks on the perimeter off ball reversals or in transition against UCONN. Given how well he's also shot it as of late, we like the over on his scoring prop.

Betting Pick:  Nolan Hickman Over 11.5 Points (-122) at ESPN Bet

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