NCAA Basketball Best Bets: Kansas vs. Houston, UConn vs. Georgetown Conference Tournament Picks & Odds (Mar. 13)

Four big-name programs take the floor tonight in conference tournament semifinals. Three of them are fine-tuning for March Madness, and the other is trying to be a Cinderella and sneak into the NCAA tournament. Let's take a look at the NCAA basketball best bets for Friday, Mar. 13.

(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Rankings here are tournament rankings:

• BIG EAST: Georgetown (11) vs. UConn (2), 8 PM ET on FS1
• BIG 12: Kansas (3) vs. Houston (2), 9:30 PM ET on ESPN

NCAA Basketball Best Bets for Friday, Mar. 13

Georgetown (16-17) is the only team in this quartet that is playing to extend its season. The Hoyas are not anywhere on the radar of the NCAA Men's Tournament Selection Committee. But if they find a way to beat the Huskies, Georgetown could force its way into March Madness.

Out in the Big 12, the Kansas Jayhawks are somehow underdogs against the Houston Cougars in the conference tourney semis, in what some basketball bettors feel is the real conference final. Does that tip my hand on how I'll bet on that game? Read on, hoops fans. All picks can be found within Caesars Sportsbook.

Looking for more NCAA basketball and sports betting promotions? We have compiled a list of the best sports betting offers for you here.

Give Up the Points and Take UConn to Roll over Georgetown

Some bettors think the spread at the vig rate is boring betting. Some bettors think the only fun wager is a parlay. Well, some bettors lose a lot. I don't mind drinking a tall glass of "standard juice," which is what sharp bettors call a -110 odds pick.

The Huskies are loaded with up-and-down-the-floor talent. They can defend, run the floor, and rebound. They also get the ball in the hoop, which is required to win. This is all to say: UConn is much more talented than the pesky Hoyas.

Give up the points on the spread, all 15 of them, and go with the "vig line" at -110. That means you will bet $110 and win $100 if UConn wins by more than 15.

• BEST BET: UConn -15 (-110) in Big East Conference Semifinals

After a season of frustration last year, the insufferable Dan Hurley has his team prepared for March Madness and a possible return to the Final Four. Last season, Hurley and the Huskies had to watch St. John's earn the Big East trophy. This time, UConn is on a collision course to face the Red Storm in the Big East tourney finals on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

Best Brand

BetMGM Promo

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Get bonus now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, Massachusetts, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Best Bonus

FanDuel Promo

New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days

Get bonus now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelpLineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-8HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ D.C., KY, WY) and present in select states (for KS, in affiliation with Kansas Star Casino). First online real money wager only. Min $5 wager required for 7 consecutive days.$5 first deposit required. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bets which expire 7 days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA). ™/© 2026 MLB

Newcomer

DraftKings Promo

New DraftKings Customer: SPEND $5, GET $200 IN BONUSES

Get bonus now

To be eligible for DraftKings Sportsbook and the Promotion, you must be physically located in AR, AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA (select parishes), MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, NC, NJ, NH, NY, OH, OR, PA, PR (residents only), TN, VA, VT, WY, WV, CA-ONT or CA-AB (each an “Eligible Jurisdiction” or, collectively, the “Eligible Jurisdictions”). Must be 21+ years of age or older (18+ if in DC/NH/PR/WY/CA-AB) (19+ in CA-ONT). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA) Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $200 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 21 days. Bonus Bets and click-to-claims expire 7 days (168hrs) after issuance. Terms: Promos | DraftKings Sportsbook . Ends 9/20/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

Kansas Jayhawks +6 against Houston Cougars

For the life of me, I don't know why Kansas is a 6-point spread underdog against Houston. The Jayhawks defeated the Cougars by 13 last month. Kansas has a highly ranked defense (6th in the nation in opponent field goal percentage), has played the toughest schedule in men's hoops, and still managed 23 wins so far, and 12-6 in the conference.

Oh, and did you hear? Kansas has the best overall player in the country, a guy named Darryn Peterson? This is precisely the type of talent that can carry a team in tournament play. Every game is a must-win. It's survive-and-advance. It's net-cutting time.

Peterson was made for postseason play. Next year, I'll be writing about his NBA Rookie of the Year Odds.

Take the points that Kansas is (somehow) getting, and wager $110 that they beat that spread. You'll be $100 richer for it if they do.

• BEST BET: Kansas +6 (-110) vs. Houston in Big 12 Conference Semifinals

In case you're interested, the odds are +205 on the moneyline for a Kansas outright win. I don't hate those odds. I'm going to throw $20 on that market for a potential $41 profit.