NCAA Basketball Late Game Picks & Predictions for Saturday, Feb. 14

With well over 300 programs, the number of potential NCAA basketball games on any given day is impressive. This is especially true on weekends when we often see the most competitive games scheduled. That is certainly the case today.

Now, when we typically talk about late games, contests that start at 6:30 p.m. EST are probably not considered "late games." But we are talking about the No. 1 team in the nation coming off a loss, taking on a talented No. 16 Texas Tech team. Yeah, that’s a game I have to talk about.

(Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

So, let’s get right to it and talk about it along with a few other exciting Saturday matchups. All the odds used in these picks can be found at bet365.

No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. No. 1 Arizona Wildcats

The Wildcats were 5.5-point road favorites in their recent game against No. 9 Kansas. But that didn’t stop the Jayhawks from putting on a show for home fans, and handing the No. 1 team in the nation its first loss of the season. Texas Tech had its own issues with Kansas, falling to the Jayhawks at home (Feb. 2) in a close one, 64-61.

Arizona is driven by its offense

The Wildcats hold the No. 1 scoring unit in the Big 12 with 88.8 points per game. On the defensive end, they rank sixth allowing 68.2 points per game allowed. Arizona is the No. 1 rebounding team in the conference and ranks first in free throws made, fast-break points and field goal percentage.

One thing the Wildcats do not do well is shoot three-pointers. They rank sixth in the Big 12 in three-point percentage, but dead last in attempts and made shots.

• My Pick: Arizona -9 at -110

Texas Tech is a good team, but it doesn’t quite have the skillset needed to take down Arizona. Their defense may be able to slow down the Wildcats' offensive onslaught for a half, but it is not good enough to keep it going for a full game.

Shooting will be a key factor for both teams Saturday

Kansas got an edge on the Wildcats on the free-throw line. But even if the Red Raiders get there, they aren’t a strong team from the charity stripe. Arizona is not a three-point shooting team, but I don’t see how Texas Tech could build a big enough lead to force the Wildcats to shoot from deep.

Factor in Arizona playing at home and looking to move past their first loss of the season, and laying the points is the best bet for this game.

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NCAA Basketball Parlay: Picking The Late Games

• Georgetown vs. No. 6 UConn: UNDER 138.5 at -110

How in the world was this such a close game the first time around (64-62, UConn)? Well, Georgetown won the rebounding battle, was more efficient from the floor and held UConn to 19% from three-point range. Since that game, the Hoyas have gone 4-2. I think UConn will win this one and could absolutely cover. I’m not confident with them covering with how the first game went and recent play.

I am confident, however, that this will be another low-scoring game.

• No. 15 Virginia -4.5 (vs. Ohio State)

The Buckeyes may be getting a little underappreciated with this spread. Virginia is 21-3 while the Buckeyes are 16-8, but the Ohio State has had to face a conference slate stacked with ranked teams (0-5 vs. top-25 opponents). Virginia has faced two (1-1). However, I think the Virginia defense is good enough to get the job done at this neutral-site game (Nashville); the Cavaliers will cover.

• No. 12 Gonzaga -4.5 at -110 (vs. Santa Clara)

Gonzaga was a 17.5-point favorite in the first meeting at home and won by 12. This time, they are the road team and just a 4.5-point favorite. I’m not sure if that’s confidence in the Broncos or a lack of confidence in the Bulldogs. I don’t see an obvious and clear-cut deficiency that Gonzaga will exploit.

The game was tied at the half in the previous matchup, but Gonzaga made adjustments at the break and went on to win by 12 points. That is enough for me to believe they can cover this time.

• Parlay Odds: +595

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