Ricky Dimon
Show Bio
The NBA generally takes center stage on Martin Luther King Day and there is even a first-ever Monday night NFL wild-card playoff game. But college basketball isn’t completely avoiding the festivities and will compete at least somewhat for air time. A small slate of games is headlined by a huge Big 10 showdown between Purdue and Illinois. Indiana, Nebraska, Arizona State, and Utah are also taking the court.
Here is our three-team mega parlay.
Purdue ML (+100)
Nebraska +9 (-110)
Arizona State -7.5 alternate spread (+220)
Parlay odds: +1122
For this parlay we are going with one favorite against an alternate spread and two underdogs – one on the money line and one plus the points. Let’s break down each of the three legs one by one.
Purdue ML over Illinois (+100)
The Purdue offense is a locomotive, averaging 85.6 points per game on 50.6% shooting from the field, both of which rank in the top 5 nationally. The Illini are winners of 6 straight games and are the only remaining unbeaten team in Big 10 competition. Illinois’ last game was a 68-53 victory over a hapless Michigan team that shot 36.7% from the field, including horrendous 1-of-10 shooting from 3-point range. Much like the Purdue, Illinois has its own dominant big man in Kofi Cockburn — who is leading the conference with 12.3 rebounds per game. He ranks second in the Big 10 with 21.9 points per game. The Illini have issues protecting the ball, though, as they average 14 turnovers per game, which is something they will need to avoid against this lethal Purdue team. Purdue is constructed similarly to an Arizona team that beat Illinois in December. Boiler Up!
Check out our Purdue vs Illinois preview
Nebraska +9 over Indiana (-110)
The Hoosiers had the weekend off after losing at Iowa on Thursday. The loss dropped their record to 3-3 in the Big 10. It also added to their pattern of winning at home and losing on the road in the conference. Losses to the Hawkeyes and Badgers are not concerning, but they also fell at Penn State. At 0-7, Nebraska is the only team in the Big 10 without a league win. With guards Bryce McGowens and Alonzo Verge Jr., the Cornhuskers can match backcourt talent with anyone in the league — but beyond those 2 it has been hard to find regular production. As such the Hoosiers should get their first road win of the season today, but they will be pushed by the ‘Huskers. Take Nebraska plus a lot of points.
Check out all our college basketball previews and picks for Monday
Arizona State -7.5 alternate spread over Utah (+220)
Utah and Arizona State are 0-8 SU combined since Christmas. The Utes have lost 5 in a row, with their most recent loss coming on Saturday at Arizona. They scored just 64 points and were without Branden Carlson, who will also miss the game against the Sun Devils. Arizona State has lost its last 3 games, with its most recent loss coming against Colorado by 18 points at home. Despite being 5-9, the Sun Devils have been an above-average defensive team and have held opponents to an average of 63.3 ppg on 37.4% shooting at home. The Utes are shooting just 40.4% in conference play and failed to reach 65 points in the past 2 games without Carlson. Their defense has not been any better, either. Over their last 5 games the Utes have allowed opponents to shoot better than 50% from the field while allowing an average of 80 ppg. Arizona State is the more likely of the two teams to get on track — and it could do so in a big way.
Check out our Utah vs Arizona State preview
Pickswise is the home of free College Basketball Picks and College Basketball Predictions. With top College Basketball picks available daily, including our College Basketball Best Bets.
