Ricky Dimon
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The first huge post-Christmas college basketball slate is upon us. Unsurprisingly, multiple games scheduled for Wednesday have already gotten the axe because of Covid-19 issues. Nonetheless, a smorgasbord of games is still left. Among the teams taking the court are Purdue, Michigan State, Kansas, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Auburn, and LSU.
There is more than enough to work with as we try to formulate a winning mega parlay, so let’s take a look.
Georgia -9.5 alternate spread (+180)
Wake Forest ML (+185)
Miami (FL) -4 (-110)
Parlay odds: +1423
For this parlay we are going with two favorites against the spread – one on an alternate spread – and one underdog on the money line. Let’s break down each of the three legs one by one.
Georgia -9.5 alternate spread over Gardner Webb (+180)
It is hard to have much of a bead on Gardner Webb. GW might have 5 wins but 3 of those are against lower-level competition with the best beyond that a blowout against Western Carolina, a team ranked 298th by KenPom. The most we can say is that the Runnin’ Bulldogs can play some defense. In their two wins against teams at their level of competition, they have not given up 60 points. Georgia is not going to be intimidating for GW — not with 3 losses already to mid-major programs. All of those losses were at home, too, including their most recent game against East Tennessee State. The Dawgs have 2 significant players in Aaron Cook and Braelen Bridges — both transfers. Both have acclimated themselves well and are far more talented than anything the visitors bring to the table. UGA can win this by double-digits at home.
Check out our Gardner Webb vs Georgia preview
Wake Forest ML over Louisville (+185)
Wake Forest has gotten off to a great start this season, boasting an 11-1 record. The Demon Deacons are the 64th-most efficient offense, per KenPom, and have an effective FG% of 55.8% (19th) while averaging 81.2 ppg. Their efficiency and their veteran leadership have a lot to do with their success, as they shoot over 58% from 2-point range and 5 of their top 6 rotational players are seniors.
The lone junior, Jake LaRavia, returns to the lineup against Louisville after a bout with COVID and should instantly boost the Demon Deacons’ offense. LaRavia leads the team in shooting percentage and is second on the team in scoring, averaging 14 ppg. Alondes Williams leads the Wake Forest offense with 21 ppg, while Daivien Williamson averages 13.4 ppg. Louisville could struggle to match the offensive production of Wake; it has just 1 player who averages double-digit points in Noah Locke. Look for the Deacons to pull off an outright upset.
Check out our Wake Forest vs Louisville preview
Miami (FL) -4 over N.C. State (-110)
N.C. State is hoping that ACC play can snap it out of its current funk. After coming so close to knocking off a very good Purdue team, the Wolfpack dropped ensuing games against Richmond and then Wright State. In the latter, they were outscored by 15 points in the second half to lose by 14 at home in a game in which they were 11 point favorites. That is very discouraging. Dereon Seabron is the rare player averaging a double-double this season, but there is not much else to get excited about. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes have not been super impressive but they have won all 5 of their games in December — including a league game against Clemson. Kameron McGusty and Isaiah Wong give Miami a potent 1-2 punch. They are averaging 34 ppg combined. Back the ‘Canes.
Check out all our college basketball previews and picks for Wednesday
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