College Basketball Best Bets: Three Favorite Picks for Thursday, December 29

Another great slate of college basketball games awaits on Thursday night, and as always we are here to help you win some money with our Best Bets. We're looking to keep it rolling on Thursday, December 29. We're looking to give you some winning best bets using a combination of key stats and trends, as well as some artificial intelligence from our DimersBOT NCAA basketball predictions. With that said, keep reading so that we can help you narrow down what you should be taking on a solid Thursday of NCAA basketball betting. We are focused on a trio of Big Ten games tonight, featuring the Purdue Boilermakers, the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Michigan Wolverines. If you haven't already, you should consider signing up for DraftKings ➡️ here ⬅️ as you can turn a $5 pre-game moneyline bet on any game into a free $150 if your team wins. 

RELATED: College Basketball Bet Hub 

College Basketball Best Bets for Thursday, December 29

Purdue Boilermakers vs. Florida A&M Rattlers - 5:00PM ET

The #1 team in the country, the Purdue Boilermakers, made their case early in the season in dominant wins against Duke and Gonzaga in back to back games. However, they haven't exactly dominated against the spread in the same fashion. The Boilermakers are just 4-8 ATS this season, and have not covered the spread in six consecutive games.

It is incredibly difficult to win a college basketball game by 36 or more points. You almost have to have something against the opposing coach or program and intentionally go into a game trying to win by 40+.  Matt Painter and this Purdue team don't strike me as the type that care about style points like that. They have only won two games this season by 20+ points, let alone 36. 

BET: Florida A&M +36 (-110) at DraftKings Sportsbook

🏀 Purdue vs. Florida A&M Predictions
📈 Betting preview: Purdue vs. Florida A&M

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Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers - 7:00PM ET

I got the chance to see both these teams in person a few weeks ago, and Nebraska nearly knocked off the #1 team in the country at home, while Iowa got upset by an average Wisconsin team. The biggest problem for the Hawkeyes was their injuries, as star Kris Murray has missed four consecutive games and Connor McCaffery has also been out. They are both expected back in this one, and that should make all the difference.

Before Murray got injured, Iowa covered five of seven games to start the season. Following a very embarrassing loss last week, we expect Iowa to bounce back strong. Nebraska is just 1-6 against top 100 opponents this season, and five of those six losses have come by 12 points or more. In the Fred Hoiberg era, Nebraska has lost four straight games against Iowa by an average margin of 23 points per game.

BET: Iowa -4.5 (-110) at DraftKings Sportsbook

🏀 Iowa vs. Nebraska Predictions
📈 Betting preview: 🏀 Iowa vs. Nebraska

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Michigan Wolverines vs. Central Michigan Chippewas - 7:00PM ET

Michigan has been one of the most disappointing teams in the country this season. The Wolverines have proven they will play up or down to competition, and they aren't likely to blow lesser teams out by large margins. In 11 games this season, Michigan has won just one game by 20 or more points (Pitt). They didn't cover 20 points in games against Lipscomb, Jackson State, Ohio, Eastern Michigan and Purdue Fort Wayne.

Central Michigan has lost eight games this year, but seven have been by 21 points or less. Their largest loss was a 24-point L at Marquette, who plays faster and is much more well-rounded than Michigan. Don't be surprised if the Chippewas keep this one close.

BET: Central Michigan +21 (-110) at DraftKings Sportsbook

Best College Basketball Parlay Today

There are numerous different ways you can wager on College Basketball games in 2022, such as the moneyline, spread, total, player and team props, and, of course, parlays. While we normally suggest taking our picks on their own, we also really love parlays! With that said, check out the fat payout you can get by throwing all of our best bets together tonight. 

🔥 Florida A&M +36
🔥 Iowa -4.5
🔥 Central Michigan +21

*All odds and lines correct at time of publishing