Best Sports Betting Picks Today: College Basketball Predictions for February 26th

Athletic excellence in the SEC is just as prevalent in men’s basketball as it is in football. In the most recent AP poll, eight SEC teams are in the top 25, with four in the top six—making the conference a key focus for our list of “Best Bets for Wednesday, Feb. 26.”

The odds listed here are via DraftKings, but I highly recommend line shopping to ensure you get the best value for each bet.

Best Bets for Feb. 26: Ole Miss vs. Auburn

Ole Miss got off to a hot start this season at 15-2, including a win over then-No. 4 Alabama. But then things fell apart, with the Rebels losing six of their next 10 games, including their last two. Auburn, meanwhile, got back on track after its surprising loss to Florida a couple of weeks ago, winning four in a row.

However, the Tigers were 1-3 against the spread in those games because they were underdogs against Alabama and won. Auburn is 12-1 at home, while Ole Miss has gone 2-7 ATS in its last nine games and 1-3 on the road.

I’m not crazy about the spread, but Auburn excels at the things Ole Miss struggles with most. The Tigers will exploit those weaknesses en route to a runaway victory.

Our pick: Auburn -12.5 (-110)

Vanderbilt vs. Texas A&M

The Commodores halted their three-game losing streak last Saturday with a win over Ole Miss. However, the victory was just Vanderbilt’s second in seven games. Road games have not been kind to the Commodores— their only road win in conference play came in their SEC opener against LSU in Baton Rouge.

They’ll face a Texas A&M team desperate for a win after losing its last two. Why the urgency? A loss would extend the Aggies’ losing streak to three and put them in serious danger of stretching it to five, with upcoming matchups at Florida and against No. 1 Auburn.

I’d expect the Aggies to get it together for a winnable home game before facing two top-three teams. But Vanderbilt is no pushover and will put up a fight. That said, I have little confidence in the Commodores on the road.

If taking the Aggies makes you uneasy, give the under serious consideration (145.5 at -110).

Our pick: Texas A&M -7.5 (-110)

Kentucky vs. Oklahoma

Conference play has been rough for the Sooners. After rolling through their nonconference schedule undefeated (13-0), Oklahoma has struggled in SEC play, going 4-10 with losing streaks of four and five games. The Sooners just snapped the five-game skid with a win over Mississippi State last Saturday.

Kentucky has been better in conference play but nothing special (7-7), and the Sooners may be catching the Wildcats at the right time. Kentucky has lost two of its last three and four of its last five road games.

It’s a little surprising the line is this small. Kentucky has one of the top offenses in the country, while Oklahoma’s defense is mediocre at best.

Our pick: Kentucky -2.5 (-102)