Nearing the end of the second week of the college basketball season, two undefeated teams are set to battle in Sin City, while two former national champions lock horns in Michigan. In the first highlighted matchup from SBS, undefeated Illinois (3-0) squares off with the new Bruins from UCLA in a duel at the T-Mobile Arena. Back east, Michigan State welcomes Villanova to East Lansing where the Spartans have had a solid home-field advantage over the years. In each contest, both squads will be vying for early-season momentum as they try to get ahead heading into the holiday season.
For this article, SBS will be going over what to look for from each squad, who will win each game, and also some other thoughts about NCAA basketball wagering.
| NCAA Basketball Week two Games | The Pick |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois at UCLA | Bruins -3.5 | -115 | -115 | -115 |
| Villanova at Michigan State | Spartans -6.5 | -110 | -110 | -110 |
Team Spotlight: Illinois
The Fighting Illini have been riding a solid wave of momentum this season since getting bounced out of the NCAA Tournament by Houston back in March. With a perfect 3-0 record, Illinois has blasted past the competition with blowout wins over Eastern Illinois, Kansas City, and Monmouth. Led by guard Terrance Shannon Jr. (22.7 points per game and 3.7 assists per game), the Illini have been scoring points in bunches (92 ppg). However, this will be their biggest test since the Cougars back in March Madness and a huge early-season battle.
Team Spotlight: UCLA
After falling to North Carolina in the NCAA tournament last season, 73-66, the Bruins are back with a vengeance as the early favorites to win the PAC-12. Another squad with a 3-0 record, UCLA has gotten past a slightly tougher slate of competition with wins over Norfolk State, Long Beach State, and also Sacramento State. This should be a great early season test for UCLA who has been averaging over 50% from the field at 51.8%. A veteran roster, the guard duo of Jaylen Clark (17.3 ppg and 8 rebounds per game) and Tyger Campbell (4.3 apg) has been dynamite for the boys from Los Angeles.
Prediction: Though this will be an excellent showcase for both teams who will end up in the NCAA Tournament, the Bruins have the slight edge here given their more distinguished resume.
Team Spotlight: Villanova
After losing a stunning game to in-state for Temple, Villanova bounced back with a 10-point win over Delaware State earlier this week. This contest against Michigan State will certainly be the toughest challenge the Wildcats have faced thus far this season though. A talented squad under the direction of a first-year head coach, Villanova will have its work cut out on the road. Forward Eric Dixon has been a big offensive bright spot for “Nova with 18 ppg.
Team Spotlight: Michigan State
The Spartans have done a great job this season of scheduling challenging non-conference games with this contest with Villanova being another tough battle. Michigan State is coming off a dramatic double-overtime win over Kentucky, 86-77. Prior to that, the Spartans lost by one point to Gonzaga, which, while disappointing, was a good test for the Michigan State squad. MSU forward Joey Hauser has been an excellent asset for the Spartans this season with 14.3 ppg and a 42.4% field goal percentage.
Prediction: A pretty solid matchup, Michigan State should get the win here thanks to the home-field advantage and deeper roster.
After you are all set with your latest round of NCAA wagers, SBS has you covered with a ton of great resources to keep the good times rolling. For more information related to NCAA men’s basketball, make sure to check out our NCAAB betting sites rundown which goes over the latest games and also bonuses to keep you on the court. Speaking of bonuses, the SBS best bonus betting sites overview contains a catalog of different bonus offers. This page will help you get the most out of all welcome bonus promotions. Finally, for those on the go, our best betting apps guide is a fantastic page to find all you need about mobile betting and never miss out on any action.
About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football and basketball across the country. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones. CURRENTLY Business Development and freelance sports writing RESIDES IN Reno, NV EDUCATION University of Nevada BS and MBA EXPERTISE -Sports writing proficiency in: NFL, NBA, UFC, boxing, golf, and some motor sports -Topical news -Promotional and marketing ideas/updates -Business development Summary Chris Boline serves in a business development sales capacity as his day job. He has previously held sales/marketing positions with The Applied Companies (TAC), KTVN 2 News and the NBA G League’s Reno Bighorns, affiliate of the Sacramento Kings. He is a Reno native and is a member of various community boards including the Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, NCET and the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA). Chris graduated from the University of Nevada in 2015 with a bachelors in management and economics and also earned his MBA from Nevada in 2023. More about Chris: Past president of the College of Business Alumni Association (COBAA) 2022-23 Two-time honoree for University of Nevada Alumni Chapter of the Year (Nevada Sagebrush Alumni Chapter, 2017 & COBAA, 2021) 2021 NCET award for Professional Services Organization of the Year with TAC Northern Nevada Human Resources Association 2020 Best Places to Work-Northern Nevada, Second Place with TAC 2016-17 Reno Bighorns MVP from the Sacramento Kings The Nevada Sagebrush editor-in-chief 2013-15 Associated Collegiate Press 2015 Four-year Non-daily Newspaper Pacemaker honoree University of Nevada, Reno College of Business Dean's List honoree (5x) from 2011-2015 Nevada Press Association award for Best Sports Column – Community in 2015 Education
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