For the first time since the start of the 2021 NFL season, there is no football on Monday night (either professional or college). This Monday is all about basketball, and the college slate is not disappointing. It is headlined by an all-ranked showdown between Kansas and Texas Tech, while USC, Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida are also in action.
Here is our 3-team mega parlay for the festivities.
Ole Miss ML (+175)
North Carolina -9.5 alternate spread (+185)
Texas Tech +7 (-110)
Parlay odds: +1396
Let’s break down each of the legs one by one.
Ole Miss ML over Florida (+175)
The Rebels are led by Jarkel Joiner, who is averaging 13.6 ppg. Teammate Daeshun Ruffin is the only other player scoring in double-figures with 11 ppg. The visiting Gators are coming off a 62-48 home win over Vanderbilt on Saturday, but they are still just 3-3 in the SEC. Their 109th-ranked offense is led by senior forward Colin Castleton, who is averaging 15.4 ppg and a team-high 9.1 rpg. Phlandrous Fleming is the only other player scoring in double-figures with 10.6 ppg. In the last 5 head-to-head meetings between these teams, the home team has won every game, with the Gators winning 3 times in Gainesville and the Rebels getting the job done twice in Oxford. Florida is 1-2 in true road games this season. Don’t be shocked if those trends continue.
Check out our Florida vs Ole Miss preview
North Carolina -9.5 alternate spread over Virginia Tech (+185)
Virginia Tech enters this matchup off of a dreadful loss to Boston College this past Saturday. The Hokies appeared to have turned their season around after rattling off back-to-back wins over Notre Dame and N.C. State (their first 2 ACC wins of the season), but they threw all the momentum away against the Eagles. Virginia Tech struggled on the interior, getting out-rebounded by a 38 to 23 margin. North Carolina may be in a bit of a funk overall, but the offense is still rolling. Four different players are averaging double-digit scoring numbers and they rank 50th in scoring offense, averaging 77.9 points per game. In addition, UNC ranks first in the ACC in rebounds per game with 40.7, and VT has struggled mightily to rebound on both ends of the court. The Heels can win this one by double-digits.
Check out our Virginia Tech vs North Carolina preview
Texas Tech +7 over Kansas (-110)
Texas Tech is 15-4 on the season and is riding a 2-game winning streak. The Red Raiders were able to win both their games at home against West Virginia and Iowa State following their surprising loss at Kansas State. They beat West Virginia on the boards, winning the rebounding battle 39 to 29. Terrance Shannon Jr. seems to be back fully healthy, as he led the team in scoring with 23 points. That is a huge addition to this team, which had already been one of the best in the country without its star player. Kansas is on a 4-game winning streak since losing to Texas Tech on January 8. The Jayhawks may get revenge in this one at home, but 7 points should be enough for the visitors.
Check out all our college basketball previews and picks for Monday
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