NCAAB Thursday parlay picks, betting odds and predictions

This Thursday there are five NCAA Basketball games featuring ranked teams, with Duke putting their perfect record on the line facing an undefeated California. Let’s take a look at the best odds and parlay picks on offer at BP’s top NCAAB betting sites.

Duke Blue Devils vs California Golden Bears

Betting line: Duke -19.5
Over/under: 136.5

In the 2K Empire Classic in New York City, top-ranked Duke are huge favorites against the undefeated California.

Duke have won their last three games by double digits after taking down third-ranked Kansas in the season opener. Tre Jones leads the team in points (17 ppg) and assists (5.8 apg) and more than doubled his season with 31 points in the Blue Devils’ 74-63 win over Georgia State last time out.

The Blue Devils have four players averaging in double figures. Among them is star freshman Vernon Carey Jr. (14.8 ppg), who leads the team with 8.3 rebounds per game.

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While Cal are 4-0, they have not faced a team from a major conference and did not look good in their last game as they edged out Prairie View A&M 54-50. The Bears had 22 turnovers in the game and only shot 38.6% from the floor. If those numbers repeat against Duke, they are toast.

Matt Bradley (20 ppg) leads three Golden Bears players averaging at least 11 ppg. After racking up 48 points in the first two games, he has totaled 32 points in the last two games.

Duke are giving nearly 20 points on the line, but the top-ranked team in the nation will still win and cover in the Big Apple.

PICK: Duke -19.5 @ -111.11 with Bovada

Texas Longhorns vs Georgetown Hoyas

Betting line: Texas -6
Over/under: 142.5

In the other game in the 2K Empire Classic, 22nd-ranked Texas are firm favorites for their clash with Georgetown.

The Longhorns are 4-0 on the season and have already beaten a ranked team in Purdue. They have won three of their last four games by double figures and their defense ranks in the top 20 in the nation, only giving up an average of 55.3 ppg.

Matt Coleman III leads Texas in scoring (14.5 ppg) and assists (4.5 apg) and has scored at least 17 points in two of his last three games. His season high was 22 points against 23rd-ranked Purdue. Andrew Jones (13.3 ppg) is the only other Longhorns player averaging in double figures.

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Georgetown are 3-1 and have beaten three teams that are not in major conferences while falling to Penn State from the Big 10. The Hoyas can score, but their defense is giving up 77.5 ppg and ranks 307th in the nation.

Omer Yurtseven (17 ppg) leads three Georgetown players averaging at least 12 ppg and also leads the team in rebounds with 12.5 rpg.

Dating back to last season, Georgetown have failed to cover the spread in their last six games. Look for that trend to continue as Texas win and cover with a great defensive game.

PICK: Texas -6 @ -111.11 with Bovada

Xavier Musketeers vs Towson Tigers

Betting line: Xavier -10
Over/under: 133.5

Towson have lost their last two games after winning their first two and gave a ranked Florida team a fight in their last game as they went down 66-60. While they are averaging 78 ppg, their one game scoring over 100 points was facing a Division III team.

Towson’s leading scorer in Nigel Haughton has only played in one game and is questionable in this one and their second-leading scorer in Brian Fobbs (13.5 ppg) has missed all 15 of his three-pointers.

Xavier are off to a solid 4-0 start and are winning with their defense, which ranks 35th in the nation and is giving up an average of 58.5 ppg. Their defense has been needed since the Musketeers are not a high-scoring team.

Naji Marshall leads the team with 16.5 ppg, but Xavier have struggled with the long ball and hold a three-point FG% of only 20.9%.

The total points line for this game in the Charleston Classic is set low, and with good reason. Xavier will get the W because of their good defense and the Under is the pick in this non-conference affair.

PICK: Under 133.5 @ -111.11 with Bovada

NCAAB Thursday parlay odds

• Duke -19.5
• Texas -6
• Xavier vs Towson Under 133.5

Bovada parlay odds = +470