College basketball is officially back. There are more than 100 games scheduled for Monday, with BetMGM providing NCAA basketball odds for virtually every game between two Div. I teams.
The top games today include Gonzaga vs. Purdue, BYU vs. Ohio State, Arizona vs. UCLA, and Florida vs. Miami.
Keep reading for some of my favorite college basketball betting angles for Monday, Nov. 2.
Florida vs. Miami (FL) Prediction
Florida opens the year as the national championship co-favorite alongside Duke, and that’s partially because virtually no one has the frontcourt size to challenge the Gators.
I’m handicapping with no current-year data available, which is always a risk. But to me, a 4.5-point spread feels too light here. It seems a bit like the market is trying to hedge against the unknown by keeping the point spreads shorter in games between power opponents.
That could make sense in other games, but Florida feels like a known commodity. It’s hard to pass on the Gators at this price.
Prediction: Florida -4.5
James Madison vs. Miami (OH) Prediction
At the beginning of the season, in the era of player movement in NIL, it’s always good to bet small and bet what you know.
One thing I know very well is my alma mater, James Madison. The Dukes have been shuffling through a lot of players since winning 30 games and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2024, but the word is out in Harrisonburg that this year’s team is quite good.
I was able to get a sneak peak at JMU when they scrimmaged VCU at the Siegel Center (down the street from my house) last month, and the hype is real. As long as the team stays healthy, I think this will be a mid-major team that receives some real attention this year.
That explains why JMU is a nominal favorite over 2025-26 darling Miami (OH), which made it all the way to the MAC Tournament before losing its first game. On the first day of the season, I’ll leverage what I know for an early prediction.
Prediction JMU -120
Best College Basketball Bets Today: Nov. 2, 2026
- Florida -4.5
- JMU -120
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