College Basketball Predictions Today (March 20): Best Bets for NCAA Hoops

The college basketball betting schedule for today, March 20, 2026, includes Kentucky vs. Santa Clara, Villanova vs. Utah State, Clemson vs. Iowa, and more. 

Read below for basketball odds, best bets, win predictions, and analysis for a few of today’s top games.

Villanova vs. Utah State Prediction

Utah State is a slight favorite as the No. 9 seed in this game for a few reasons, but the one I think really matters is the absence of Matt Hodge. Villanova’s starting forward only averages about nine points per game, but the Wildcats’ offense is metrically worse without him in the lineup by a significant margin.

One place you can see this is Villanova’s recent Big East Tournament game against Georgetown, where the Wildcats got dominated on the glass and struggled with a size disadvantage. 

Utah State isn’t a terribly big team, but I do think the Aggies will be better positioned in this game, and part of it is simply the fact that they’re healthier. 

Prediction: Utah State -125

Tennessee vs. Miami (OH) Prediction

My read on Miami in the First Four game against SMU was absolutely dead on. With the cloud of its undefeated status finally removed from the RedHawks, they were free to play beautiful, selfish, carefree basketball. They ran SMU out of the gym in the last 25 minutes of that game.

Tennessee is a lot better than SMU, but Volunteers head coach Rick Barnes also has a history of disappointing tournament exits. More importantly, 12.5 points is a lot to give away to a team that isn’t cold and has already played a tournament game this week. 

I’m wary of taking the Miami hype too far and very aware of the public lust for Miami bets. I still like the RedHawks for Friday, but that’s probably where I’ll hop off the train. 

Prediction: Miami (OH) +12.5; Miami (OH) +500

Best College Basketball Bets Today: March 20, 2026

• Utah State -125
• Miami (OH) +12.5