Griffin Warner and Big East Ben talk college basketball for this weekends action. The guys also give out best bets.

Summary of "CBB Friday Preview + Best Bets 11/22"

This episode of the "Need for Seeds College Basketball Podcast," hosted by Griffin Warner and "Big East Ben," reviews dramatic recent games, including Baylor vs. St. John’s, and previews upcoming matchups. It incorporates player and team analyses, betting insights, and predictions.

Game Highlights and Insights

1. Baylor vs. St. John’s (0:12 –7:29 )


2. Baylor narrowly defeated St. John’s 99–98 in double overtime, despite early struggles against St. John’s 72% three-point shooting in the first half. St. John’s blocked a dozen shots, revealing Baylor’s lack of rim awareness. Scott Drew’s timeout mismanagement and reliance on freshman guards highlighted Baylor’s struggles to close out the game.


3. Alabama vs. Illinois (7:54 –10:29 )


4. Alabama scored 103 points without National Player of the Year candidate Mark Sears, who opted to stay benched after recognizing an off night. Nate Oats praised Sears’ leadership, sparking debate about competitiveness.


5. Upcoming Matchups

• 
  Duke vs. Arizona (10:30 –14:02 ): Arizona’s home-court dominance and strong shooting favor them against Duke.


• 
  Wisconsin vs. UCF (14:03 –17:38 ): UCF’s rebounding strength challenges Wisconsin’s size, making UCF a strong pick as underdogs.


• 
  Pittsburgh vs. LSU (17:40 –21:15 ): LSU’s upset win over Kansas State raises intrigue, but Pitt’s efficiency inside makes them favorites.


• 
  Marquette vs. Georgia (24:57 –26:46 ): Marquette’s quality wins and turnover creation edge Georgia despite rebounding disparities.


• 
  Villanova vs. Maryland (29:19 –32:36 ): Maryland’s ability to stifle Villanova’s Eric Dixon and exploit Villanova’s poor form positions them as favorites.

Key Statistics and Analysis

• 
  Shooting Performance: St. John’s first-half three-point dominance (72%) and Wisconsin’s free-throw accuracy (88.6%) stood out.


• 
  Rebounding: UCF’s offensive rebounding (35th nationally) is a key advantage against Wisconsin’s lack of crash boards.


• 
  Player Contributions: B.J. Edgecombe (St. John’s) was a clutch performer but inconsistent, while Jeremy Roach’s (Baylor) turnovers exposed team vulnerabilities.


• 
  Coaching: Scott Drew’s timeout issues and Rick Pitino’s masterful handling of St. John’s shone.

Betting Picks

1. 
   Big East Ben’s Pick: Elon (+16.5) vs. Notre Dame – Favorable due to Elon’s height (5th tallest team) and strong two-point defense.


2. 
   Griffin Warner’s Pick: Wichita State (-3) vs. St. Louis – A stable program likely to capitalize on St. Louis’ inconsistencies.

Notable Quotes

• 
  “Scott Drew, you have three timeouts, and you let Roach go ISO... Are you freaking kidding me?” (4:17 ) – Critique of Baylor’s late-game strategy.


• 
  “Mark Sears knew it wasn’t his night and told Nate Oats to leave him out” (8:56 ) – Alabama’s Sears prioritizing team over personal performance.

This episode combined sharp game breakdowns, betting insights, and commentary, offering value for basketball enthusiasts and bettors alike.

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