Best bets today for all sports: Tuesday's picks include Illinois vs. USC men's college basketball play [2/17/2026]

Today’s best sports bets for February 17, 2026 are here, with Illinois vs. USC highlighted by our model across Tuesday’s play.

Dimers’ predictive analytics engine runs 24/7, searching the latest odds to find legitimate betting edges. The result? Data-backed picks that help Dimers Pro members make smarter decisions.

List of best bets for today [2/17, updated 10:31PM ET]

Below, you’ll find today’s top 10 bets, ranked by edge for Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Men's College Basketball: USC +9.5 (-115)

• Edge: 8.6%
• Probability: 62%
• Men's College Basketball matchup: Illinois vs. USC (10:00PM ET, Wednesday)

Our model has identified value on USC +9.5 at -115 odds. A 62% probability produces an edge of 8.6%, making this the strongest play for today's sports action.

Men's College Basketball: USC ML (+400)

• Edge: 7.8%
• Probability: 27.8%
• Men's College Basketball matchup: Illinois vs. USC (10:00PM ET, Wednesday)

USC ML carries a 7.8% edge and a probability of 27.8% at +400 odds, according to our model.

Men's College Basketball: Youngstown State -10.5 (-105)

• Edge: 7.0%
• Probability: 58.2%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: Cleveland State vs. Youngstown State (6:30PM ET, Wednesday)

Youngstown State -10.5 vs. Cleveland State at -105 odds shows a 7.0% edge, supported by a 58.2% probability in simulations.

Men's College Basketball: Holy Cross ML (-105)

• Edge: 6.4%
• Probability: 57.6%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: Lafayette vs. Holy Cross (6:00PM ET, Wednesday)

A 6.4% edge and 57.6% probability make Holy Cross at the moneyline at a value play in the Lafayette vs. Holy Cross matchup, per our model.

Men's College Basketball: Fordham -9.5 (-105)

• Edge: 5.6%
• Probability: 56.8%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: Loyola Chicago vs. Fordham (7:00PM ET, Wednesday)

Fordham -9.5 at -105 odds presents a 5.6% edge, with simulations resulting in a probability of 56.8%.

Tennis: Marton Fucsovics ML (+210)

• Edge: 5.3%
• Probability: 37.5%
• Tennis Matchup: Marton Fucsovics vs. Karen Khachanov (5:30AM ET, Wednesday)

Our model finds value on Marton Fucsovics to win at +210 odds at ATP Brisbane, supported by an edge of 5.3%.

Men's College Basketball: Rutgers +3.5 (-102)

• Edge: 5.0%
• Probability: 55.5%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: Rutgers vs. Penn State (6:00PM ET, Wednesday)

Our model has uncovered value on Rutgers +3.5 at -102 odds. A 55.5% probability produces a 5.0% edge, making this a strong play for today's men's college basketball action.

Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz -6.5 (+100)

• Edge: 5.0%
• Probability: 55%
• Tennis Matchup: Carlos Alcaraz vs. Valentin Royer (12:40PM ET, Wednesday)

A 5.0% edge on a 55% probability makes Carlos Alcaraz -6.5 at +100 odds a solid value play in this ATP Doha matchup.

College Basketball: Temple ML (-110)

• Edge: 4.9%
• Probability: 57.3%
• College Basketball Matchup: UAB vs. Temple (7:00PM ET, Wednesday)

Our model projects value on Temple to win at -110 odds. A 57.3% probability produces a 4.9% edge, making Temple the favorable ML play in Saturday’s college basketball matchup.

Men's College Basketball: Louisiana Tech -2.5 (-105)

• Edge: 4.8%
• Probability: 56%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: Rutgers vs. Penn State (7:30PM ET, Wednesday)

Rounding out our top 10 bets, Louisiana Tech -2.5 at -105 odds shows a 56% probability and a 4.8% edge.

Best sports bets today summary: Tuesday, 2/17/2026

As of 10:31PM ET, here are our top bets by edge recommended by our model:

Matchup	Bet	Odds	Edge	Probability
Illinois vs. USC (Men's College Basketball)	USC +9.5	-115 @ FanDuel	8.6%	62%
Illinois vs. USC (Men's College Basketball)	USC ML	+400 @ FanDuel	7.8%	27.8%
Cleveland State vs. Youngstown State (Men's College Basketball)	Youngstown State -10.5	-105 @ BetMGM	7.0%	58.2%
Lafayette vs. Holy Cross (Men's College Basketball)	Holy Cross ML	-105 @ BetMGM	6.4%	57.6%
Loyola Chicago vs. Fordham (Men's College Basketball)	Fordham -9.5	-105 @ DraftKings	5.6%	56.8%
Fucsovics vs. Khachanov (Tennis)	Marton Fucsovics ML	+210 @ FanDuel	5.3%	37.5%
Rutgers vs. Penn State (Men's College Basketball)	Rutgers +3.5	-102 @ FanDuel	5.0%	55.5%
Alcaraz vs. Royer (Tennis)	Carlos Alcaraz -6.5	+100 @ FanDuel	5.0%	55%
UAB vs. Temple (College Basketball)	Temple ML	-110 @ BetMGM	4.9%	57.3%
Jacksonville State vs. Louisiana Tech (Men's College Basketball)	Louisiana Tech -2.5	-105 @ DraftKings	4.8%	56%

List of upcoming matchups to bet on right now [2/17/2026]

• NCAAM: Texas Tech vs. Arizona State (11:00PM ET, Tuesday)
• Tennis: Amanda Anisimova vs. Janice Tjen (2:00AM ET, Wednesday)
• Tennis: Clara Tauson vs. Magda Linette (2:00AM ET, Wednesday)
• Tennis: Jaqueline Cristian vs. Mirra Andreeva (3:10AM ET, Wednesday)
• Tennis: Jessica Pegula vs. Iva Jovic (3:10AM ET, Wednesday)
• Tennis: Antonia Ruzic vs. Elena Rybakina (5:00AM ET, Wednesday)
• Tennis: Karen Khachanov vs. Marton Fucsovics (5:30AM ET, Wednesday)
• Tennis: Quentin Halys vs. Arthur Fils (6:40AM ET, Wednesday)
• Tennis: Elina Svitolina vs. Belinda Bencic (7:00AM ET, Wednesday)
• Tennis: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. Daniil Medvedev (7:00AM ET, Wednesday)

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Conclusion

Our best bets are locked and loaded for February 17, 2026, featuring plays such as USC +9.5 and USC ML. Powered by advanced simulations, these picks are here to boost your betting game.

This article, enhanced by AI and automation, aims to deliver accurate insights quickly, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from current data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

All odds and probabilities in this article are correct and accurate at the time of publication.

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