Men's college basketball picks today: Friday's best bets include Arizona State vs. Baylor play [2/20/2026]

Today’s men's college basketball picks for February 20, 2026 are here, with Arizona State vs. Baylor and Davidson vs. Fordham among the top plays identified by our model across Friday’s men's college basketball slate.

Dimers’ predictive analytics engine runs 24/7, searching the latest men's college basketball odds to unearth genuine betting edges. The result? Data-backed picks that help Dimers Pro members make smarter decisions.

List of NCAAM picks tonight [2/20, updated 7:52PM ET]

Below, you’ll find today’s top 10 men's college basketball bets, ranked by edge for Friday, February 20, 2026.

Baylor -6.5 (-120)

• Edge: 7.5%
• Probability: 62%
• Matchup: Arizona State vs. Baylor (4:00PM ET, Saturday)

Our model has identified value on Baylor -6.5 at -120 odds. A 62% probability produces an edge of 7.5%, making this the strongest play for today's men's college basketball slate.

Fordham ML (-115)

• Edge: 7.3%
• Probability: 60.8%
• Matchup: Davidson vs. Fordham (2:00PM ET, Saturday)

Fordham ML carries a 7.3% edge and a probability of 60.8% at -115 odds, according to our model.

Troy -2.5 (-118)

• Edge: 7.2%
• Probability: 61.4%
• Matchup: Troy vs. South Alabama (4:00PM ET, Saturday)

Troy -2.5 vs. South Alabama at -118 odds shows a 7.2% edge, supported by a 61.4% probability in simulations.

Illinois-Chicago -6.5 (-110)

• Edge: 7.2%
• Probability: 59.5%
• Matchup: Valparaiso vs. Illinois-Chicago (3:00PM ET, Saturday)

A 7.2% edge and 59.5% probability make Illinois-Chicago -6.5 vs. Valparaiso at a value play in the Valparaiso vs. Illinois-Chicago matchup, per our model.

Virginia Military +7.5 (-102)

• Edge: 6.8%
• Probability: 57.3%
• Matchup: Western Carolina vs. Virginia Military (1:00PM ET, Saturday)

Virginia Military +7.5 at -102 odds presents a 6.8% edge, with simulations resulting in a probability of 57.3%.

Wake Forest +5.5 (-118)

• Edge: 6.6%
• Probability: 60.7%
• Matchup: Wake Forest vs. Virginia Tech (12:00PM ET, Saturday)

Our model finds value on Wake Forest +5.5 at -118 odds, supported by an edge of 6.6%.

Eastern Michigan vs. Toledo over 145.5 points (-105)

• Edge: 6.5%
• Probability: 57.7%
• Matchup: Eastern Michigan vs. Toledo (5:00PM ET, Saturday)

Our model has uncovered value on Eastern Michigan vs. Toledo over 145.5 points at -105 odds. A 57.7% probability produces a 6.5% edge, making this a strong play for today's men's college basketball action.

UC Riverside +3.5 (-110)

• Edge: 6.1%
• Probability: 58.5%
• Matchup: UC Davis vs. UC Riverside (5:00PM ET, Saturday)

A 6.1% edge on a 58.5% probability makes UC Riverside +3.5 at -110 odds a solid value play in today's UC Davis vs. UC Riverside matchup.

USC -6.5 (-105)

• Edge: 6.1%
• Probability: 57.3%
• Matchup: Oregon vs. USC (4:00PM ET, Saturday)

Our model projects value on USC -6.5 at -105 odds. A 57.3% probability produces a 6.1% edge, making USC the favorable side in Saturday’s matchup.

Portland State -6.5 (-105)

• Edge: 6.1%
• Probability: 57.3%
• Matchup: Eastern Michigan vs. Toledo (5:00PM ET, Saturday)

Rounding out our top 10 bets, Portland State -6.5 at -105 odds shows a 57.3% probability and a 6.1% edge.

NCAAM best bets summary: Friday, 2/20/2026

As of 7:52PM ET, here are our top men's college basketball bets by edge recommended by our model:

Matchup	Bet	Odds	Edge	Probability
Arizona State vs. Baylor	Baylor -6.5	-120 @ FanDuel	7.5%	62%
Davidson vs. Fordham	Fordham ML	-115 @ FanDuel	7.3%	60.8%
Troy vs. South Alabama	Troy -2.5	-118 @ BetMGM	7.2%	61.4%
Valparaiso vs. Illinois-Chicago	Illinois-Chicago -6.5	-110 @ FanDuel	7.2%	59.5%
Western Carolina vs. Virginia Military	Virginia Military +7.5	-102 @ DraftKings	6.8%	57.3%
Wake Forest vs. Virginia Tech	Wake Forest +5.5	-118 @ BetMGM	6.6%	60.7%
Eastern Michigan vs. Toledo	Over 145.5 Points	-105 @ BetMGM	6.5%	57.7%
UC Davis vs. UC Riverside	UC Riverside +3.5	-110 @ BetMGM	6.1%	58.5%
Oregon vs. USC	USC -6.5	-105 @ BetMGM	6.1%	57.3%
Eastern Washington vs. Portland State	Portland State -6.5	-105 @ BetMGM	6.1%	57.3%

List of upcoming men's college basketball games to bet on now

• Indiana vs. Purdue (8:00PM ET, Friday)
• Siena vs. Merrimack (8:00PM ET, Friday)
• Bowling Green vs. Miami (OH) (8:30PM ET, Friday)
• Florida vs. Ole Miss (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Florida State vs. Clemson (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Wake Forest vs. Virginia Tech (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Creighton vs. St. John's (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Rutgers vs. Minnesota (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Loyola Chicago vs. Saint Joseph's (PA) (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
• East Carolina vs. Charlotte (12:00PM ET, Saturday)

AI betting support with Dimebot

Learn how Dimebot uses Dimers’ data to deliver quick answers and insights, helping you make faster, more informed decisions.

Conclusion

Our men's college basketball best bets are locked and loaded for February 20, 2026, featuring plays such as Baylor -6.5 and Fordham 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 college basketball insights quickly, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are grounded in 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.

Note: Clicking links to our sportsbook partners may earn us a referral fee. Learn about how we review products and services.