Men's college basketball picks today: Monday's best bets include Cincinnati vs. Texas Tech play [2/23/2026]

Today’s men's college basketball picks for February 23, 2026 are here, with Cincinnati vs. Texas Tech and Bradley vs. Illinois-Chicago among the top plays identified by our model across Monday’s men's college basketball action.

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

List of NCAAM picks tonight [2/23, updated 8:06PM ET]

Below, you’ll find today’s top 10 men's college basketball bets, ranked by edge for Monday, February 23, 2026.

Cincinnati +5.5 (-105)

• Edge: 6.8%
• Probability: 58%
• Matchup: Cincinnati vs. Texas Tech (7:00PM ET, Tuesday)

Our model has identified value on Cincinnati +5.5 at -105 odds. A 58% probability produces an edge of 6.8%, making this the strongest play for today's men's college basketball slate.

Illinois-Chicago -2.5 (-110)

• Edge: 6.3%
• Probability: 58.7%
• Matchup: Bradley vs. Illinois-Chicago (8:00PM ET, Tuesday)

Illinois-Chicago -2.5 carries a 6.3% edge and a probability of 58.7% at -110 odds, according to our model.

Xavier vs. Providence over 170.5 points (-105)

• Edge: 6.1%
• Probability: 57.3%
• Matchup: Xavier vs. Providence (7:30PM ET, Tuesday)

Xavier vs. Providence over 170.5 points at -105 odds shows a 6.1% edge, supported by a 57.3% probability in simulations.

West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State over 141.5 points (-105)

• Edge: 6.0%
• Probability: 57.2%
• Matchup: West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State (7:00PM ET, Tuesday)

A 6.0% edge and 57.2% probability make West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State over 141.5 points at a value play in the West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State matchup, per our model.

Illinois-Chicago ML (-154)

• Edge: 6.0%
• Probability: 66.6%
• Matchup: Bradley vs. Illinois-Chicago (8:00PM ET, Tuesday)

Illinois-Chicago ML at -154 odds presents a 6.0% edge, with simulations resulting in a probability of 66.6%.

West Virginia +1.5 (-102)

• Edge: 5.3%
• Probability: 55.8%
• Matchup: West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State (7:00PM ET, Tuesday)

Our model finds value on West Virginia +1.5 at -102 odds, supported by an edge of 5.3%.

Virginia -6.5 (-102)

• Edge: 4.7%
• Probability: 55.2%
• Matchup: North Carolina State vs. Virginia (7:00PM ET, Tuesday)

Our model has uncovered value on Virginia -6.5 at -102 odds. A 55.2% probability produces a 4.7% edge, making this a strong play for today's men's college basketball action.

Kentucky -6.5 (-102)

• Edge: 4.5%
• Probability: 55%
• Matchup: Kentucky vs. South Carolina (7:00PM ET, Tuesday)

A 4.5% edge on a 55% probability makes Kentucky -6.5 at -102 odds a solid value play in today's Kentucky vs. South Carolina matchup.

Kentucky ML (-250)

• Edge: 4.2%
• Probability: 75.7%
• Matchup: Kentucky vs. South Carolina (7:00PM ET, Tuesday)

Our model projects value on Kentucky to win at -250 odds. A 75.7% probability produces a 4.2% edge, making Kentucky the favorable ML play in Saturday’s matchup.

Cincinnati ML (+220)

• Edge: 4.2%
• Probability: 35.4%
• Matchup: North Carolina State vs. Virginia (7:00PM ET, Tuesday)

Rounding out our top 10 bets, Cincinnati to defeat Texas Tech at +220 odds shows a 35.4% probability and a 4.2% edge.

NCAAM best bets summary: Monday, 2/23/2026

As of 8:06PM ET, here are our top men's college basketball bets by edge recommended by our model:

Matchup	Bet	Odds	Edge	Probability
Cincinnati vs. Texas Tech	Cincinnati +5.5	-105 @ BetMGM	6.8%	58%
Bradley vs. Illinois-Chicago	Illinois-Chicago -2.5	-110 @ FanDuel	6.3%	58.7%
Xavier vs. Providence	Over 170.5 Points	-105 @ FanDuel	6.1%	57.3%
West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State	Over 141.5 Points	-105 @ DraftKings	6.0%	57.2%
Bradley vs. Illinois-Chicago	Illinois-Chicago ML	-154 @ FanDuel	6.0%	66.6%
West Virginia vs. Oklahoma State	West Virginia +1.5	-102 @ FanDuel	5.3%	55.8%
North Carolina State vs. Virginia	Virginia -6.5	-102 @ BetMGM	4.7%	55.2%
Kentucky vs. South Carolina	Kentucky -6.5	-102 @ BetMGM	4.5%	55%
Kentucky vs. South Carolina	Kentucky ML	-250 @ BetMGM	4.2%	75.7%
Cincinnati vs. Texas Tech	Cincinnati ML	+220 @ FanDuel	4.2%	35.4%

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

• Mississippi Valley State vs. Grambling State (8:30PM ET, Monday)
• Houston vs. Kansas (9:00PM ET, Monday)
• Miami (OH) vs. Eastern Michigan (6:30PM ET, Tuesday)
• Washington vs. Rutgers (6:30PM ET, Tuesday)
• George Washington vs. La Salle (6:30PM ET, Tuesday)
• North Carolina State vs. Virginia (7:00PM ET, Tuesday)
• Kentucky vs. South Carolina (7:00PM ET, Tuesday)
• Saint Louis vs. Dayton (7:00PM ET, Tuesday)
• Wake Forest vs. Boston College (7:00PM ET, Tuesday)
• Northwestern vs. Indiana (7:00PM ET, Tuesday)

Using Dimebot for betting research

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Conclusion

Our men's college basketball best bets are locked and loaded for February 23, 2026, featuring plays such as Cincinnati +5.5 and Illinois-Chicago -2.5. 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 based on 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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