Men's college basketball picks today: Thursday's best bets include Belmont vs. Illinois-Chicago play [2/5/2026]

Today’s men's college basketball picks for February 5, 2026 are here, with Belmont vs. Illinois-Chicago among the top plays identified by our model across Thursday’s men's college basketball action.

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

List of NCAAM picks tonight [2/5, updated 9:37PM ET]

Below, you’ll find today’s top 10 men's college basketball bets, ranked by edge for Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Illinois-Chicago +3.5 (-114)

• Edge: 7.3%
• Probability: 60.5%
• Matchup: Belmont vs. Illinois-Chicago (9:00PM ET, Friday)

Our model has identified value on Illinois-Chicago +3.5 at -114 odds. A 60.5% probability produces an edge of 7.3%, making this the strongest play for today's men's college basketball slate.

Illinois-Chicago ML (+150)

• Edge: 6.0%
• Probability: 46%
• Matchup: Belmont vs. Illinois-Chicago (9:00PM ET, Friday)

Illinois-Chicago ML carries a 6.0% edge and a probability of 46% at +150 odds, according to our model.

Connecticut vs. St. John's over 144.5 points (-110)

• Edge: 4.5%
• Probability: 56.9%
• Matchup: Connecticut vs. St. John's (8:00PM ET, Friday)

Connecticut vs. St. John's over 144.5 points at -110 odds shows a 4.5% edge, supported by a 56.9% probability in simulations.

Dayton vs. Virginia Commonwealth over 149.5 points (-105)

• Edge: 4.3%
• Probability: 55.5%
• Matchup: Dayton vs. Virginia Commonwealth (7:00PM ET, Friday)

A 4.3% edge and 55.5% probability make Dayton vs. Virginia Commonwealth over 149.5 points at a value play in the Dayton vs. Virginia Commonwealth matchup, per our model.

Long Beach State vs. UC San Diego over 146.5 points (-108)

• Edge: 3.8%
• Probability: 55.7%
• Matchup: Long Beach State vs. UC San Diego (10:00PM ET, Thursday)

Long Beach State vs. UC San Diego over 146.5 points at -108 odds presents a 3.8% edge, with simulations resulting in a probability of 55.7%.

Bradley +3.5 (-110)

• Edge: 3.4%
• Probability: 55.8%
• Matchup: Bradley vs. Northern Iowa (8:00PM ET, Friday)

Our model finds value on Bradley +3.5 at -110 odds, supported by an edge of 3.4%.

St. John's +1.5 (-110)

• Edge: 3.4%
• Probability: 55.8%
• Matchup: Connecticut vs. St. John's (8:00PM ET, Friday)

Our model has uncovered value on St. John's +1.5 at -110 odds. A 55.8% probability produces a 3.4% edge, making this a strong play for today's men's college basketball action.

Cal State Northridge vs. Cal Poly under 177.5 points (-105)

• Edge: 3.3%
• Probability: 54.5%
• Matchup: Cal State Northridge vs. Cal Poly (10:00PM ET, Thursday)

A 3.3% edge on a 54.5% probability makes under 177.5 points at -105 odds a solid value play in today's Cal State Northridge vs. Cal Poly matchup.

UC San Diego -10.5 (-105)

• Edge: 3.1%
• Probability: 54.3%
• Matchup: Long Beach State vs. UC San Diego (10:00PM ET, Thursday)

Our model projects value on UC San Diego -10.5 at -105 odds. A 54.3% probability produces a 3.1% edge, making UC San Diego the favorable side in Saturday’s matchup.

Illinois State -10.5 (-105)

• Edge: 3.1%
• Probability: 54.3%
• Matchup: Connecticut vs. St. John's (8:00PM ET, Friday)

Rounding out our top 10 bets, Illinois State -10.5 at -105 odds shows a 54.3% probability and a 3.1% edge.

NCAAM best bets summary: Thursday, 2/5/2026

As of 9:37PM ET, here are our top men's college basketball bets by edge recommended by our model:

Matchup	Bet	Odds	Edge	Probability
Belmont vs. Illinois-Chicago	Illinois-Chicago +3.5	-114 @ FanDuel	7.3%	60.5%
Belmont vs. Illinois-Chicago	Illinois-Chicago ML	+150 @ FanDuel	6.0%	46%
Connecticut vs. St. John's	Over 144.5 Points	-110 @ BetMGM	4.5%	56.9%
Dayton vs. Virginia Commonwealth	Over 149.5 Points	-105 @ DraftKings	4.3%	55.5%
Long Beach State vs. UC San Diego	Over 146.5 Points	-108 @ DraftKings	3.8%	55.7%
Bradley vs. Northern Iowa	Bradley +3.5	-110 @ BetMGM	3.4%	55.8%
Connecticut vs. St. John's	St. John's +1.5	-110 @ BetMGM	3.4%	55.8%
Cal State Northridge vs. Cal Poly	Under 177.5 Points	-105 @ DraftKings	3.3%	54.5%
Long Beach State vs. UC San Diego	UC San Diego -10.5	-105 @ FanDuel	3.1%	54.3%
Drake vs. Illinois State	Illinois State -10.5	-105 @ DraftKings	3.1%	54.3%

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

• Cal State Northridge vs. Cal Poly (10:00PM ET, Thursday)
• UC Riverside vs. Cal State Fullerton (10:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Cal State Bakersfield vs. UC Irvine (10:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Long Beach State vs. UC San Diego (10:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Loyola Chicago vs. Davidson (6:00PM ET, Friday)
• Dayton vs. Virginia Commonwealth (7:00PM ET, Friday)
• Brown vs. Yale (7:00PM ET, Friday)
• Connecticut vs. St. John's (8:00PM ET, Friday)
• Bradley vs. Northern Iowa (8:00PM ET, Friday)
• Drake vs. Illinois State (8:00PM ET, Friday)

Using Dimebot for betting research

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Conclusion

Our men's college basketball best bets are locked and loaded for February 5, 2026, featuring plays such as Illinois-Chicago +3.5 and Illinois-Chicago 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 sourced 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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