Men's college basketball picks today: Thursday's best bets include Appalachian State vs. Texas State play [2/26/2026]

Today’s men's college basketball picks for February 26, 2026 are here, with Appalachian State vs. Texas State and Southern Miss vs. South Alabama among the top plays identified by our model across Thursday’s men's college basketball slate.

Dimers’ predictive analytics engine runs 24/7, going over 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 [2/26, updated 9:34PM ET]

Below, you’ll find today’s top 10 men's college basketball bets, ranked by edge for Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Appalachian State vs. Texas State under 134.5 points (-105)

• Edge: 10.0%
• Probability: 61.3%
• Matchup: Appalachian State vs. Texas State (8:00PM ET, Friday)

Our model has identified value on under 134.5 points in Appalachian State vs. Texas State at -105 odds. A 61.3% probability produces an edge of 10.0%, making this the strongest play for today's men's college basketball slate.

Southern Miss +5.5 (-112)

• Edge: 7.9%
• Probability: 60.7%
• Matchup: Southern Miss vs. South Alabama (8:30PM ET, Friday)

Southern Miss +5.5 carries a 7.9% edge and a probability of 60.7% at -112 odds, according to our model.

Georgia Southern vs. Marshall over 168.5 points (-105)

• Edge: 5.3%
• Probability: 56.6%
• Matchup: Georgia Southern vs. Marshall (9:00PM ET, Friday)

Georgia Southern vs. Marshall over 168.5 points at -105 odds shows a 5.3% edge, supported by a 56.6% probability in simulations.

Kent State +3.5 (-102)

• Edge: 5.0%
• Probability: 55.5%
• Matchup: Akron vs. Kent State (8:00PM ET, Friday)

A 5.0% edge and 55.5% probability make Kent State +3.5 vs. Akron at a value play in the Akron vs. Kent State matchup, per our model.

Columbia -6.5 (-110)

• Edge: 4.9%
• Probability: 57.3%
• Matchup: Brown vs. Columbia (7:00PM ET, Friday)

Columbia -6.5 at -110 odds presents a 4.9% edge, with simulations resulting in a probability of 57.3%.

Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Arkansas State over 146.5 points (-105)

• Edge: 4.7%
• Probability: 55.9%
• Matchup: Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Arkansas State (8:30PM ET, Friday)

Our model finds value on over 146.5 points in Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Arkansas State at -105 odds, supported by an edge of 4.7%.

Columbia ML (-275)

• Edge: 4.7%
• Probability: 78%
• Matchup: Brown vs. Columbia (7:00PM ET, Friday)

Our model has uncovered value on Columbia ML at -275 odds. A 78% probability produces a 4.7% edge, making this a strong play for today's men's college basketball action.

Illinois ML (-104)

• Edge: 4.1%
• Probability: 55.1%
• Matchup: Michigan vs. Illinois (8:00PM ET, Friday)

A 4.1% edge on a 55.1% probability makes Illinois to win at -104 odds a solid value play in today's Michigan vs. Illinois matchup.

Southern Miss ML (+198)

• Edge: 4.0%
• Probability: 37.6%
• Matchup: Southern Miss vs. South Alabama (8:30PM ET, Friday)

Our model projects value on Southern Miss to win at +198 odds. A 37.6% probability produces a 4.0% edge, making Southern Miss the favorable ML play in Saturday’s matchup.

Princeton +3.5 (-108)

• Edge: 3.9%
• Probability: 55.8%
• Matchup: Brown vs. Columbia (7:00PM ET, Friday)

Rounding out our top 10 bets, Princeton +3.5 at -108 odds shows a 55.8% probability and a 3.9% edge.

NCAAM best bets summary: Thursday, 2/26/2026

As of 9:34PM ET, here are our top men's college basketball bets by edge recommended by our model:

Matchup	Bet	Odds	Edge	Probability
Appalachian State vs. Texas State	Under 134.5 Points	-105 @ BetMGM	10.0%	61.3%
Southern Miss vs. South Alabama	Southern Miss +5.5	-112 @ DraftKings	7.9%	60.7%
Georgia Southern vs. Marshall	Over 168.5 Points	-105 @ BetMGM	5.3%	56.6%
Akron vs. Kent State	Kent State +3.5	-102 @ BetMGM	5.0%	55.5%
Brown vs. Columbia	Columbia -6.5	-110 @ BetMGM	4.9%	57.3%
Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Arkansas State	Over 146.5 Points	-105 @ BetMGM	4.7%	55.9%
Brown vs. Columbia	Columbia ML	-275 @ BetMGM	4.7%	78%
Michigan vs. Illinois	Illinois ML	-104 @ FanDuel	4.1%	55.1%
Southern Miss vs. South Alabama	Southern Miss ML	+198 @ FanDuel	4.0%	37.6%
Harvard vs. Princeton	Princeton +3.5	-108 @ DraftKings	3.9%	55.8%

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

• Texas-Arlington vs. California Baptist (10:00PM ET, Thursday)
• UC Irvine vs. Cal State Northridge (10:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Long Beach State vs. Cal Poly (10:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Cal State Bakersfield vs. UC San Diego (10:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Miami (OH) vs. Western Michigan (6:00PM ET, Friday)
• Yale vs. Cornell (6:00PM ET, Friday)
• Quinnipiac vs. Niagara (6:30PM ET, Friday)
• Mount St. Mary's vs. Sacred Heart (7:00PM ET, Friday)
• Siena vs. Fairfield (7:00PM ET, Friday)
• Dartmouth vs. Pennsylvania (7:00PM ET, Friday)

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Conclusion

Our men's college basketball best bets are locked and loaded for February 26, 2026, featuring plays such as under 134.5 points in the Appalachian State vs. Texas State matchup and Southern Miss +5.5. 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 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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