Men's college basketball picks today: Tuesday's best bets include Illinois vs. USC play [2/17/2026]

Today’s men's college basketball picks for February 17, 2026 are here, with Illinois vs. USC among the top plays identified by our model across Tuesday’s men's college basketball play.

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

List of NCAAM picks tonight [2/17, updated 10:05PM ET]

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

USC +9.5 (-115)

• Edge: 8.6%
• Probability: 62%
• 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 men's college basketball slate.

USC ML (+400)

• Edge: 7.8%
• Probability: 27.8%
• 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.

Holy Cross ML (-105)

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

Holy Cross ML at -105 odds shows a 6.4% edge, supported by a 57.6% probability in simulations.

Fordham -9.5 (-105)

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

A 5.6% edge and 56.8% probability make Fordham -9.5 vs. Loyola Chicago at a value play in the Loyola Chicago vs. Fordham matchup, per our model.

Rutgers +3.5 (-102)

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

Rutgers +3.5 at -102 odds presents a 5.0% edge, with simulations resulting in a probability of 55.5%.

UAB vs. Temple over 147.5 points (-105)

• Edge: 4.7%
• Probability: 55.9%
• Matchup: UAB vs. Temple (7:00PM ET, Wednesday)

Our model finds value on over 147.5 points in UAB vs. Temple at -105 odds, supported by an edge of 4.7%.

Arizona -12.5 (-105)

• Edge: 4.3%
• Probability: 55.5%
• Matchup: BYU vs. Arizona (9:00PM ET, Wednesday)

Our model has uncovered value on Arizona -12.5 at -105 odds. A 55.5% probability produces a 4.3% edge, making this a strong play for today's men's college basketball action.

Holy Cross +1.5 (-120)

• Edge: 4.1%
• Probability: 58.6%
• Matchup: Lafayette vs. Holy Cross (6:00PM ET, Wednesday)

A 4.1% edge on a 58.6% probability makes Holy Cross +1.5 at -120 odds a solid value play in today's Lafayette vs. Holy Cross matchup.

Temple ML (-115)

• Edge: 3.8%
• Probability: 57.3%
• Matchup: UAB vs. Temple (7:00PM ET, Wednesday)

Our model projects value on Temple to win at -115 odds. A 57.3% probability produces a 3.8% edge, making Temple the favorable ML play in Saturday’s matchup.

Kansas -6.5 (-105)

• Edge: 3.8%
• Probability: 55%
• Matchup: BYU vs. Arizona (9:00PM ET, Wednesday)

Rounding out our top 10 bets, Kansas -6.5 at -105 odds shows a 55% probability and a 3.8% edge.

NCAAM best bets summary: Tuesday, 2/17/2026

As of 10:05PM ET, here are our top men's college basketball bets by edge recommended by our model:

Matchup	Bet	Odds	Edge	Probability
Illinois vs. USC	USC +9.5	-115 @ FanDuel	8.6%	62%
Illinois vs. USC	USC ML	+400 @ FanDuel	7.8%	27.8%
Lafayette vs. Holy Cross	Holy Cross ML	-105 @ BetMGM	6.4%	57.6%
Loyola Chicago vs. Fordham	Fordham -9.5	-105 @ DraftKings	5.6%	56.8%
Rutgers vs. Penn State	Rutgers +3.5	-102 @ FanDuel	5.0%	55.5%
UAB vs. Temple	Over 147.5 Points	-105 @ DraftKings	4.7%	55.9%
BYU vs. Arizona	Arizona -12.5	-105 @ DraftKings	4.3%	55.5%
Lafayette vs. Holy Cross	Holy Cross +1.5	-120 @ BetMGM	4.1%	58.6%
UAB vs. Temple	Temple ML	-115 @ FanDuel	3.8%	57.3%
Kansas vs. Oklahoma State	Kansas -6.5	-105 @ DraftKings	3.8%	55%

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

• Minnesota vs. Oregon (10:30PM ET, Tuesday)
• Texas Tech vs. Arizona State (11:00PM ET, Tuesday)
• Virginia Military vs. Wofford (6:00PM ET, Wednesday)
• Rutgers vs. Penn State (6:00PM ET, Wednesday)
• Lafayette vs. Holy Cross (6:00PM ET, Wednesday)
• East Tennessee State vs. Furman (6:30PM ET, Wednesday)
• Butler vs. Georgetown (6:30PM ET, Wednesday)
• Cleveland State vs. Youngstown State (6:30PM ET, Wednesday)
• Arkansas vs. Alabama (7:00PM ET, Wednesday)
• Richmond vs. Davidson (7:00PM ET, Wednesday)

Using Dimebot for betting research

Learn how Dimebot helps you quickly access projections, trends, and explanations—without digging through multiple tools or pages.

Conclusion

Our men's college basketball 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 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.

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