The 2025-26 NCAA Men's College Basketball schedule rolls on Tuesday, and some days are better than others. We have the Big Ten opener between unbeatens Iowa and Michigan State, Tennessee and Syracuse squaring off, the defending national champs and Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium and bluebloods UConn and Kansas, with North Carolina and Kentucky doing battle. If that doesn't entertain you, nothing will.
We're here to help provide a trio of picks on select days throughout the week, hopefully helping you get into the black, as we head into the holidays and the new year. It's never too early to start squirreling away money for March Madness.
College Basketball PrizePicks Picks & Strategy
If you're unfamiliar with how to play, you must simply choose at least two players from any sport and pick more or less based on their projected statistics to win. We'll obviously be exclusively selecting college hoops players, but you can mix and match from various other sports. You can also go with a flex play, meaning you still can have a winning night even if you have one losing selection. Or, you can go big and choose the power play, which pays out higher. However, you must hit all ends to win. Let's get started.
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Jeremy Fears, G, Michigan State 
Fears showed no fear in a marquee battle with the North Carolina Tar Heels on Thanksgiving on a neutral floor in Fort Myers, Florida, stuffing the stat sheet with 19 points, seven assists and five rebounds while shooting a very efficient 8-of-10 from the field across 36 minutes.
It was a big contrast from his first two games against power conference foes, as he had averaged just 6.0 points per game (PPG) against Arkansas and Kentucky, serving more as a helping hand with 11.0 assists per game (APG) in those two outings.
Iowa's defense is strong, allowing just 61.1 PPG, but they've allowed teams to hit 43.8 percent from the field, and 32.6 percent from downtown, which is middle of the road, at best. The Hawkeyes allowed 69 points in a game against Ole Miss, a mid-tier opponent in its only previous battle against a power conference team. Look for Fears to get to double digits here.
CBB PrizePicks Selection: Jeremy Fears, Over 9.5 Points
Felix Okpara, F, Tennessee 
Okpara has tailed off in the rebounding department lately, and that coincides with huge increase in the quality of opponent.
In his first six games against Mercer, Northern Kentucky, North Florida, Rice, Tennessee State and Rutgers, he has managed 39 total rebounds, or 6.5 RPG in the past six outings, going for seven or more boards in four of those games. However, against both Houston and Kansas, has pulled down just three rebounds apiece.
Let's not make a mistake and put Syracuse in the same category as those two Big 12 teams, but the Orange is a big step up from the aforementioned tomato cans, too. Look for Okpara to go below his rebound target number.
CBB PrizePicks Selection: Felix Okpara, Under 6 Rebounds
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Chad Baker-Mazara, G-F USC 
Baker-Mazara has been going off this season for the Trojans. He popped off for 34 points in a wild 3OT game against Troy, and he has scored at least 18 points in four of the past five games.
While Baker-Mazara has tailed off in the rebounds category against Seton Hall and Arizona State, as the quality of opponent has gone up, his scoring continues to be strong, and he makes good decisions shooting, while showing off pinpoint accuracy from behind the three-point line.
While Oregon is certainly a quality foe, its defense is awful. It has allowed 75 or more points in each of the past four games, including 97 against San Diego State last Tuesday. The Ducks have allowed teams to hit at a 44.3 percent clip from the field, and 31.7 percent pace from behind the three-point line, which is rather mediocre. Look for Baker-Mazara to shine in all facets in this Big Ten opener.
CBB PrizePicks Selection: Chad Baker-Mazara, Over 23.5 Pts+Rebs
Tuesday's College Basketball PrizePicks Picks
Here's a recap of my best college basketball selections for Tuesday:
- Jeremy Fears, Michigan State, Over 9.5 Points
- Felix Okpara, Tennessee, Under 6 Rebounds
- Chad Baker-Mazara, USC, Over 23.5 Pts+Rebs
For additional recommendations for PrizePicks and other similar sites, check out our College Basketball Picks page.
For more fantasy college hoops content, be sure to check out features like our college basketball injury report, college basketball depth charts and latest college basketball news.
