DePaul has been a basketball graveyard for the past two decades, but there is some reason for optimism here. The Blue Demons weren’t threatened in either of their first two games and managed to outlast an average Penn State squad in overtime. With a good shooter like Strus in the lineup, they’re a step closer to finally solving the offensive woes that have plagued them for so long. Can DePaul push the undefeated season to 4 or at least keep it within 5 points for underdog backers?

North Carolina looks like it usually does at the start of a season… long on talent and great coaching, which has consistently made it one of college basketball’s blue-blood programs. It wasn’t afraid to play Wofford and Elon on the road, and it has shown more than just bravery, as it hasn’t been held below 90 by anyone besides Wofford. Texas averages 77 points per game so how do the Longhorns close that gap? DJ breaks down this match up.

To hear coach Bill Self tell it, the Jayhawks are a mess right now. Obviously, Kansas is far from a mess after winning its first three games, but since a convincing win over Michigan State on opening night, Kansas simply hasn’t been Kansas yet. The Jayhawks have had two wins over Vermont and Louisiana-Lafayette in Lawrence that were a lot closer than they should have been, mainly because they’ve been all offense and no defense to this point. Will this be the game they get it together and lock down Marquette? Sportsbooks have the market set at Kansas -8.5.

What’s helped Georgia so far is its depth. In their first three games this year, the Bulldogs got at least 25 points out of their bench players, which goes a long way toward making up the difference when a star isn’t scoring. Rayshaun Hammonds did most of the scoring against Illinois State, torching the Redbirds for 31 points Monday, but that’s an outlier among Georgia’s first four games. What’s more likely to happen is that Georgia will spread the scoring around and get contributions from all over the court. DJ breaks down the match up and gives his basketball pick.

Kentucky might have looked poor against Duke, but that’s because the Blue Devils are playing on another level from just about everyone else so far. Kentucky has since gotten back on track and looks like it’s going to be a force in the SEC yet again. The earliest parts of the season are usually the best time to bet against the Wildcats as Calipari tries to figure out which pieces go where with his freshmen, but that’s reserved for when Kentucky faces better opponents than this VMI squad. VMI lost by 39 to Pitt. Does that mean betting your bookie -33?

Louisiana-Lafayette is facing off against their second top-10 team in as many games after being subjected to the wrath of the Tennessee Volunteers in their last outing. The do have a solid game to build on however. UL scored 120 points in their home opener and are making 11 3-point field goals per game, and their 18 ppg senior forward JaKeenan Gant is a legitimate problem for opposing teams. Is getting hot from beyond the arc the only way the Caguns can stay within 21 points? KC has his basketball prediction!

2018-19 Gonzaga presents problems for opponents, hence the -16 point spread at most betting site. Guard Josh Perkins and forwards Rui Hachimura and Brandon Clarke provide the experience that forms Gonzaga’s foundation. All are experienced players who can score in bunches, with Perkins an outside shooter compared to Clarke and Hachimura’s ability to go inside. What makes Gonzaga so effective is that teams can’t take away only one weapon to beat them because of their depth. They can’t be rattled because of their experience. Can they win by 17? DJ has his prediction.

This is a rematch of last year’s national championship game in name only. Both teams lost a lot from last year’s squads, and both are still trying to establish their identities for 2018-19. Villanova seems to be much further along in the process than Michigan. The Wildcats get contributions from all over the court and they can play solid defense. Throw in the talent of two key leaders, and Villanova looks like it’s going to be a threat throughout the season. But are they enough now to cover the bookie’s line of -7? DJ has your college hoops pick!

While Georgia Tech lost plenty from last year’s team, Tennessee did not. Of the six players who averaged more than 20 minutes a game for the Volunteers last season, all six of them are back in orange this year. The leader of the Volunteers is junior forward Grant Williams, the SEC player of the year from 2017-18, but he’s hardly the only option Tennessee has. Can a loaded Vols team cover the 16 to beat the bookie?

Mike Krzyzewski loves his alma mater, but that doesn’t mean he takes it easy on Army when he’s on the opposition’s bench. In six meetings between Army and Duke with Krzyzewski coaching the Blue Devils, Duke’s margin of victory has averaged 44 points, and 2014’s game marked the first time Army had even come within 20 points of Duke. There’s nothing that suggests this time will be any different. Duke looked otherworldly against Kentucky, and while Army managed a win against Marist in its opener, beating the Red Foxes simply isn’t the same as blasting the Wildcats. This game is really about betting your sportsbook that Army will lose but more or less than 31. Dan Jamison gives his basketball prediction and pick!