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Ball Bets 5th edition: Home crowd gets Pitt a much-needed ACC win

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

After a 4-3 record in the 4th edition of "Ball Bets," we are hitting winners at a scalding hot 65-percent clip this season.

Conference play can be a different beast, as the home crowds are much rowdier than non-conference matchups, but this weekend gives some good chances to push that winning percentage even higher.

Here are the best picks from Saturday's slate of games:

Best bets

Miami at Pitt (-1)

Miami and Pitt are two teams desperate for an ACC win, as they sit a combined 2-5 in conference play thus far. Pitt has lost three of its last four games, but has proven to be a formidable opponent at home, with only a one-point loss to Notre Dame on the schedule. The Hurricanes strength of schedule is ranked 177th in the country by Ken Pomeroy, and it feels like this a good game for Miami to get exposed. Pitt 76, Miami 68

UCLA (-3) at Utah

This bet comes down to one thing: Offense. Utah is 58th in Ken Pomeroy's offensive efficiency rankings, while UCLA is the No. 1 team in the country. It's unlikely that the Utes can score enough to keep pace with the potent Bruins attack. Salt Lake City can be a tough place to play, but UCLA is so balanced that it can afford an off-night from a couple of its stars and still come out victorious. UCLA 88, Utah 78

UConn (+9) at Georgetown

Georgetown and UConn are usually associated with basketball greatness, but that certainly isn't the case this season. The two programs are a combined 16-17 on the year, and this one is must-win for any NCAA tournament chances to remain a possibility. After a four-game losing streak, the Huskies have won two in a row, and shouldn't be too intimidated by the Hoyas home-court advantage. UConn 70, Georgetown 69

Home "Dog of the Week"

The Home "Dog of the Week" is a moneyline win for a home underdog.

Texas Tech at Oklahoma (+3)

Oklahoma is 0-4 in conference play and have lost seven straight games, but are a different team with star guard Jordan Woodard back from injury. Texas Tech is off to an impressive 13-3 start to the season, but are just 2-2 in Big 12 action with both losses coming on the road. Woodard puts in a big effort and the Sooners snap the seven-game skid with their first conference win. Oklahoma 68, Texas Tech 65

Full-day Parlay

The Full-day Parlay offers a pick from one early game, one mid-afternoon game, and one night game Saturday. The idea is to take the winnings from Game 1 and place them on Game 2, and do the same for Game 3.

Virginia (-2) at Clemson

Virginia is a solid road team to bet on, posting a 3-1 record against-the-spread thus far, but will be in tough at Clemson. The Tigers are an impressive 7-1 at home this season, but have lost three straight games coming into this one. This contest will be tight, making bettors sweat their way throughout, but we like the Cavaliers to get the road win. Virginia 72, Clemson 67

Baylor (+2.5) at Kansas State

Baylor celebrated becoming the new No. 1 team in the country by getting waxed at West Virginia, but there's no shame in losing inside the cauldron of Morgantown. It won't get much easier with a road visit to Kansas State, as the Wildcats are a perfect 9-0 at home. Kansas State has lost three games this season by a combined four points, so that says this will be a close one. Baylor 78, Kansas State 76

Saint Mary's at Gonzaga (-7)

Gonzaga is the lone undefeated team left in the country, but face one of its toughest tests of the season against Saint Mary's on Saturday. This matchup between the two best in the WCC has been an annual rivalry worth tuning in for, but the Bulldogs have faced stiffer competition this season than the Gaels. That, and a rabid crowd in Spokane, will be the difference as Gonzaga remains undefeated. Gonzaga 80, Saint Mary's 68

Season Record

Best bets: 8-4
Home dog: 1-3
Full day parlay: 0-4
Twitter picks: 4-1
Overall Spread Record: 20-11

(Lines courtesy: Covers)

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