Experts Back Michigan and Oklahoma State in Friday College Basketball Slate

The college basketball schedule for Friday, November 6, features a high-profile matchup between Michigan and UConn at TD Garden in Boston. This contest serves as a rematch of last year's national championship game, which the Wolverines won by a score of 69 to 63. The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates each game 10,000 times, anticipates a competitive evening and has selected Michigan to cover the spread as a 7.5-point underdog in the 8 p.m. ET tip-off.

The projection model enters the 2026-27 season with strong recent performance statistics. Since 2025, the system is on an 11-1 run for its top-rated over/under selections and a 28-22 record for its top-rated side picks. Beyond the Michigan and UConn game, the model and its team of experts have identified additional top bets for the Friday slate, including Missouri against St. Louis and Queens against Oklahoma State.

Regarding the matchup in Boston, Michigan retained its fourth and fifth leading scorers from the previous season while losing its top three. The program had one of the most significant offseasons in the country, securing the No. 3 Class of 2026 when combining freshmen and transfer portal additions according to 247Sports. Tennessee transfer J.P. Estrella contributed 15 points in Michigan's opening night victory over Oakland, which ended 84-68. UConn, however, has lost its top two scorers to the NBA. In its simulations, the model projects Michigan to cover the point spread in 52% of scenarios.

In the Missouri versus St. Louis game, SportsLine expert Bob Konarski noted that Robbie Avila is expected to play for the Billikens. Konarski pointed out that Missouri holds a size advantage as the second-tallest team in the nation and possesses greater offensive firepower than in the previous season. However, he argued that St. Louis has superior continuity and chemistry because it returned most of its roster. He believes the Billikens can exploit the Tigers' size through cuts and ball distribution, making St. Louis a 2.5-point underdog a viable option.

For the Oklahoma State versus Queens contest, expert Thomas Casale highlighted the physical challenge facing the Royals, who are playing their third game in five days. While Queens scored a combined 199 points in its first two wins, it allowed 193 points to Winthrop and Loyola Marymount. Casale described Oklahoma State as a Big 12 sleeper with a star-studded recruiting class and a highly rated group of transfers. He predicted the Cowboys would score 100 points at home, selecting them as 18.5-point favorites.

Queens struggled against larger opponents last season, dropping six games to teams such as Villanova, Virginia, Wake Forest, Arkansas, Auburn, and Purdue by an average margin of 31 points. Based on this history and the current form of the Cowboys, Casale expects Oklahoma State to dominate the contest in Stillwater.

Combining the three recommended picks of Michigan, St. Louis, and Oklahoma State into a parlay would offer a potential payout of +601. This means a risk of $100 could result in a profit of $601 if all three selections win according to the spread.

These predictions are part of a broader analysis provided by SportsLine, which offers against the spread, total, and money line picks for every college basketball game. The service utilizes a team of proven experts and a sophisticated projection model to provide data-driven insights for fans and bettors alike during the early part of the college basketball season.