Georgia vs Oregon Odds, Picks and Predictions: Ducks Quack Louder Against Lowly Bulldogs

Two teams hoping to get back into the NCAA Tournament will get an early test on Monday as the Georgia Bulldogs take on the Oregon Ducks as part of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas.

Oregon is coming off a 21-15 season in which the Ducks made it to the quarterfinals of the NIT. The college basketball odds make Oregon a favorite over Georgia, which finished 16-16 last season.

Expectations are high in Oregon this year, while the Bulldogs have brought in new talent in an effort to upgrade their roster. I’ll look at which side has the edge in my free college basketball picks and predictions for Georgia vs. Oregon on November 6.

Georgia vs Oregon best odds

Georgia vs Oregon picks and predictions

Oregon has missed the NCAA Tournament in each of the past two seasons, a disappointing stretch for a team that reached the big dance in eight of its previous nine campaigns. While the last two years have hardly been a disaster — head coach Dana Altman led the team to 20 or more wins in both years — the Ducks are expecting to rebound, and many pundits have pegged this as an NCAA Tournament team. 

Unlike Oregon, Georgia has never been a regular in the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs last appeared in the tournament in 2015, and haven’t won a game in March Madness since 2002. However, head coach Mike White went heavy on recruitment and transfers this year. That included bringing in guards RJ Melendez from the Illinois Fighting Illini and Noah Thomasson from the Niagara Purple Eagles — both of whom will likely start for the Bulldogs.

Of the two teams, the Ducks bring back more talent. Oregon returns its leading scorer in center N’Faly Dante, who averaged 13.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game last year. Guards Jermaine Couisnard and Keeshawn Barthelemy were both key contributors who got starter minutes last year and should give the Ducks balance on the court with Dante.

That bodes well for Oregon. The Ducks ended last year 42nd in the KenPom ratings, suggesting that this was already a borderline NCAA Tournament team. Georgia, on the other hand, finished 154th in the country in Ken Pomeroy’s ratings.

The question, then, is how much Georgia has upgraded in the offseason. And while the Bulldogs have brought in a lot of players, it’s hard to know if any of them are capable of competing against tournament-level teams, or at least to what extent they can be difference makers.

Melendez is a junior who scored six points per game for Illinois last season while playing 21.5 minutes per game. Thomasson was a much bigger star in Niagara, averaging 19.5 points per game. However, he did that against weaker competition as the clear best player on his team, and it remains to be seen what role he’ll take in the Georgia offense. 

The Bulldogs are relying heavily on these transfers and unproven freshmen like Silas Demary Jr. to try and make a run at the NCAA Tournament this year. It’s possible these pieces gel and develop throughout the season, but even that’s a question mark.

This early in the year, we can’t ignore the gap in proven talent on these two teams. Even giving up a few points, I’m backing the Ducks to start the season with a win on Las Vegas.

My best bet: Oregon -6.5 (-102 at FanDuel)

Georgia vs Oregon same-game parlay

Oregon -6.5

Under 140.5

Thomasson Under 12.5 pts

30% boost available

+407 +529 at FanDuel

 I’m going to take the Under on this game at 140.5 points as neither of these teams played at a particularly fast pace last year. The Ducks liked to slow down the game, playing to an average total of just 136.9 points per contest. KenPom rated Oregon even slower than that number suggests, placing the Ducks at 205th in the country in adjusted tempo. With these teams playing on a neutral, unfamiliar court in their season opener, I think the Under is the smart play.

Finally, I’ll take Thomasson to hit the Under on his scoring prop at 12.5 points. I can’t imagine that this Niagara transfer takes on the same role in Georgia, and if he’s not going to be the primary scorer, 12.5 points is a lot to ask. Playing against a solid opponent and surrounded by more talent on both sides of the ball than he’s seen at any time in his collegiate career, Thomasson shouldn’t be expected to take over the game. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Georgia vs Oregon spread and Over/Under analysis

Oregon opened tonight’s game as a five-point favorite over Georgia. That number has moved further towards the Ducks, who are now a six or 6.5-point favorite at nearly all sites. While books are offering -110 on both sides, I was able to find more generous odds on Oregon at -6.5, with the best available number being -102. 

Neither team impressed against the spread last year. Georgia went just 11-20 ATS on the season, while Oregon put up a mediocre 14-16-1 record against the number.

The total on this game opened at 140.5. While that number is still available at some books, many sites have brought the Over/Under down to around 139.5. The best odds on the market include -110 on the Over at a flat 139, or -105 on the Under at 139.5. 

Neither team had significant bias against the total last year. However, the Over held a slight advantage for both teams, going 16-15 in Georgia’s games as well as 17-14 when Oregon played.

Georgia vs Oregon betting trend to know

Georgia is 1-14 against the spread in its last 15 games overall. Find more college basketball betting trends for Georgia vs Oregon.

Georgia vs Oregon game info

Georgia vs Oregon key injuries

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