Opening day of the college basketball season is filled with a bunch of paper mismatches, as larger programs hope to get their seasons off on the right foot before tougher games down the road.
Just once glance at the slate of games Monday and the betting spreads show nothing but double-digit home favorites across the board. Some — like Baylor (-44.5) against Mississippi Valley State — are larger than others — Villanova (-15.5) against La Salle.
But they’re going to play these games for a reason.
Below is a look at my top three underdogs with a chance to upset a top 25 team on Monday.
Odds from Tipico Sportsbook
3
Longwood (+16.5) at No. 20 Alabama
Moneyline odds: +750
Last year’s Big South champions, Longwood had the unfortunate draw of Tennessee in the first round. But with the exception of leading scorer Justin Hill, who transferred to Georgia, the Lancers return basically the same rotation, including the sharpshooting DeShaun Wade.
2
George Mason (+10.5) at No. 15 Auburn
Moneyline odds: +480
Looking to bounce back from its first losing season in four years, George Mason returns three of four leading scorers, including top scorer Josh Oduro. Add in transfer Victor Bailey, and the Patriots have a good shot against a Auburn squad filling the holes left by Jabari Smith Jr. and Walker Kessler.
1
Purdue Fort Wayne (+15.5) at No. 22 Michigan
Moneyline odds: +750
Coming off a 21-11 campaign a season ago, Purdue Fort Wayne returns five of its six leading scorers against a young Michigan team leaning on junior Hunter Dickinson while it integrates a bunch of new players.
