Top 3 NCAA Men's Basketball Bets for March 5: Maximize Your Winnings

Thursday college basketball bets target hot tournament teams and strong matchup edges.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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This article highlights three college basketball bets with real cash potential, including games from the MAAC and Patriot League tournaments. The focus is on teams carrying momentum into the postseason and taking advantage of the familiar conference matchups that often create great betting spots.

Why it matters

March tournament season is underway, and the betting board is heating up right along with it. The picks in this article are based on recent form, matchup history, and current DraftKings odds to help bettors find value before the Big Dance arrives.

The details

The three highlighted bets are: Iona Gaels -2.5 (-110) against Sacred Heart in the MAAC Tournament, Loyola Maryland Greyhounds +6.5 (-105) against Colgate in the Patriot League Tournament, and Prairie View Panthers +3.5 (-112) against Texas Southern in the SWAC Tournament. Each pick focuses on teams with momentum and advantages in familiar conference matchups.

  • The MAAC and Patriot League Tournaments are underway on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
  • The SWAC Tournament game between Prairie View and Texas Southern is also on Thursday, March 5, 2026.

The players

Iona Gaels

A men's basketball team competing in the MAAC Tournament, known for their strong perimeter offense and three-point shooting ability.

Sacred Heart

A men's basketball team competing in the MAAC Tournament, struggling with a 5-13 record away from home this season.

Loyola Maryland Greyhounds

A men's basketball team competing in the Patriot League Tournament, having already proven they can compete with Colgate this season.

Colgate Raiders

A men's basketball team competing in the Patriot League Tournament, entering the tournament struggling with losses in four of their last five games.

Prairie View Panthers

A men's basketball team competing in the SWAC Tournament, leading the conference in scoring and creating problems defensively with their high steals and blocks per game.

Texas Southern

A men's basketball team competing in the SWAC Tournament, allowing 78 points per game and having a poor 9-17 ATS record this season.

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The takeaway

These three college basketball bets offer value during the conference tournament season, focusing on teams with momentum and advantages in familiar matchups. Bettors can use the information in this article to maximize their winnings before the NCAA Tournament begins.