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College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (1/16)

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Welcome back to another day of best bets for the college basketball slate. In the dead of winter, nothing hits better than hot cocoa and conference basketball. We saw some awesome matchups this weekend and continue rolling with a fresh slate of games this evening. We’ll see one of the better rivalries in sports with Purdue-Indiana. BYU will continue being tested in its inaugural Big 12 season, and Tennessee will be tested at home by Florida. As always, be sure to check for value when betting because there are some books out there that simply aren’t as sharp as others.

Here are my best bets for Tuesday’s slate. You can follow all my bets on my BettingPros profile as I add last-minute bets and player props once they drop.

Last Time: 1-2
Season: 29-26

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Tuesday’s College Basketball Best Bets

(All bets are one unit.)

Purdue at Indiana 

One of the most exciting games of the season tonight will take place in Assembly Hall with the Hoosiers taking on their rivals in Purdue. The Boilermakers have lost two of their last three road games while the Hoosiers have won five straight at home.

I’ll be honest, I’m shocked at this point spread. The analytics may say one thing, but how can you bet against the Hoosiers in a near double-digit spread at home against Purdue? I mean, come on.

What I expect to keep this one close for Indiana is their interior game. Ranking top-70 in near-proximity shooting, I expect Indiana to keep up with Purdue’s scoring. The “Crimson and Cream” have been a lot more consistent and have a lot more momentum than the Boilermakers.

Truly, this game comes down to home-court advantage. It has been tough for road teams this season and Purdue ranks 345th in away-from-home metric. I am not bold enough to take Indiana outright but have to imagine this game will stay within six or seven points, max. It’s already fallen from its 11.5 opening but make sure to look around for the best odds because I imagine this spread will fluctuate throughout the day.

Pick: Indiana +10.0 (-120 at BetRivers)

Iowa State At BYU

With another huge Big 12 test for the Cougars, BYU will have their limits tested going up against the Cyclones. Iowa State comes in on a 2-1 start in Big 12 play with wins over Houston and Oklahoma State along with a loss to Oklahoma. BYU has lost two of their first three conference games with their only win coming against UCF.

Analytically, this should be a close game. With a near one-possession spread, both defenses are the anchor of each team, and I simply trust Iowa State’s defense more. The Cyclones limited and simply bodied Houston. With their top-ranked turnover percentage defense, BYU is going to have a difficult time manufacturing points. Without scoring nearly at all from the charity stripe, I don’t trust BYU to put up points.

Again, I am scared of the road woes faced by Iowa State but defense travels better than offense. First team to 60 tonight likely wins, and BYU isn’t exactly electric at home. Cincinnati handled them and I fully trust Iowa State more than the Bearcats.

Pick: Iowa State +4.5 (-110 at FanDuel)

Florida at Tennessee

After absolutely housing Mississippi in their first home game to open SEC play, Tennessee returns home to face a Florida team that has dropped two of their last three, including an 18-point loss to the same Mississippi team.

When Tennessee’s defense is on, it’s dangerous. They allow nothing inside with a third-ranked near-proximity shooting defense. While the Volunteers’ offense isn’t exactly consistent, Dalton Knecht has shined this season and Tennesseee should win the board battle and take advantage of Florida’s tough transition defense, which isn’t exactly great for Florida pacing up Tennessee.

Florida ranks 315th in away-from-home ranking this season. I don’t trust their shooters enough to step up when they’re struggling down low and any hope for keeping it close at the charity stripe is shot considering Florida’s 322nd free throw percentage.

I simply expect Tennessee to dominate here. They have won eight of their last nine games and simply dominate at home. They’ve yet to lose in Thompson-Boling Arena and I see them covering tonight as well.

Pick: Tennessee -9.0 (-120 at BetMGM)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Tuesday:


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