College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions: Tuesday (1/9)
We are officially in the year of March Madness, and I absolutely cannot wait. Until then, it's time to get excited for conference play to pick up steam, and game after game matters, as College Basketball slowly finds the spotlight in the sports world.
It was a fresh start to 2024 and I plan on continuing that winning trend tonight. As always, be sure to shop around for the best odds, as some books aren't as sharp when it comes to the depths of College Basketball odds.
Here are my best bets for Tuesday's slate!
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Tuesday’s College Basketball Best Bets
All wagers are for 1 unit | Last Time: 1-1 & Season: 27-23
#18 BYU @ #14 Baylor
After being analytical darlings and finding their way into the KenPom top-five, BYU opened up their Big 12 inaugural game with a home loss to Cincinnati. The Cougars had been collecting double-digit wins like gemstones up until that point but were humbled when facing the big boys now.
Baylor has held serve with wins over Auburn and Florida but losses to Michigan State and Duke. Returning home after a narrow victory over Oklahoma State has to have Scott Drew and company feeling relieved and ready for a bounce-back effort.
Sometimes, you trust your eyes and what to expect when betting on College Basketball. There is a simple angle here, and that's home-court advantage, which is already large and in charge within the sport. BYU lost to Utah in its only true road game this year and Baylor ranks 10th in the home court metric.
Until I can see BYU and their interior offense continue to perform against elite matchups, I will continue fading them. This is an easy 'trust your gut' selection that will provide valuable data moving forward. These teams are fun to root for, so a solid game from both sides would be a pleasant surprise. However, I see Baylor running away with this.
Bet: Baylor -4.5 (-110 via DraftKings Sportsbook)
#2 Houston @ Iowa State
If there is any team that continues to receive national doubt, it's Houston. The Cougars are a dominating 14-0 and opened up their Big 12 play with a trouncing of West Virginia. Now, the Mountaineers aren't exactly impressive this year, but Houston still holds wins over Utah, Dayton, Xavier and Texas A&M - not too shabby.
Iowa State is impressive defensively, but it seems like whenever they face real competition, they crumble. Three losses to top-75 KenPom teams, with their only win in that same range coming against in-state rival Iowa, has me doubting their abilities to keep up with the juggernaut that is Houston. I see Houston as a simply better version of what Iowa State is trying to do with their grind-it-out defense, forcing a lot of turnovers and allowing nothing on the interior.
If Houston has its looks from deep, they will take and make them. With L.J. Cryer and Jamal Shead at the helm, Houston could blow out these Cyclones tonight.
Bet: Houston -2.5 (-110 via FanDuel Sportsbook)
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