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Top 3 College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions: Wednesday (1/8)

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The 2024-25 college basketball season rolls on and we have another packed Wednesday night of games to wager on. Our top men's college basketball bets today feature an SEC showdown between Ole Miss and Arkansas. Plus, check out predictions for Florida State vs. Miami and DePaul vs. Seton Hall. 

Note that all betting lines are accurate as of this writing, but shop around for the best odds and sportsbooks. Enjoy these college basketball picks and predictions for Wednesday, January 8th. 

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Wednesday's Best College Basketball Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Florida State at Miami (-1.5) | O/U 153.5 (-115/-105)

Let's head to the ACC for an in-state rivalry matchup between Florida State and Miami. There have been notable off-the-court headlines clouding both programs lately, making this game even more interesting. Florida State has dominated this rivalry in recent years, going 12-1 straight up in the past 13 meetings and 7-2 against the spread (ATS) over the last nine. 

It's already a lost season for Miami with a 4-10 record and a 0-3 start to ACC play. Jim Larranaga's abrupt resignation two weeks ago muddies the situation even more. The Hurricanes have played two games since Larranaga's departure, losing both to sub-par Boston College and Virginia Tech teams. They failed to cover the spread both times as well. 

It's fair to wonder about the current mindset and motivation for Miami's players with their head coach leaving just as conference play was starting up. They'll also have to make do without Nijel Pack, who's out indefinitely with a right ankle injury. Pack leads the team in points, assists and minutes played per game this season. Miami is 0-4 ATS in his absence so far and 3-11 ATS overall.

Meanwhile, Florida State is 10-4 and just earned a double-digit win over Syracuse this past weekend. That victory came in the wake of the news that Leonard Hamilton was being sued by multiple former players for NIL payments last year. Although that's an unfortunate circumstance, at least Hamilton got his current team to show up big vs. Syracuse last time out. 

Florida State has underperformed against better competition but has taken care of business in easier matchups. The Seminoles' four losses this season have all come against top-100 KenPom teams. Otherwise, they are 10-0 straight up (SU) and 9-1 ATS against KenPom teams ranked outside the top 100. Miami (111th) qualifies as that and could be downgraded more with Pack out. 

In this matchup specifically, Florida State has advantages in a couple of key areas. Miami's defense is a huge issue, allowing 75.1 points per game (PPG), which ranks 284th nationally and they have the 288th-ranked defensive efficiency, per KenPom. The Hurricanes also struggle to shoot the three at a rate of 32.2% from deep (228th) while Florida State is holding opponents to 29.5% three-point shooting (40th). 

Pick: Florida State +1.5 (-114)

Ole Miss at Arkansas (-3.5) | O/U 147.5 (-108/-112)

With SEC play now underway, we'll start to get a clearer view of teams with strong non-conference records to begin the season. Ole Miss and Arkansas both fall into that category as they meet up tonight. 

Arkansas is looking to bounce back after getting trounced by Tennessee, 76-52, in its SEC opener on Saturday. That loss is completely understandable, though, as the Vols look like the best team in the country - and it was on the road. Now Arkansas returns home with a chance to get a crucial resume-boosting win. It was also just the Razorbacks' third loss of the season. The previous two came on neutral courts to Purdue and Baylor. 

Ole Miss, meanwhile, boasts an impressive 12-2 record this season but it's still a bit unproven against top competition. The Rebels have lost their two toughest games against Purdue and Memphis. The latter was a 17-point loss on the road less than two weeks ago. The road woes could continue for Chris Beard's squad, who went 2-7 SU and 3-6 ATS on the road in conference play last year. For what it's worth, one of those was a 12-point road loss to John Calipari's Kentucky team. 

Speaking of Calipari, he's regularly had his teams get back on track following losses. Last year, Kentucky went 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS after a loss during the regular season. Over his last three seasons at Kentucky, Calipari was 21-3 SU and 16-8 ATS after a loss. This year, Arkansas is already 2-0 SU after a loss. 

Besides those trends, Arkansas' more talented frontcourt should win the battle in the paint en route to a home victory. Zvonimir Ivisic, Trevon Brazile and Jonas Aidoo make up one of the better big men combos in the country. All have a size and talent advantage over the Rebels' frontcourt duo of Malik Dia and Jaemyn Brakefield. 

The Razorbacks should have the edge in rebounding and blocked shots with that frontcourt. Ole Miss is 300th nationally in offensive blocked shots rate while Arkansas is 10th in defensive blocks, averaging six per game. Bank on Calipari's squad controlling the glass and protecting the rim to make the difference. 

Pick: Arkansas -3.5 (-105)

DePaul at Seton Hall (-2.5) | O/U 133.5 (-110/-110)

Our last college hoops pick takes us to the Big East as Seton Hall hosts DePaul. As the total suggests, this will be a low-scoring game with poor offensive play on both sides. Let's lean right into that by taking the under in a defensive slog. 

Seton Hall's style of play is the recipe for low-scoring contests. The Pirates are struggling offensively, averaging just 61.6 PPG (359th nationally) while ranking 287th in offensive efficiency, per KenPom. Conversely, they're allowing 63.9 PPG (25th) with the 54th-best defensive efficiency. Shaheen Holloway's team is not only defensive-minded, but it also plays extremely slow - ranking 351st in overall pace. 

In turn, Seton Hall is 8-5-1 to the under this year with the games averaging only 125.5 points. At home tonight, the Pirates should keep the tempo slow and let their defense set the tone. They're 5-2 to the under at home this year and recently played to a 61-60 final vs. Georgetown at home. 

As for DePaul, it's hit a wall after beginning the season 7-0. The Blue Demons are 2-6 since while averaging just 62.3 PPG in those six losses. They also have the worst offensive efficiency in Big East play, averaging 62 PPG in four conference matchups. DePaul mustered only 56 points on the road at Villanova last time out and has scored fewer than 65 points in all four road games this year. 

Seton Hall and DePaul both only have one player apiece averaging at least 12 points per game this season. Isaiah Coleman (14.3 PPG) is a one-man show at times for a Pirates squad sorely lacking reliable scorers. Coastal Carolina transfer Jacob Meyer (14.2 PPG) leads the way for DePaul but there aren't consistent playmakers besides him. 

Grab the under in this one. It's hard to see either team scoring more than 65 or 70 points. DePaul's weak defense is the only worry, but Seton Hall doesn't have the offensive firepower to exploit that. The Pirates have scored fewer than 70 points in 12 out of 14 games this year. 

Pick: Under 133.5 Points (-110)

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