Top College Basketball Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday, January 7th (2022)
On Thursday, there were six games on the college basketball slate involving top 25 teams. Five of those games were decided by three or fewer points. If that is any indication of the type of weekend it will be, we are in for some thrilling action.
Here are our best bets for Saturday’s college basketball action. (Odds courtesy of DraftKings)
Top College Basketball Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday, January 7th (2022)
Texas vs. Oklahoma State Spread
It seemed inevitable that Texas would fire Chris Beard after suspending him without pay following an arrest for a third-degree felony charge. The Longhorns have had some unusual results in the six games they have played under associate head coach Rodney Terry, needing overtime to beat Rice and allowing an uncharacteristic 116 points in a home loss to Kansas State. Defense is usually Beard’s calling card, and the team had allowed more than 75 points just once in the first eight games to start the season. Thus, it is fair to wonder if there is still buy-in from the Longhorns players.
Oklahoma State had Kansas down double digits at Allen Fieldhouse last weekend, and ranks in the top 18 nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, effective field goal percentage defense, 3-point percentage, and 2-point percentage allowed.
The Longhorns have not covered any of their last five road games, while Oklahoma State is on a four-game cover streak.
Bet: Oklahoma State +3 (-110 at DraftKings)
Creighton vs. UConn Spread
It seems like ages ago that Creighton suffered a six-game losing streak, as the return of Ryan Kalkbrenner from a three-game absence has spurred three straight wins over DePaul, Butler, and Seton Hall by a combined 59 points. With a healthy Kalkbrenner, a ten-point home loss to Nebraska is the team’s only inexcusable loss, as the two other losses were by a combined seven points at Texas and on a neutral court against Arizona. Meanwhile, UConn has lost back-to-back games and recorded four straight performances with negative efficiency ratings, per Haslametrics.
The competition gets much steeper against the Huskies compared to what the Bluejays have faced of late, but Creighton is 22-8 ATS in its last 30 games against teams with a winning record. In addition, four of the last five meetings between these teams have been decided by four or fewer points, so this spread feels too high today.
Bet: Creighton +6.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
Duke vs. Boston College Spread
Duke was flat-out embarrassed by NC State in its last game, losing by 24 and trailing at one point by 29. Haslametrics calculated Duke to have a season-worst -43.9 efficiency rating in that loss, as it turned the ball over 21 times and allowed the Wolfpack to make ten 3-pointers and shoot 38.5% from beyond the arc. And the following tweet from Erik Haslam should have Duke backers concerned about this trip to Chestnut Hill.
The Blue Devils are 18-1 SU in their last 19 games against the Eagles, but have lost both of their true road games this year by double digits. The underdog has covered four of the last five meetings between these teams, and we like for Boston College to keep this game close once again.
Bet: Boston College +9.5 (-110 at DraftKings)
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Mike Spector is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @MikeSpector01.