Top College Basketball Picks for Friday, January 7 (2022)
Friday’s in college basketball is a bit slow. Most teams are preparing for a Saturday game in conference play. However, there are still a few games with value, and I’ll share them below. Let’s have a great Friday!
All odds via BettingPros consensus
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Marquette vs. Georgetown: Georgetown +2
(6:30 PM ET tip)
The Marquette Golden Eagles demolished the Providence Friars a few days ago, 88-56. However, before that game, at home, Marquette had lost four straight against teams like Creighton, Connecticut, Xavier, and UCLA. Marquette has played a lot of hard talent, but that massive win isn’t going to turn my head just yet. I need to see more.
Georgetown already beat Syracuse earlier this season and had won three straight before their most recent loss to TCU. The Hoyas can shoot it from three, hitting 39.2 percent of shots, and they’ll also dominate the offensive glass in this game. I’ll take my chances with Georgetown as the small underdog at home.
Lafayette vs. Holy Cross: Holy Cross +3
(7:00 PM ET tip)
I don’t expect anyone to watch this game, but I do think there’s value in Holy Cross, at home. Holy Cross and Lafayette are two of the worst teams in college basketball, but one team has to win in tonight’s game. I think that’ll be the home team. Holy Cross might actually get their first win of the season against D1 play tonight.
Lafayette is horrendous on the glass and that’s an area where Holy Cross is the better team. They’ll get more second-chance attempts and likely get better looks from the field.
Look, it’s hard to say anything good about either of these teams, but to me, it’s more evenly matched. I’ll take the home team with 3 points.
Xavier vs Butler: Xavier -4.5
(8:30 PM ET tip)
The Xavier Musketeers just do everything better than Butler does. Xavier has a higher effective field goal percentage while earning more offensive rebounds. They’ve limited turnovers at a higher rate and continue to get to the line at a higher rate as well in comparison to their opponents.
None of that should change against Butler. Xavier is ultimately the better team with a higher three-point shooting percentage and a higher percentage inside the arc. On top of that, Xavier has a higher free-throw percentage while also getting to the line more frequently.
Everything favors Xavier. If Xavier tries to speed up this game offensively, Butler is going to have to look to score at a more rapid pace and that will put them in a frenzy, as Butler is using 19.6 seconds per possession this season.
Xavier is much deeper and has assisted on way more baskets offensively. The Musketeers are more connected and overall, have more depth. So give me Xavier in the Big East night game.
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Jason Radowitz is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him @Jason_Radowitz.