College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (1/20)

It’s another Saturday with a full slate of games on the college hardwood. While a lot of people will be focusing on the NFL’s two Divisional Round playoff games, why not focus on both? We have a few picks to help build your bankroll and try to get into the black before our next big betting events: the Super Bowl and March Madness.

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Saturday’s College Basketball Best Bets

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. | All wagers are for 1 unit

Eastern Michigan at Ohio - 4:00 p.m. ET

The Eagles of Eastern Michigan check into Athens looking to take down the Bobcats of Ohio in a MAC battle. Both of these teams are 8-9 straight up (SU), yet EMU heads into this game as a double-digit underdog. The Eagles have cashed in two of the past three meetings, including the most recent game in the series with a double-digit spread on Feb. 3, 2022.

Eastern Michigan has lost and failed to cover the past three games, last winning and covering in a 71-69 game in overtime against Kent State on Jan. 6. As a double-digit underdog, the Eagles have covered the past three times.

Ohio is just 2-9 ATS in the past 11 games overall, although the Bobcats have covered both instances this season as a double-digit favorite. The Bobcats have cashed in the past two games at home, too, although they’re just 2-4 ATS in the past six games at the Convocation Center in Athens. Back EMU, as they should be able to keep it within single digits.

Bets: Eastern Michigan +12.5 (-110)

American at Lehigh - 5:00 p.m. ET

The Eagles of American and the Mountain Hawks of Lehigh square off in a Patriot League game at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, Penn. on Saturday afternoon. American heads in with 10 wins in 18 tries this season, while Lehigh has tasted victory just four times in 16 games. As such, the line is rather curious.

American picked up the win as a four-point favorite at Loyola (Md.) on Monday, winning 66-52. The Eagles have won and covered the past two games, and American is 5-1 ATS in the past six games overall. That includes a 75-66 win over the Mountain Hawks in Washington D.C. back on Jan. 3, too.

Lehigh has dropped the past three games, while cashing just once. That cover came as a 2.5-point underdog in a 71-69 loss at Navy. Perhaps the books are giving Lehigh too much credit because it has won and covered four of the past five meetings. Still, American pasted Lehigh this season, and it has a much better body of work this season. Take advantage, and back the Eagles on the moneyline.

Bet: American ML (+104)

Western Kentucky at UTEP - 9:00 p.m. ET

The Hilltoppers hit the road for Don Haskins Arena in El Paso. This is another one of those curious lines, as the 13-win ‘Toppers have posted a 9-6 ATS mark this season, while the Miners are just two games over .500, while going 3-11-1 ATS this season. In addition, Western Kentucky has won seven straight meetings in this series, while covering each of the past six.

Western Kentucky lost 72-70 at New Mexico State last time out on Thursday, but it did hang on for the cover as a 2.5-point underdog at most shops. The Hilltoppers are 3-1 ATS in the past four games, and 7-3 ATS in the previous 10 contests.

The Miners dropped Middle Tennessee 73-59 as a six-point favorite on Thursday, but it is still 1-4 ATS in the past five games, and 2-11-1 ATS in the past 14 outings overall. The trends all point to the Hilltoppers, both this season, and inside the series. This is another moneyline play at even money.

Bet: Western Kentucky ML (+100)

Grand Canyon at Seattle - 10:00 p.m. ET

In the late window on the west coast, we get a key Western Athletic Conference (WAC) battle. The Antelopes have come to play most nights, going 17-1 SU this season, with the lone setback coming on a neutral floor against South Carolina on Nov. 19. GCU has picked up notable resume-builder wins over San Diego State and San Francisco.

The Redhawks have dropped three in a row, all on the road, and they’re 1-3 ATS in the past four games after a 5-0 ATS run. Seattle has cashed in five of six games this season as an underdog, including an epic 100-99 OT loss at home against Washington on Dec. 17 as a similar 4.5-point underdog.

I think Grand Canyon gets the job done, but Seattle certainly won’t make it easy. Take the home ‘dog catching the points.

Bets: Seattle +4.5 (-110)

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