College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions: Saturday (1/6)
It’s another busy day on the College Basketball hardwood on Saturday, and a few of my favorites are in action yet again. To have success betting college hoops, you simply cannot attempt to bet all 300+ teams. It’s tedious, and even someone who works handicapping full-time cannot know every in and out about every team. Instead, it’s a good idea to know three to five conferences, and get to know those teams well. Know who is hot, who is hitting regularly on the number, who is going Over or Under on a regular basis, etc. And, try and keep track of injuries as best you can.
We’ll look to stay hot heading into the first full weekend of the 2024 calendar year.
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Saturday’s College Basketball Best Bets
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All wagers are for 1 unit
Howard at North Carolina Central - Noon ET
The Bison of Howard hit the road for Durham to tangle with the Eagles of North Carolina Central at McDougald-McLendon Arena. I’ve spent some time at NCCU in the past, and I have to tell you, I haven’t met a friendlier group of kids. The students there are always super respectful, but that’s not why I am picking the Eagles.
North Carolina Central has won four in a row while covering three in a row against Division I teams. The best win was on Dec. 20, when NCCU topped Longwood 79-70 as a 5.5-point underdog. Defense has been a major reason for the Eagles’ turnaround, as NCCU has held opponents to 70 or fewer points in each of the past four outings.
The Bison were tripped up 86-78 in OT last time out on Wednesday while going just 1-5 ATS in the past six games overall. The Eagles are 4-1 SU in the past five meetings at home, too, while cashing in three of the past four. NC Central is also 5-2 ATS in the past seven battles in this series.
Bets: North Carolina Central -1.5 (-114)
Winthrop at South Carolina Upstate - 4 p.m. ET
The Eagles of Winthrop and the Spartans of South Carolina Upstate do battle in Spartanburg in a Big South Conference matchup. The Spartans have struggled lately, winning just once in the past five games, while going 1-3 ATS in the previous four outings. As a single-digit underdog, Upstate has covered just once in the past five instances.
The Eagles are coming off a 68-60 win and cover against Longwood as a 3.5-point favorite in overtime. Winthrop has covered a season-best three games in a row. And for same-game parlay bettors, Winthrop has cashed the Under in five straight games against Division I teams.
The Spartans won and covered both meetings last season. However, Winthrop has won eight of the past 10, while holding a slight 6-4 ATS advantage dating back to Jan. 19, 2019.
Bet: Winthrop -5.5 (-110)
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Incarnate Word - 4 p.m. ET
This is the type of game you see on Scott Van Pelt’s “Bad Beats” segment, wondering what kind of degenerate bets such games. Hi, my name is Dan. Nice to meet you! Ha.
The Islanders have rebounded after a slow start, winning four of the past five games, while cashing three in a row, and six of the past eight games against Division I teams overall. In addition, TAMCC has won and covered each of the past four meetings with the Cardinals.
Incarnate Word has dropped six of the past eight games outright, and one of those wins came against Our Lady of the Lake, 83-74, an NAIA school from San Antonio with an enrollment of just 2,700. Back the Islanders.
Bet: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi -1.5 (-115)
Hawaii at Cal State Northridge - 8 p.m. ET
The Warriors wrap up a two-game conference trip to the mainland. It was a successful trip already, as Hawaii picked up a 78-67 win at Cal State Bakersfield on Thursday. The cover as 5.5-point favorites halted a three-game losing skid, while Hawaii is just 2-6 ATS in eight games overall.
The Matadors of Cal Northridge have been one of my favorite teams to play this season. The Mats have covered eight in a row dating back to Nov. 21, with its lone non-cover being a loss to Le Moyne. Northridge is 2-0 SU/ATS inside the conference, too.
Keep rolling with the Matadors, who will make the Rainbow Warriors see red on Saturday.
Bets: Cal State Northridge Moneyline (+112)
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