College Basketball Parlay Picks for Tuesday, January 18th (2022)
The NCAAB season just keeps getting better as we head into the second half of the season. We saw the rankings get shaken up once again with a new No. 1 this week. A couple of teams featured today have been climbing up the ranks and sitting in the top 10 and will look to keep it that way in some tough road matchups.
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No. 9 Kansas vs. Oklahoma: (Tip 5 p.m. ET)
Kansas is one of the best offenses across the board as they rank fifth in field goal percentage (50.1%) and 13th in scoring (81.9). They needed a 34-point win over a team like West Virginia to get back on track after a close game against Iowa State and the loss to Texas Tech. Senior guard Ochai Agbaji continues to lead this team as he has over 20 points and seven rebounds in back-to-back games.
The Sooners have not been boomin’ as they’ve failed to score over 60 in back-to-back games. They’ve barely shot over 40% in either performance, and now they’re going against a Jayhawk defense allowing just under 42%. Oklahoma’s turnover problem could spell trouble — they are ranked 316th in offensive turnover rate, and Kansas is the 15th-best offense in transition.
Kansas has an excellent opportunity to get to .500 in conference play tonight. They should be able to take advantage of Oklahoma’s inability to hold onto the ball, and the Sooners have not done well at playing from behind this season.
Pick: Kansas -3.5
Butler vs. No. 25 UConn (Tip 7 p.m. ET)
UConn has played well in the last couple of games since their COVID-related hiatus with a win over St. John’s and a close loss against Seton Hall. Forward Adam Sanogo had the time to recuperate from some injuries, and he’s played well, leading the team in scoring both of those games and having at least 16 rebounds. What makes the Huskies dangerous is that they’re one of the more well-balanced teams as they are in the top 30 in offensive and defensive efficiency ranking.
Butler sits at 9-7, which isn’t terrible, but it’s the quality of the wins that you need to look at. The Bulldogs are 8-0 this season against teams ranked 100 or worse in KenPom rankings and just 1-7 against teams 99 or better. Connecticut is currently at No. 20. The offense has been near the bottom in scoring at 325th (62.6), but their defense is what keeps them competitive as they’re 56th in points allowed (63.6).
In this dog matchup, the Huskies have the bigger bark and bite. UConn is good at applying defensive pressure, especially in the backcourt. With Bulter turning the ball over on more than 20% of its offensive possessions, the Huskies are going to force quite a few in this game. UConn should have no problem catching the home win, but the total is a safer bet. Butler plays at one of the slowest tempos. Along with their offensive inefficiencies, and it should keep the score low.
Pick: Under 126.5
No. 8 Wisconsin vs. Northwestern (Tip 9 p.m. ET)
The Badgers have far exceeded expectations coming into this season. The preseason media poll had them finishing tenth in the Big Ten, but they’re 14-2 on the year and sit just a half of a game behind Illinois for the top spot in the conference. A part of that goes to the breakout year of guard Johnny Davis as the sophomore has seen an expanding role, leading the team in points (21.7), rebounds (7.5), assists (2.6), and steals (1.5). Do not be surprised if you hear his name in the discussion for National Player of the Year.
Even without their best player Pete Nance, the Wildcats were able to pull off the upset 64-62 road win against Michigan State on Saturday. Junior center Ryan Young stepped up with 18 points and eight rebounds in an expanded role — in fact, in the five games Young has scored 18 or more points in his career, Northwestern has won each. What Northwestern does well is protect the ball, as they are averaging the fifth-fewest turnovers per game in the country (9.1).
There will be a lot of adrenaline going into the game as Northwestern will play in front of their home crowd for the first time since March 2020. The question will be the status of Nance. Michigan State plays smaller, which helped NW in the interior and dominate the boards, and that will not be the same case as the Badgers have seven-footers Steven Crowl and Chris Vogt to protect the glass. You also saw Davis have a season-low 14 points against Ohio State, and he should bounce back tonight.
Pick: Wisconsin -2
Total Parlay (PointsBet): +581
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