Top College Basketball Picks for Monday, January 31 (2022)
We’re approaching February, and that means that we’re just six weeks away from having a March Madness bracket. Let’s keep counting down the days! But first, let’s build a bankroll for when it’s tournament time. Playing with house money in March is always extremely fun.
Here are my top three picks for January 31st in college basketball.
All odds via BettingPros consensus
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Drexel vs. UNC Wilmington: Drexel +1.5
(7:00 PM ET tip)
It’s time to fade UNC Wilmington. I know. UNC Wilmington has won eight straight conference games and is currently 8-0 in conference play. But UNC Wilmington continues to make things close and continues to come back after getting down by so much.
Drexel should be able to win this game on the offensive end. The Dragons are shooting 36.7 percent from three and 51.2 percent from inside. In both areas, UNC Wilmington struggles to defend and is below average in those categories. Drexel isn’t great offensively either, but UNC Wilmington is shooting just 31.8 percent from three and 45.3 percent from inside the arc.
The luck is about to run out.
Bet: Drexel +1.5 (-110)
Colorado State vs. Wyoming: Wyoming +1 (-110)
(8:00 PM ET tip)
Colorado State was on an absolute tear until last week when they lost to UNLV as heavy favorites, 88-74. The Rams are a terrific offense and have some great qualities on defense, but it’s going to be extremely hard to beat Wyoming, especially if they’re back to full health, or at least near it.
Colorado State shoots 38.3 percent from deep, but Wyoming holds opponents to 28 percent from long range. Plus, Colorado State only earns 22.7 percent offensive rebounds. Wyoming should keep Colorado State off the glass in this one.
On the other hand, Wyoming dominates inside, shooting 57.4 percent inside the arc. The Cowboys have capable shooters, but with Colorado State allowing opponents to shoot 51 percent from inside, the Cowboys should dominate and score some easy buckets. Give me Wyoming at home.
Bet: Wyoming +1 (-110)
South Dakota State vs. North Dakota: Under 162.5 (-115)
(8:00 PM ET tip)
When these two teams met earlier this season, the total finished at 157. Basically, to reach an over of 162.5, you would need both teams to score over 80 points. South Dakota State averages 87.7 points per game. North Dakota only averages 69.6 points per game.
We know South Dakota State will have a field day offensively, but North Dakota won’t be able to keep up. North Dakota only shoots 30.3 percent from three and 46.5 percent from inside.
Plus, neither team is all that effective on the offensive glass, and South Dakota State doesn’t send teams to the line very often. This game finished 96-61 last time out, which was 157 points and an easy win for South Dakota State. If there’s just a four-minute period with lag offensively, the under should hit. Everything needs to go right to get over 162.5. I don’t see it happening.
Bet: Under 162.5 (-115)
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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.