Top College Basketball Picks for Tuesday, January 25 (2022)
Tonight’s college basketball slate features eight games with at least one ranked opponent. Usually, we have to wait until a Wednesday for so many exciting matchups, but we’ve got plenty tonight. I’ve got one bet, backing a ranked team, and two other bets that I think have value. Read below to find out which games I’m looking to put some money on tonight.
All odds via BettingPros consensus
Compare odds from all major sportsbooks for College Basketball >>
Michigan State vs. Illinois: Illinois -5.5 (-110)
(7:00 PM ET tip)
While everyone is down on Illinois, I’m not. Illinois has lost two straight games, including a double-overtime loss to Purdue and a shocking upset loss to Maryland, without Kofi Cockburn.
Cockburn is still questionable for tonight’s game, so it’s unclear if he will play at this time. Either way, Illinois is still the better rebounding team regardless, and neither team will force a lot of turnovers. Michigan State is shooting 39.2 percent from three, but that should change, on the road, against Illinois.
Meanwhile, Illinois is one of the best rebounding teams in the country, and while a lot of that has to do with Cockburn, this team has played elite basketball without him earlier this season and can do it again, at home, against Michigan State.
Bet: Illinois -5.5 (-110)
Wright State vs. Northern Kentucky: Wright State -125
(7:00 PM ET tip)
The Wright State Raiders had a brutal start to the year. However, now the Raiders are sitting at 11-8 on the year and 8-2 in conference play. The Raiders have scored 72 or more points in each of their last 10 games, and I’m not so sure Northern Kentucky can keep up offensively with the Raiders.
The Norse are shooting a 45.7 percent effective field goal percentage while shooting just 32.2 percent from three and 43.8 percent from inside the arc. That’s not going to get the job done against Wright State and its offense.
Wright State rarely shoots threes, while Northern Kentucky loves to shoot threes. However, Northern Kentucky has allowed opponents to shoot 52.7 percent inside the arc this season. On the other hand, Wright State is shooting 54.5 percent inside the arc. So, again, the Raiders should be able to get over 70 points in this game and cruise to victory.
Bet: Wright State -125
Cincinnati vs Temple: Temple +3.5 (-110
(7:00 PM ET tip)
The Temple Owls are 10-6 on the year and have plenty of bad losses on their resume. It’s not just that Temple lost to teams like Clemson, Boise State, St. Joseph’s, and UCF, but it’s the way they’ve lost those games. Each of those games was a double-digit blowout.
Then, on the other hand, Temple lost to Houston by just five at home and then beat UCF on the road, 66-62, in revenge. Temple is as inconsistent as it gets, but they’ve won three straight games and are now taking on Cincinnati at home.
Of course, Cincinnati has terrific defense this season. They’ve held opponents to 30.6 percent from three and 40.7 percent from two, which is one of the top rates in college basketball. However, Temple has held opponents to 31.8 percent from three and 45 percent inside. The Owls can hang defensively and typically shoot better on their home floor.
Therefore, I’ll take a chance on Temple, at home, at +3.5.
Bet: Temple +3.5 (-110)
Join the BettingPros Discord Chat for Live Betting Advice >>
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts
Whether you’re new to sports betting or a betting pro, our Sports Betting Strategy and Advice page is for you. You can get started with our 101 section — including 10 Sports Betting Tips for Beginners — or head to more advanced strategy — like Key Numbers When Betting Against the Spread — to learn more.
Jason Radowitz is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him @Jason_Radowitz.