As college basketball fans gear up for an exciting Saturday of games, the focus shifts from football, with the Super Bowl impending, to the hardwood. This Saturday, January 31, promises a thrilling 141-game slate, and we have compiled some expert picks and best bets to aid your wagering decisions.
In the highly anticipated matchup between Cincinnati and Houston at noon ET on FOX, the Cougars are favored by 15 points or more. Analyst Sean Paul believes Houston can exceed their last performance against Cincinnati, where they achieved only a 32% shooting average from beyond the arc, despite scoring 1.05 points per possession. He expects an improvement as the Cougars aim for a higher point total against the Bearcats, predicting Houston will adjust defensively to limit easy baskets inside.
At 2 p.m. ET on ACC Network, North Carolina faces Georgia Tech, and Tanner McGrath picks the under at 157 points. He believes the Tar Heels’ defensive luck will balance out, as opponents have uncharacteristically shot above 41% from three against them. McGrath anticipates that North Carolina’s defense will hold strong against Georgia Tech, which struggles with spacing and shooting efficiency, thus keeping the game under the total points line.
The afternoon features a clash between No. 13 BYU and No. 14 Kansas at 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Jim Root favors Kansas, laying the line at -5. With the potential for high NBA draft picks AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson to showcase their skills, distractions from defensive matchups may arise. However, Root believes Kansas, bolstered by Peterson’s return, will leverage their home court advantage for a victory.
At 8 p.m. ET, Creighton looks to bounce back against UConn as a +6 underdog. Evan Abrams highlights a powerful betting trend where unranked teams recovering from significant losses can often outperform expectations against ranked opponents. With Creighton’s disappointing recent performance still fresh, they will look to reclaim their competitiveness against an overvalued UConn team that has failed to cover in six straight games.
Closing out the day, Saint Mary’s takes on No. 6 Gonzaga at 10:30 p.m. ET, where the Gaels are also positioned as +10 underdogs. Duck, the analyst for this game, anticipates a lower-scoring affair and prefers the under at 147 points. He notes that Saint Mary’s historical performance against Gonzaga has been favorable, and with both defenses expected to excel, the game pace could align with the lower total.
With expert insights from various analysts, Saturday is set to offer compelling college basketball action. Bettors will find opportunities across the board as teams strive to improve their standings, making for an engaging atmosphere in gyms across the country.