Tonight’s college basketball action is highlighted by a Big Ten matchup between Nebraska and Iowa. However, this slate also contains a few under the radar matchups like Rice-South Florida in the AAC. Now let’s get into today’s best college basketball predictions and player props for today. Make sure to check out our other college basketball articles and our college basketball betting tools!
Best College Basketball Predictions & Player Props Today
Best College Basketball Side & Total Picks Today
Nebraska-Iowa Odds
Odds via bet365
Nebraska: +160 | Iowa: -190
Nebraska +4.5: -110 | Iowa -4.5: -110
Over 165.5: -110 | Under 165.5: -110
When: Friday, January 12 at 9:30 p.m. ET
Nebraska-Iowa Pick
Starting conference play 3-2, Nebraska now hits the road to face Iowa as a 4.5 point underdog. So far, Nebraska sits at 13-3 behind the 154th ranked strength of schedule. Meanwhile, Iowa enters this contest 9-6 with the 80th ranked strength of schedule.
It should be noted that both of Nebraska’s Big Ten losses occurred on the road (Minnesota and Wisconsin). However, Nebraska enters this game as the far more complete team, ranking 50th in offensive efficiency and 62nd in defensive efficiency. They also possess elite size in the front court led by Reink Mast, Josiah Allick, and Juwan Gary. More importantly, they rank 28th in three point attempts per game, while ranking 94th in three point percentage. Iowa ranks 256th in three point defense, giving Nebraska a clear mismatch on the offensive side.
On the other side, Iowa wins largely through their front court, which matchup poorly against Nebraska. The Huskers rank 29th in interior defense, as well as 90th in perimeter defense. Not to mention, they hold a rebounding advantage, despite facing a taller Iowa team here. Overall, taking the points with Nebraska makes the most sense.
Best College Basketball Predictions: Nebraska +4.5 -110 at bet365
Rice-South Florida Odds
Odds via bet365
Rice: +180 | South Florida: -220
Rice +5.0: -110 | South Florida -5.0: -110
Over 147: | Under 147: -110
When: Friday, January 12 at 7 p.m. ET
Rice-South Florida Pick
Diving into AAC play, Rice hits the road to face South Florida as a 5.5 point underdog in a game with a 147 total. Rice possesses a 6-9 record behind the 244th ranked strength of schedule. Meanwhile, South Florida sits at 8-5 behind the 337th ranked strength of schedule.
While neither team has faced great competition, South Florida checks in 146th in offensive efficiency and 71st in defensive efficiency. They have also done so at less than full strength. In total, Kasean Pryor, Jose Placer, Brandon Stroud, and Corey Walker have all missed time this year. However, all have returned to action ahead of this matchup against Rice.
Conversely, Rice ranks 238th in offensive efficiency and 246 on defense. This team wins primarily through their size, where they rank 30th in effective height. USF checks in 273rd in that metric, but Walker and Pryor being healthy mitigates that matchup. Walker stands 6-8 and Pryor at 6-9, giving USF talented depth ahead of this matchup. Now healthy and playing at home, USF should cover this spread.
Best College Basketball Predictions: South Florida -5.0 -110 bet365
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Best College Basketball Props Today
Minnesota-Indiana Player Prop
A Big Ten matchup between a pair of top 100 teams, Minnesota hits the road to face Indiana as a 4.5 point underdog in a game with a 144 total. On top of that, Minnesota ranks below average in terms of pace, which could slow Indiana’s up-tempo offense. Minnesota has also gotten healthier, which should expand their rotation ahead of this game.
Specifically, Braeden Carrington returned to the lineup and played 30 minutes last time out. Before injury, Carrington had started all ten of Minnesota’s games. His skillset overlaps primarily with Cam Christie, but also a little with Mike Mitchell Jr.. With Carrington back to 30 minutes last game, Christie and Mitchell saw their minutes drop to 26 and 27. Both project towards the under here, but Christie looks a little more vulnerable. Ultimately, if doesn’t start, they would immediately project to the under. As of now, both project slightly to the under, with slightly more value on Christie’s under.
Best College Basketball Player Prop: Cam Christie Under 16.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists +100 at DraftKings
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