College basketball Wednesday tips off today with a premier top ten matchups between Auburn and Alabama. In addition, today’s slate also offers elite matchups like Illinois-Northwestern and Utah-Washington State. With plenty of college basketball action in store, let’s dive into today’s best college basketball betting picks and predictions. Make sure to check out our other college basketball articles and our college basketball betting tools!
Best College Basketball Predictions and Bets Today
Illinois-Northwestern Odds
Odds via Bet365
Illinois: -155 | Northwestern +130
Illinois -3.0: -110 | Northwestern +3.0: -110
Over 146.5: | Under 146.5: -110
When: Wednesday, January 24 at 9 p.m. ET
Best Illinois-Northwestern Bet
Remaining a top ten team in most metrics despite a six game Terrence Shannon Jr. absence, Illinois currently holds a 14-4 record on the 45th most difficult schedule. Two of their four losses occurred in conference without Shannon, but three of the four losses came against top ten competition. On the other side, Northwestern sits at 13-5 with the 63rd most difficult schedule. Now 4-3 in conference, all three of those losses occurred away from home. Currently, Illinois sits as an X favorite in a game with an X total.
An elite team across the board, Illinois ranks ninth in offensive efficiency and 37th on defense. This team is both top 60 in two point and three point percentage, while ranking 12th in rebounding. Most importantly, they not return their true point guard in Shannon. An All-American candidate, Shannon averages 21.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game. Northwestern has struggled on defense at times, ranking 182nd interior defense and 301st in defending the three. On top of Shannon, Luke Goode, Coleman Hawkins, and Justin Harmon all shoot over 35% from three. Marcus Domask has also emerged as a legitimate scoring threat from all levels in Shannon’s absence, giving Illinois multiple paths to victory.
As for Northwestern, this team ranks 56th in offensive efficiency and 82nd on defense. They’re also 274th in rebounding, which projects as a major weakness in this game. As a team, they often rely on the three, where they rank 57th in three point percentage. However, Illinois is top 60 in defending that area of the court. Shannon also grades out as this team’s second-best defender behind Hawkins. Simply the less athletic team here, this line likely doesn’t bake in how much Shannon truly means to this Illini team.
Best College Basketball Prediction Today: Illinois -3.0 (-110 at bet365)
Providence-Seton Hall Odds
Odds via Bet365
Providence: +145 | Seton Hall: -170
Providence +4.0: -110 | Seton Hall -4.0: -110
Over 137.0: | Under 137.0: -110
When: Wednesday, January 24 at 6:30 p.m. ET
Providence-Seton Hall Best Bet
Reeling in Big East play after losing Bryce Hopkins, Providence currently has a 12-6 record with the 65th ranked strength of schedule. Despite this, Providence last lost four of their last five, falling to 3-4 in conference play. Their lone win in this span occurred against DePaul, who just fired their coach. As for Seton Hall, this team has a 13-6 record with the 28th ranked schedule. The Pirates sit at 6-2 in conference and currently sit as an X favorite in a game with an X total.
The loss of Hopkins has been massive for this Providence team. They’ve now fallen to 152nd in offensive efficiency, while keeping their defensive ranking at tenth overall. Standing 6-7, Hopkins leaves a void on the interior, which has forced Josh Oduro and Ticket Gaines into more minutes. This team ranks 96th in rebounding, but still trail a Seton Hall team ranked 22nd in this same metric. Without Hopkins, this team may increasingly rely on their shooting. Devin Carter shoots 37% and Jayden Pierre comes in at 44%. However, the Seton Hall transfers have grown with each game this season.
Speaking of which, Syracuse transfer Kadary Richmond has emerged as one of the top guards not only in this conference, but the country as a whole. An elite defender, Richmond will likely be tasked with stopping Carter. In their first meeting, Seton Hall held Carter to ten points, shooting 4-17 from the floor. Seton Hall has also experienced shooting regression of late, with Dylan Addae-Wusu, Dre Davis, and Al-Amir Dawes all jumping above 35% from three. With Hopkins out of the picture, Seton Hall simply remains the more talented team.
Best College Basketball Prediction Today: Seton Hall -4.0 (-110 at Bet365)
Miami-Notre Dame Odds
Odds via Bet365
Miami: -185 | Notre Dame: +155
Miami -4.0: -110 | Notre Dame +4.0: -110
Over 139.5: | Under 139.5: -110
When: Wednesday, January 24 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Miami-Notre Dame Best Bet
Perhaps the ultimate buy low spot of the slate, Miami travels to Notre Dame to take on an Irish team as an X favorite in a game with an X total. Miami has now dropped four of their last five games, but they still have a 12-6 record on the 95th most difficult schedule. On the other side, Notre Dame comes in as one of the worst teams in this conference with a 7-11 record on the 61st most difficult schedule.
Much of Miami’s recent struggles can be attributed to injury. Miami has dealt with injuries to Wooga Poplar, Nijel Pack, and now Norchad Omier. Omier missed Miami’s last game and his absence proved costly for a team that already cedes size to most opponents. Fortunately, Omier participated in practice yesterday and should return to the court tonight. Miami holds massive advantages over Notre Dame when healthy. This team ranks 31st in interior scoring and top ten in three point percentage. Notre Dame is 29th in overall defensive efficiency, but barely inside the top 100 at defending the three. With the exception of Omier, all of Miami starters shoot at least 38% from three and sixth man Kyshawn George shoots 44% from beyond the arc.
As for Notre Dame, this team has struggled in their first year under Micah Shrewsberry. They simply cannot score, ranking 310th in offensive efficiency. Unfortunately for them, Miami ranks 98th in defensive efficiency. Notre Dame should possess a size advantage, but most teams do against the Hurricanes. The Irish have also struggled to score inside, ranking 248th in two point percentage. Even worse, Miami still rebounds at a top 100 rate, barely trailing Notre Dame. At full strength, Miami should run away with this game.
Best College Basketball Prediction Today: Miami -4.0 (-110 at Bet365)
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