On the eve of 2024’s first true Super Tuesday, College Basketball action starts with a marquee matchup in the Coastal Athletic Association between Northeastern and Monmouth. Let’s get right into today’s best college basketball picks and player props for today, Jan. 8, and make sure to check out our other college basketball articles and our college basketball betting tools!
Best College Basketball Side & Total Picks Today
Northeastern-Monmouth Odds
Odds via bet365
Northeastern: +130 | Monmouth: -155
Northeastern +3.0: -110 | Monmouth -3.0: -110
Over 139: -110 | Under 139: -110
When: Monday, January 8 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Northeastern-Monmouth Pick
In Kenpom’s most exciting game of the night, Northeastern travels to Monmouth as a 3-point underdog in a game with a 139 total. Northeastern is 5-9 behind the 168th-ranked strength of schedule, while Monmouth enters the fold with an 8-6 record and the 144th strength of schedule.
Northeastern shooting guard Luka Sakota is questionable for this game after he missed the last one and played just 11 minutes the game prior. Sakota is the team’s top shooter on a squad with a horrific perimeter shooting percentage, which could push Northeastern to rely even more on interior scoring. The team is 52nd in field goal percentage inside the arc. However, it is 313th in effective height, which clashes with Monmouth’s 100th-ranked unit.
Monmouth was healthy through most of 2023. Its two major advantages come from elite 3-point shooting and a turnover-creating defense, as it ranks 38th in 3-point percentage and Northeastern is 314th in defending them. Monmouth also is 98th in turnovers forced, while Northeastern ranks 231st in turnovers committed.
Northeastern has one win in the top 200, but it has already lost to five teams behind that mark. Monmouth has three top-200 wins (West Virginia, Belmont, Towson) and a number of competitive losses to elite teams (Princeton, George Mason, Oklahoma, Seton Hall). Overall, this game sets up well for Monmouth.
Best College Basketball Pick: Monmouth -3.0 (-110 at bet365)
Houston Christian-Texas A&M Corpus Christi Odds
Odds via DraftKings
Houston Christian: – | Texas A&M Corpus Christi: –
Houston Christian +11: -110 | Texas A&M Corpus Christi -11: -110
Over 150: | Under 150: -110
When: Monday, January 8 at 8 p.m. ET
Houston Christian-Texas A&M Corpus Christi Pick
Houston Christian takes on Texas A&M Corpus Christi as an 11-point underdog in interesting matchup in the Southland Conference. At 2-10, Houston Christian has played the ninth-most difficult schedule in the country, while Texas A&M Corpus Christi is 8-6 behind the 196th-ranked strength of schedule.
Houston Christian’s body of work is tricky to evaluate due to its opponents. This team is outside the top 300 in most major efficiency metrics, but it does have a few factors working in its favor. Last time out, it returned Jay Alvarez from injury, who immediately jumped into 38 minutes. Alvarez is the most explosive player on this roster and helps facilitate on offense, with six regular contributors standing between 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-10.
Texas A&M Corpus Christi lost its head coach and its top six contributors. It has also played short-handed on the interior of late, with both Owen Dease and Shilo Jackson missing time. Neither status has been updated ahead of this game. These potential absences could give a significant size advantage to a bigger Houston Christian team. Texas A&M Corpus Christi’s strength comes from its guard play, where it ranks top 100 in turnovers forced and perimeter defense. However, Alvarez’s return and the potential size advantages make Houston Christian worth a look at the underdog price.
Best College Basketball Pick: Houston Christian +11.0 (-110 at DraftKings)
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