College basketball Super Tuesday tips off today with numerous top-100 matchups like: Houston-BYU and Kentucky-South Carolina. However, today’s slate also offers interesting matchups in the Big Ten and Big East. 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
Kentucky-South Carolina Odds
Odds via Bet365
Kentucky: -200 | South Carolina +165
Kentucky -4.5: -110 | South Carolina +4.5: -110
Over 155.0: | Under 155.0: -110
When: Tuesday, January 23 at 7 p.m. ET
Best Kentucky-South Carolina Bet
Starting the year 14-3 behind the 73rd-most difficult schedule, Kentucky opened conference play with a 4-1 start. Their only conference loss came against Texas A&M last week in overtime and on the road. Meanwhile, South Carolina is 15-3 with the 165th-most difficult schedule. Now 3-2 in conference play, South Carolina has traded wins and losses within the SEC. Tonight South Carolina hosts Kentucky as an 4.5-point underdog in a game with a 155 total.
Kentucky continues to peak at the right time and they just got Zvonimir Ivisic eligible for the season. Already one of the most unique rosters in College Basketball, Kentucky now has five legitimate contributors standing 6-8 or taller. Prior to Ivisic’s eligibility, Kentucky split Aaron Bradshaw and Ugonna Onyenso at the five. Both of whom, stand 7-0 or taller. Ivisic stands 7-2 and allowed Kentucky to kick Bradshaw to the four spot, creating a unique look in College Basketball. This doesn’t even include 6-8 Justin Edwards or 6-9 Tre Mitchell, who can thrive at the three/four spots. Furthermore, Kentucky possesses elite guard play with Reed Sheppard, Antonio Reeves, and Rob Dillingham all shooting at least 39% from three.
As for South Carolina, this team has actually impressed, despite playing a relatively weak strength of schedule. They did lost a 39% three point shooter in Myles Stute, which projects to hurt them in this spot. South Carolina ranks 63rd in offensive efficiency and 61st on defense. With Kentucky ranking third in offensive efficiency, this team was going to rely on shot making to win. They simply do not have the size to hang with Kentucky inside and now Meechie Johnson and Ta’Lon Cooper will have to shoot lights out. Johnson shoots 37% from three and Cooper shoots 42%, so it isn’t impossible. Just unlikely.
Best College Basketball Prediction Today: Kentucky -4.5 (-110 at bet365)
Wisconsin-Minnesota Odds
Odds via Bet365
Wisconsin: -165 | Minnesota: +140
Wisconsin -3.5: -110 | Minnesota +3.5: -110
Over 142.0: | Under 142.0: -110
When: Tuesday, January 23 at 7 p.m. ET
Wisconsin-Minnesota Best Bet
Quickly jumping to the number two team in the Big Ten, Wisconsin opened the year with a 14-4 record behind the eighth-ranked schedule. They sit at 6-1 in conference with their only loss coming in an ugly spot on the road against a Penn State team ranked outside the top 100. On the other side, Minnesota has a 12-6 record with the 263rd most difficult schedule. They’re 3-4 in conference play and mow coming off three straight losses. Despite this, they’ve taken money and now sit as 3.5 point favorites in a game with a 142 total as they defend their home floor.
Starting with Wisconsin, the Badgers will look to improve their road resume after dropping three of their first five true road games. On paper, Wisconsin should have almost every advantage over a banged up Gophers team. Ranked fifth in offensive and 77th in defensive efficiency, Wisconsin wins largely through their front court. The Badgers rank 15th in effective height behind Steven Crowl and Tyler Wahl. While somewhat of a liability defensively, they rank 47th in interior scoring and help generate fouls at the fifth-highest rate in the country. Unlike last year, the Badgers have also found perimeter scoring. Max Klesmit is currently shooting 42% from three and AJ Storr has the second-highest offensive rating on the team.
As for Minnesota, Elijah Hawkins enters this contest as a game time decision due to an ankle injury. Hawkins remains the team’s most efficiency scorer and would be a massive loss, if he cannot go. Outside of Hawkins, Minnesota wins through their interior with a slew of foul-prone big men. Only Dawson Garcia has routinely avoided the foul traps this year, but Wisconsin theoretically should be able to neutralize much of Minnesota’s interior. For those nervous on the Hawkins injury, waiting till tipoff could be the best move in this game.
Best College Basketball Prediction Today: Wisconsin -3.5 (-110 at Bet365)
Florida State-Syracuse Odds
Odds via Bet365
Florida State: +125 | Syracuse: -150
Florida State +3.0: -110 | Syracuse -3.0: -110
Over 150.0: | Under 150.0: -110
When: Tuesday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Florida State-Syracuse Best Bet
Heading to the ACC, Florida State takes on Syracuse as a three-point underdog in a game with a 150 total. Currently 11-7 overall, Florida State has begun conference play with a 5-2 record with the 39th most difficult schedule. Meanwhile, Syracuse comes into this game with a 13-5 record and the 39th most difficult schedule. Like Florida State, they’ve jumped out to a quick start in conference with a 4-3 record.
Instead of a side, the over might have some value here after money poured in overnight. Florida State ranks 50th in tempo and Syracuse is 48th. Since December 1st, those number have actually increased. Florida State ranks 35th in tempo and Syracuse ranks 36th over the last month and a half. Tempo should be important here with both teams excelling on defense. Florida State ranks 43rd on defense, but only 137th on offense. Similarly, Syracuse comes in 27th on defense and 170th on offense.
With that said, these offenses still have strengths. Both teams force turnovers at a top 40 rate, which creates the opportunity for points in transition. Both teams also struggle to defend the interior, despite ranking top 100 in effective height. Both teams have played with their rotations to start the year. Florida State historically keeps a long bench, but Syracuse has increased minutes for efficiency players like Maliq Brown, which should help interior scoring in this matchup. With two elite tempos here, the over looks intriguing.
Best College Basketball Prediction Today: Over 150.0 (-110 at Bet365)
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