College basketball Friday tips off today with an elite Big Ten matchup between Michigan State and Wisconsin. Today’s slate also offers elite matchups like Stanford-Cal and Iona-Siena. 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
Michigan State-Wisconsin Odds
Odds via Bet365
Michigan State: +125 | Wisconsin -150
Michigan State +3.0: -110 | Wisconsin -3.0: -110
Over 137.0: | Under 137.0: -110
When: Friday, January 26 at 8:00 p.m. ET
Best Michigan State-Wisconsin Bet
Now 4-4 within Big Ten play, Michigan State travels to Wisconsin as a three point underdog in a game with an 137 total. Currently, Michigan State has an 12-7 record with the 24th most difficult schedule. Meanwhile, Wisconsin checks in 15-4 behind the eighth most difficult schedule. A rematch from earlier this year, Wisconsin took the first meeting 70-57, despite playing on the road.
Starting on the Michigan State side, the Spartans already lost rotational guard Jeremy Fears Jr. already this year. Unfortunately, starter Jaden Akins also suffered an injury in Michigan State’s last game, causing him to play a season low in minutes. While Akins has gotten in limited practice this week, he will play this game at less than 100%. Overall, Michigan State comes in as the more efficient team, ranking 28th on offense and 18th on defense. Wisconsin has been vulnerable on defense and Michigan State ranks 62nd in three point percentage. This looks like their top path to victory, with Wisconsin playing through their front court.
As for Wisconsin, the Badgers rank fifth in offensive efficiency, but 77th on defense. Wisconsin wins primarily through the play of Steven Crowl and Tyler Wahl on the inside, ranking 15th in effective height. The Badgers also rank fifth in fouls generated, which has been a major issue for the Spartans all season. The Badgers have also gotten excellent play from Max Klesmit beyond the arc. He currently shoots 43% from three, which gives Wisconsin another path to victory. From there, the Badgers have been almost unbeatable at home, losing only to Tennessee in the first game of the year. Now facing a weakened Michigan State team, the Badgers should take this one.
Best College Basketball Prediction Today: Wisconsin -3.0 (-110 at bet365)
Stanford-Cal Odds
Odds via Bet365
Stanford: +125 | Cal: -150
Stanford +2.5: -110 | Cal -2.5: -110
Over 150.0: | Under 150.0: -110
When: Friday, January 26 at 10:00 p.m. ET
Stanford-Cal Best Bet
Moving to the PAC12, Stanford takes Cal as a 2.5-point underdog in a game with a 150 total. Stanford enters this game with a 10-8 record overall and 5-3 in conference. Overall, they’ve played the 46th most difficult schedule. As for Cal, this team sits at 7-12 with a 3-5 conference record. Cal has played the 41st most difficult schedule, but they only have two top 100 wins all season.
Beginning with Stanford, the Cardinals have played much of the season at less than full strength. Brandon Angel, Spencer Jones, and Jared Bynum have all missed time, but only Bynum remains out here. Stanford plays a tall lineup, ranking 19th in effective height. While Cal ranks 44th in this same metric, they hemorrhage production inside. Cal ranks 169th in defensive efficiency and 216th on the interior. Interestingly, Stanford also ranks seventh in three point percentage, giving them multiple paths to victory. Guards Michael Jones and Kanaan Carlyle both shoot 44% from there, where Cal ranks 312th on defense.
As for Cal, this team ranks 81st on offense and 188th in effective field goal percentage. Stanford is only 137th in total defensive efficiency, but they hold advantages over Cal in almost every metric. Much of Cal’s offense flows through Jaylon Tyson and Fardaws Aimaq. While strong players themselves, this type of play creates a volatile environment for Cal. If one or either has a down game, Cal simply doesn’t possess the offensive firepower to hang with a deeper team like Stanford.
Best College Basketball Prediction Today: Stanford +2.5 (-110 at Bet365)
Iona-Siena Odds
Odds via Bet365
Iona: -400 | Siena: +320
Iona -8.5: -110 | Siena +8.5: -110
Over 139.0: | Under 139.0: -110
When: Friday, January 26 at 7:00 p.m. ET
Iona-Siena Best Bet
Heading to MAAC, Iona travels to Siena as a -8.5 point favorite in a game with a 139 total. Iona enters this game with an 8-10 record behind the 291st ranked strength of schedule. They currently sit at 3-4 in the conference. On the other side, Siena holds a 3-15 record behind the 285th most difficult schedule. Siena currently holds a 2-5 conference record ahead of this contest.
Rather than look at a side, the total holds value towards the under. Iona ranks 215th in tempo and Siena comes in 221st. From there, neither team has shown much ability to score. Iona ranks 214th in offensive efficiency and Siena comes in 352nd. For reference, both teams hold superior defensive metrics. Iona is 153rd in defensive efficiency, while Siena ranks 294th. Siena has also battled injury with Michael Eley and Michael Ojo missing time most recently. With a somewhat wide spread, this game could come in with an even slower pace and play to the under.
Best College Basketball Prediction Today: Under 139 (-110 at Bet365)
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