College Basketball Picks

Alabama lays 7.5 at home against Texas A&M in an SEC showdown featuring two elite offenses. The Crimson Tide’s pace and efficiency advantages should overwhelm the Aggies’ porous defense despite Texas A&M’s four-game winning streak.

Louisville lays 17.5 at home against Notre Dame in an ACC matchup that looks like a mismatch on paper—and the efficiency numbers confirm it. The Cardinals rank 9th nationally in adjusted net efficiency while the Irish have dropped four of five, including three double-digit road losses. Bash breaks down why the tempo advantage and defensive gap make this number look right.

Houston’s laying 14.5 points at home against UCF in a classic style clash between the Knights’ elite offense and the Cougars’ suffocating defense. Bryan Bash breaks down why this number might be too high for a Houston team that doesn’t score enough to comfortably cover big spreads.

Villanova lays 7.5 at home against Seton Hall in a Big East clash featuring identical adjusted net efficiencies but vastly different styles. The Wildcats’ elite offensive rebounding and shooting efficiency should overwhelm the Pirates’ elite defense in a low-possession battle.

With Kylan Boswell sidelined, freshman Keaton Wagler has stepped up, averaging 22 points in conference play. Northwestern brings a disciplined, low-turnover style to the table, but they lack the rebounding depth to match Illinois’ +9.0 glass advantage. Read our full betting preview to see why the point spread reflects a massive talent mismatch that the Wildcats can’t easily solve on the road.

BYU heads to Stillwater as a 5.5 to 6-point road favorite over undefeated Oklahoma State, and the efficiency numbers explain why—but the pace differential could make this closer than the market thinks.

Belmont’s laying 9.5 to 10.5 points against Drake in an MVC clash that pits elite offensive efficiency against suffocating defense. The Bruins are 9-1 and rolling, but Drake ranks 43rd in defensive efficiency and 3rd nationally in turnover ratio. Can the Bulldogs’ ball security keep this within single digits?

San Diego State lays 11.5 at home against Wyoming in a Mountain West clash where efficiency trumps records. Bash breaks down why the Aztecs’ elite three-point shooting and pace control make this number a gift, despite Wyoming’s 7-2 record.

Tennessee’s laying 11.5 to 12 points against Ole Miss, and the efficiency numbers back this spread completely. The Vols rank 30th in adjusted net efficiency while the Rebels sit at 104th. Bash breaks down why Tennessee should dominate at home.

With Alex Karaban and Silas Demary Jr. leading the way, the Huskies are hunting their 22nd win. This guide delivers a comprehensive total pick and side analysis for the February 3rd tip-off on Peacock.