Tonight’s college basketball action is highlighted by an SEC matchup between Alabama and Mississippi State. However, this slate also contains a few other elite matchups like Kentucky-Texas A&M in the SEC. Now let’s get into today’s best college basketball predictions and player props for today. Make sure to check out our other college basketball articles and our college basketball betting tools!
Best College Basketball Predictions & Player Props Today
Best College Basketball Side & Total Picks Today
Kentucky-Texas A&M Odds
Odds via bet365
Kentucky: +120 | Texas A&M: -140
Kentucky +2.5: -110 | Texas A&M -2.5: -110
Over 155: -110 | Under 155: -110
When: Saturday, January 13 at 2 p.m. ET
Kentucky-Texas A&M Pick
A top two matchup on this slate in of power rating, Kentucky heads to Texas A&M on a heater as a 2.5 point underdog in a game with a 155 total. Kentucky currently sits at 12-2 with the 117th ranked strength of schedule. Meanwhile, Texas A&M holds a 9-6 record with the 16th ranked strength of schedule.
While Kentucky has to hit the road here, they present a unique stylistic matchup for Texas A&M. Kentucky ranks sixth in offensive efficiency and 83rd on defense. For reference, Texas A&M ranks 78th in offensive efficiency and 106th on defense. Kentucky ranks 69th in effective height, which should contend with an elite Texas A&M rebounding team. The Wildcats have also developed elite depth inside behind Tre Mitchell, Justin Edwards, Aaron Bradshaw, and Ugonna Onyenso. In addition, the freshman guards have improved drastically throughout the season. In total, Kentucky has four players shooting at least 36% from three and three of those players come in above 40%.
As for Texas A&M, the Aggies recently returned one of the best rebounding guards in the country in Tyrese Radford. However, this team still has a scoring problem, evidenced by their 322nd ranking in effective field goal percentage. Kentucky remains a little weaker inside, but Texas A&M ranks 219th in effective height and rides the waves of Henry Coleman III. Honestly, this game could come down to Coleman’s ability to stay out of foul trouble. Ultimately, Kentucky’s roster possesses the athleticism to get this win on the road.
Best College Basketball Predictions: Kentucky +2.5 -110 at bet365
Virginia-Wake Forest Odds
Odds via bet365
Virginia: +195 | Wake Forest: -240
Virginia +5.5: -110 | Wake Forest -5.5: -110
Over 131: | Under 131: -110
When: Saturday, January 13 at 2 p.m. ET
Virginia-Wake Forest Pick
Heading to the ACC, Virginia travels to Wake Forest as a 5.5 point underdog in a game with a 131 total. Virginia is 11-4 this year with the 161st ranked strength of schedule. Meanwhile, Wake Forest is also 11-4 behind the 120th ranked strength of schedule.
Interestingly, Virginia has yet to win a true road game this year. This team also struggles to score and doesn’t have elite size. Both of which will be problems against Wake Forest. Virginia ranks 137th in offensive efficiency and 174th in two-point percentage. Wake Forest has been exposed from the perimeter at times, but Virginia still ranks outside the top 300 in three point attempts per game. They also rely heavily on Isaac McNeely, who shoots 49.4% from three on the year. While Jacob Groves also shoots also 40%, Virginia can’t find ways to keep him on the court consistently. Other than that, Reese Beekman, Andrew Rohde, and company all shoot below 30% from three.
The superior team overall, Wake Forest ranks 27th in offensive efficiency and 97th on defense. These metrics may not capture all of Wake Forest’s skill either after Efton Reid III received his waiver mid-season. Reid’s presence on the court puts Wake Forest 11th in effective height, exploiting a weaker Virginia interior. In addition to the elite size, Wake Forest possesses elite shooters. Kevin Miller, Hunter Sallis, Cameron Hildreth, Andrew Carr, and Parker Friedrichsen all shoot at least 35% from three. The home team here, Wake Forest should find ample opportunities to cover this spread.
Best College Basketball Predictions: Wake Forest -5.5 -110 bet365
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