College basketball Monday tips off today with a pair of elite matchups between Duke-Virginia Tech and Houston-Texas. However, some of the bigger edges appear in the mid-majors with matchups like South Carolina State-Maryland Eastern Shore. 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
South Carolina State-Maryland Eastern Shore Odds
Odds via FanDuel
South Carolina State: +102 | Maryland Eastern Shore -122
South Carolina State +1.5: -110 | Maryland Eastern Shore -1.5: -110
Over 142.5: -110| Under 142.5: -110
When: Monday, January 29 at 8:00 p.m. ET
Best South Carolina State-Maryland Eastern Shore Bet
Starting in the MEAC, South Carolina State travels to Maryland Eastern Shore as a 1.5-point underdog in a game with a 142.5 total. South Carolina State has a 6-14 record with the 156th-most difficult schedule, and Maryland Eastern Shore is 5-13 behind the 227th-most difficult schedule. Maryland Eastern Shore currently has just one win against top-300 competition.
First of all, both of these teams enter this game near full strength. At full strength, South Carolina State has the superior roster, with five players ranked within the MEAC top 30, per EvanMiya. While only 295th in offensive efficiency, this team still holds an advantage over Eastern Shore’s 360th-ranked offense and 272nd defense. South Carolina State may lack elite scoring, but Wilson Dubinsky and Raquan Brown both shoot over 37% from three. This team also has a rebounding advantage. The Bulldogs are 188th in rebounding and 24th on the offensive glass. Eastern Shore is 323rd in rebounding. Finally, South Carolina State has one more micro-edge in forcing turnovers, ranking 33rd in turnovers generated, while Eastern Shore is 301st in turnovers committed.
The Hawks only have two players in the top 40 of this conference, and this team doesn’t seem capable of evaluating their own talent. Troy Hupstead only averages 26 minutes per game, and Toby Nnadozie plays 13.7. Within these averages comes plenty of inconsistency. In an 8-point loss last time out, the pair played 23 and 13 minutes without foul issues. This team has one player shooting better than 35% from 3, and Tyler Mack also only plays 20 minutes per game. Somehow this team upset Penn in overtime during non-conference, but it still has just two wins against division one opponents.
Best College Basketball Prediction Today: South Carolina State +1.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
North Carolina Central-Delaware State Odds
Odds via FanDuel
North Carolina Central: -114 | Delaware St: -105
North Carolina Central -1.5: -102 | Delaware St +1.5: -120
Over 135.5: -110 | Under 135.5: -110
When: Monday, January 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET
North Carolina Central-Delaware State Best Bet
Perhaps the premier buy-low spot of the slate, North Carolina Central has dealt with six of its main contributors missing at least a pair of games this year. Fortunately for the Eagles, every one of those players has since returned to the lineup. North Carolina Central ranks 306th in offensive efficiency and 197th on defense. At 312th in effective field goal percentage, it has a significant advantage over Delaware State, who is 351st. This number could also climb in the coming weeks. Josh Smith, Fred Cleveland, Ja’Darius Harris and Devin Gordon all shoot 35% from 3, with Harris leading the pack at 42%.
Delaware State has also dealt with injuries. However, Brandon Stone and Corey Perkins both continue to miss time. The biggest advantage for the Hornets comes from their frontcourt. Delaware State ranks 33rd in effective height and 98th in rebounding. In comparison, North Carolina Central is 327th in effective height and 302nd in rebounding. With that said, Delaware State still ranks outside the top 320 in interior scoring, raising questions with this theoretical advantage. North Carolina Central also has six players ranked in the top 25 of this conference, while Delaware State has one.
Best College Basketball Prediction Today: North Carolina Central -1.5 (-102 at FanDuel)
Alabama State-Texas Southern Odds
Odds via FanDuel
Alabama State: +162 | Texas Southern: -196
Alabama State +4.5: -110 | Texas Southern -4.5: -110
Over 134.5: -115| Under 134.5: -105
When: Monday, January 29 at 8:30 p.m. ET
Alabama State-Texas State Best Bet
Moving to the SWAC, Alabama State takes on Texas Southern as a 4.5-point underdog in a game with a 134.5 total. Alabama State enters this game with a 10-9 record while sitting 5-1 in conference and playing the 149th-most difficult schedule. Texas Southern is 6-12 with a 4-3 conference record and no wins higher than the top 273.
Alabama State has the top player in the conference, Ubong Okon. The 7-foot-1 sophomore center has some of the best defensive metrics in the conference with his rim protection. Texas Southern already struggles to score, ranking 339th in offensive efficiency and 357th in effective field goal percentage. Okon does have a reputation for fouling, but Texas Southern ranks just 264th in fouls generated. Alabama State struggles to shoot, ranking 359th in effective field goal percentage, but C.J. Hines shoots 42% from 3.
Texas Southern also has a trio of rim protectors standing 6-foot-10 or taller. This team does cede some defensive efficiency to Alabama State, ranking 155th, while Alabama State is 309th. Texas Southern has a few other concerns with its offensive as well. It ranks 203rd in turnovers, while Alabama State is 60th in turnovers created. Unlike Alabama State, this team doesn’t have any shooters. Jonathan Cisse leads the team with a 37% 3-point percentage, but most of the other players have struggled to reach even 30%. While a volatile game, Alabama State has enough edges to target in this game.
Best College Basketball Prediction Today: Alabama State +4.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
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