If you're looking for betting value for a small Friday college basketball slate, I have you covered.
I'm targeting three specific matchups on Friday, including DePaul vs. Georgetown in the Big East.
So, here's my college basketball best bets and top three picks and predictions for Friday, January 17.
College Basketball Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our college basketball betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Providence vs. Villanova
These two squads could have serious issues stopping each other. Both teams rank outside the top 100 in KenPom’s defensive efficiency rankings, so even though this may be a low-possession game, empty possessions could be few and far between.
Villanova has been an over team all season. Totals are 12-5-1 in Wildcat games, as their scoring efficiency has been ruthless, mostly led by Eric Dixon.
The fifth-year senior is one of the nation’s toughest covers, a bruising 265-pound forward who can also light it up from beyond the arc (47.5% from deep on 120 attempts). His presence helps open up the court for his teammates, as he requires the utmost defensive attention at all times.
Providence, meanwhile, has become an over machine recently. Four straight Friar games have gone over the total, doing so by a staggering average of 23.5 points per game.
They've played a little faster against conference opponents, and the offense has suddenly become significantly more potent (paired with a drop-off on the defensive end).
A move into the starting lineup for Ryan Mela is an underlying factor there. The freshman is a highly capable scorer and deft passer, but he's still figuring things out defensively.
Pick: Over 140.5 (Play to 143)
Youngstown State vs. Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s offensive structure is fairly straightforward: get a bunch of downhill drivers on the court, attacking weaker defenders in an effort to get to the rim or to the free throw line.
The Panthers are also an elite offensive rebounding team, thriving on second-shot opportunities after getting in close via the bounce.
The development of towering Youngstown State center Gabe Dynes could short-circuit that approach. At 7-foot-3, Dynes is a major intimidator at the bucket, ranking fifth in the country in block rate (13.9%).
He can be exposed in space, but Milwaukee doesn't have much shooting – especially in the frontcourt. Dynes is a big part of Youngstown’s Horizon-leading 2-point percentage defense.
On the other end, Youngstown State has struggled to score all year long. The Penguins currently sit 308th in offensive efficiency, per KenPom, as their 3-point-reliant offense has been undercut by poor marksmanship.
The under could get the added boost of EJ Farmer, Youngstown’s leading scorer, missing a third straight game. As of Tuesday, he was considered day-to-day. Subtracting him from the lineup would rob the Penguins of a major downhill threat.
Of course, the Panthers could be down rebounding monster Jamichael Stillwell, who missed Saturday’s contest with a hairline fracture in his finger. But the Panthers have plenty of depth inside with the return of Faizon Fields, who's back from a broken finger of his own.
In fact, Fields playing more is conducive to the under, as he’s a better defender while being far more limited offensively than Stillwell.
With both teams possibly short-handed personnel-wise — plus the presence of Dynes limiting Milwaukee’s ability to attack the cup — I'll back the under in this Horizon showdown, with both teams looking to stay in range of league-leading Cleveland State.
Pick: Under 146.5 (Play to 145)
DePaul vs. Georgetown
DePaul continues to seek its first conference win since Jan. 18, 2023. That victory may not come tonight in the nation’s capital, but the Blue Demons can stay within single digits of an admittedly much-improved Georgetown.
DePaul clearly still has some fire. The Blue Demons took Final Four contender Marquette to overtime on Tuesday, proving they can still hang against superior foes.
A letdown is possible here, but the Blue Demons’ high-variance offense (15th nationally in 3-point attempt rate, per KenPom) always gives them a chance to stay in games.
Georgetown, meanwhile, is in something of an odd schedule spot. In succession, the Hoyas just played all three of the Big East’s top teams close, unfortunately coming up just short each time.
After that top-shelf competition – and with another road trip looming next week – the Hoyas could be sluggish against the conference’s cellar dweller.
DePaul getting more out of David Skogman would help. The floor-stretching Davidson transfer has been back from a leg injury for three games, but he's been ineffective while logging just 28 total minutes in those contests.
Fortunately, NJ Benson has filled in admirably as a rebounder and rim protector, and he'll be vital against Hoya freshman big man Thomas Sorber.
Fortunately, the Hoyas have a gimpy key piece as well. Guard Jayden Epps looks like a shelf himself (just seven points over 28 total minutes in the last five games, two DNPs).
If he’s not right, Georgetown’s offensive ceiling – and ability to blow teams out – is much more limited.
Pick: DePaul +9 (Play to +7.5)
