While the NFL takes the spotlight on Saturday, there's still plenty of betting value to be had in college basketball.
In fact, our staff is targeting four specific games, two of which tip off before the NFL doubleheader.
So, here's our college basketball best bets and odds, including four top picks and predictions for Saturday, January 11.
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 |
|---|---|---|
  | 12 p.m. | |
  | 2 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 9 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. | ||
Notre Dame vs. Duke
This Notre Dame team can't win a close game right now, but it continues to be competitive against pretty much all of the competition it's faced this season.
Micah Shrewsberry isn't taking shortcuts in his rebuild of the Notre Dame program, and I think this locker room is very aware of the fact that there will be growing pains along the way.
Thus, the Irish will be a team that continues to play hard throughout conference play, and shouldn’t be a group prone to letdown spots.
Duke is rightfully a double-digit favorite in this game and is arguably the most talented team in America, but this line is a little bit inflated.
Notre Dame has size on the interior — Kebba Njie and Tae Davis — to at least make freshman phenom Cooper Flagg work for his buckets in the paint.
Additionally, the Irish have capable 3-point shooters — Braeden Shrewsberry and Matt Allocco — who can get hot from deep and allow them to hang around in this one.
The Blue Devils should have no trouble securing the victory, but with a number this big, I see enough value in the Irish to back them as a road underdog.
Pick: Notre Dame +19.5 (Play to +17.5)
Iowa State vs. Texas Tech
By Doug Ziefel
The No. 3-ranked Iowa State Cyclones have passed nearly every test on their way to a 13-1 start, but they now have to go on the road and face a Texas Tech Red Raiders squad that's looked great at the beginning of conference play.
The key to the Cyclones extending their 10-game winning streak is their defense. Defense is the one thing that travels well, and Iowa State has been excellent in that area, ranking ninth in adjusted defensive efficiency and 18th in defensive turnover rate.
However, the Red Raiders can’t be discounted, as their most recent surge is due to their play on the offensive end. Texas Tech ranks eighth in adjusted offensive efficiency and third in effective field goal percentage.
While the Red Raiders have been shooting well, they're due for variance to work against them; over 40% of their offense has come from beyond the arc. Despite Iowa State ranking 84th in 3-point percentage allowed, it's the much taller and longer team that can close out on shooters.
Where Iowa State has a chance to separate in this matchup is on the opposite end of the floor. The Red Raiders are undersized, and the Cyclones have made their living inside the arc, ranking 20th in 2-point field goal percentage.
Look for Joshua Jefferson to play a big role in the paint, as he’s converted 60% of his 2-point attempts this season. Jefferson will also create second-chance opportunities, as Iowa State ranks second in that category, while Texas Tech is 185th in defensive rebounding rate.
Back the Cyclones to get the job done on the road.
Pick: Iowa State ML +108 (Play to -125)
Northern Arizona vs. Montana State
Northern Arizona has been lost in the low-major wilderness for some time. The Lumberjacks have gone nine years without a winning record in Big Sky play and they haven’t beat Montana State in Bozeman since Barack Obama was in the Oval Office.
Oddsmakers are taking their cues from these trends and tossing points at NAU on the road. I’m happy to take the Lumberjacks here.
The top two players on the floor — Trent McLaughlin and Carson Towt — both belong to NAU. McLaughlin is the highest-scoring guard in the country (22.8 PPG) and Towt is a walking double-double (14/11).
In the past three games, NAU blew a late lead over Idaho State, squeaked by Weber State and faded late against Montana. The Weber State game was a fluke because Towt was ejected after just eight minutes of action. And had the Lumberjacks held on against Idaho State, this spread would be closer to one possession than two.
As for Montana State, it’s time to sell the Bobcats. Danny Sprinkle turned it into a formidable low-major, winning 81 games in a four-year span complete with two trips to the Big Dance before bolting for Washington.
Those well-coached teams are a distant memory.
The Bobs barely score 70 points per game, struggle to get to the line and never seem to get easy second-chance buckets (360th in OReb%).
Against the sharp-shooting Lumberjacks, that could cost them not only the cover, but perhaps the game outright.
Pick: Northern Arizona +8
Boise State vs. Utah State
Under Jerrod Calhoun, Utah State is playing a really fun brand of basketball. Among true mid-majors, the Aggies have the third-highest offensive efficiency rating, per Evan Miyakawa. They play ego-less basketball, effortlessly sharing the rock, which is evidenced by their assist-to-made-basket ratio (.626, 14th).
Additionally, sophomore guard Mason Falslev is shooting his way to a first-round NBA draft grade (47.5% 3P).
But Boise State isn’t some speed bump in the Mountain West. The Broncos were selected to win the MWC in the preseason and have a starting lineup headlined by the best big in the conference.
Tyson Degenhart is averaging close to 18 points and six rebounds per game, but he needs more help in the shooting department. The Broncos have struggled mightily from deep (29.9%, 310th), which is why they’ve burned the redshirt of highly touted freshman Pearson “Peanut” Carmichael.
The two-time Oregon high school basketball player of the year was supposed to make his Boise State debut next season, but Leon Rice and his staff decided that they couldn’t wait. In his first game, he knocked down a pair of triples and helped space the floor during a runaway win over UNLV.
Carmichael is the missing piece for a deeply talented team that's light on perimeter shooting. In high school, Carmichael shot better than 40% from long range as a stretch-four and has drawn rave reviews from teammates during practices this season.
If he catches fire, Utah State will be at risk of losing this game outright in Logan.
In a conference where home court advantage can mean a great deal, Utah State has the best ATS record on its home floor dating back to 2017.
That’s why this number is almost six.
Pick: Boise State +5.5 (Play to +4.5)
