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Best College Basketball Picks Today: Duke (-23) May Struggle to Cover on January 18

 

There will be 19 of the top 25 teams in the latest Associated Press poll in action on Saturday, so the NFL playoffs are not the only game in town. Check out the BetUS Sportsbook previews on the Alabama vs Kentucky, Kansas vs Kansas State, Auburn vs Georgia, Purdue vs Oregon and Tennessee vs Vanderbilt games.

Best College Basketball Picks Today: Duke (-23) May Struggle to Cover on Jan 18
Cooper Flagg #2 of the Duke Blue Devils | Jared C. Tilton/getty Images/afp

Maryland’s overtime loss to Northwestern in our Jan. 16 best bets kept us from going 9-0 in our picks in a three-day span, but we’re undeterred. Check out some college basketball betting options for what could be a wild Saturday of basketball.

 

Top 3 College Basketball Picks Today

1. Boston College ATS +23

Lost in the hype of his recent 42-point outburst in a win over Notre Dame is that Duke’s freshman phenom Cooper Flagg has flirted with triple-doubles in each of his last two games. He averaged 27.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists against Notre Dame and Miami.

It could be more of the same as the Blue Devils hit the road to face Boston College on Saturday. The Eagles are just 1-5 in the ACC this season, so don’t look for the outright upset in this one.

Boston College has lost nine games in a row, so picking the Eagles to win might not be the best way to proceed. However, Boston College has covered against the college basketball spreads in each of its last four home matchups with Duke.

Take Boston College to do enough to cover as a 23-point underdog at home.

Bet On Boston College +23 vs Duke

 

2. California vs NC State Over 142

There are other ACC games that might grab the attention of those who bet online more than the one between California and North Carolina State. However, if you are looking for a high-scoring matchup between struggling teams, this might be the game for you.

Both the Bears and the Wolfpack have lost two games in a row. NC State lost 63-61 at North Carolina and then lost on the road by three points to Virginia Tech.

California, which is 1-5 on the road this season, is coming off a 26-point loss at North Carolina. Miami is the only team from the Power 4 conferences ranked below the Bears in the Pomeroy basketball database in defensive efficiency, while NC State is also outside the top 120 in that category.

When looking for potential Jan. 18 college basketball best bets, go with the California vs NC State game to land over 142.

Bet On California vs NC State Over 142 (-110)

 

3. Iowa State vs West Virginia Over 137

Iowa State is coming off an impressive win over Kansas, and next up for the Cyclones is a matchup that could be a little tricky. West Virginia is very quietly sitting in a tie for fourth place in the Big 12 standings, with an 8-1 home record having something to do with that.

West Virginia has already played giant killer earlier this season with a one-point win at Kansas.

We’re not ready to recommend anybody to roll with the +235 odds for the Mountaineers to take down the second-ranked Cyclones, and even the 6½-point spread isn’t the best betting option. However, let’s take a look at the 137-point total.

West Virginia has been held under 60 points in each of its last two games, but since the start of December, the Mountaineers average 71.3 points per game at home.

Iowa State ranks fifth nationally in defensive efficiency but is also in the top 10 in offensive efficiency. This won’t be an offensive masterpiece, but go with the Iowa State vs West Virginia game to land over 137 as one of our NCAAB expert picks.

Bet On Iowa State vs West Virginia Over 137

 

Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.

 

Questions of the Day

Which college basketball team is the heaviest favorite at BetUS Sportsbook on Saturday?


Duke (vs Boston College) and Bethune Cookman (vs Mississippi Valley State) are both favored by 23 points.

Which game has the highest total on Saturday?


The Alabama vs Kentucky game has a total of 177½ points.

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