There is a loaded slate of college basketball games on the schedule for January 8, including several Top 25 teams in action. This means that there will be plenty of betting opportunities available as well, especially for the biggest games.
College Basketball Betting Sites
Here are four of the best bets for college basketball games on January 8:
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions
Best Bet: Purdue -8.5
The Boilermakers are coming into this game off of a loss at Penn State, and that could spell big trouble for the Nittany Lions. Purdue is a pretty sizable betting favorite in this game, but this looks like a complete mismatch on paper.
Purdue is scoring 86 points per game this season, while Penn State is just slightly over 67. The Nittany Lions have to find a way to slow this game down, but they just don’t have the size to get that accomplished.
This one might be essentially over by halftime as Purdue blows past Penn State to cover the spread.
Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Texas vs. Oklahoma State Picks
Best Bet: Texas -3.5
The Oklahoma State Sooners have lost two straight games, and now they will be forced to deal with the Texas Longhorns. Oklahoma State is scoring more points per game than Texas, but that defense has been a real issue.
The Longhorns can not only score, but they are holding opponents to just 52 points per game. That defense can also be extremely disruptive, and that might be a big problem for the Oklahoma state backcourt.
Playing on the road in the Big 12 Conference is always a challenge, but Texas won’t have much trouble winning this one on Saturday.
Michigan State Spartans vs. Michigan Wolverines
Michigan State vs. Michigan Picks
Best Bet: Michigan -2
The Michigan Wolverines are suddenly just 7-6 on the year, and they look to be in danger of missing out on the NCAA Tournament. Michigan has now lost three of its last four games, including two games in the Big Ten Conference.
Michigan State is trending in the other direction as they come into this game with a record of 13-2. The Spartans would appear to be the right play in this one, but you can throw out records and momentums in this rivalry.
Playing at home against Michigan State might be just what Michigan needs to get this thing turned around. The Wolverines are going to pick up an impressive home win and do so in convincing fashion.
College Basketball Predictions
Kansas Jayhawks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Best Bet: Kansas -4.5
Texas Tech is back in the AP Top 25, but their reward is hosting the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday afternoon. The Red Raiders are holding opponents to just 57.6 points per game, but trying to slow down Kansas will not be an easy task.
The Jayhawks are loaded with talent, and Ochai Agbaji is scoring more than 20 points per game. Kansas just has so many weapons on offense, and it’s hard to see Texas Tech scoring enough points to keep up.
The Red Raiders will keep this one close for a while, but Kansas will cover the slim spread on the road in a win.
