Picks for Best Games on Saturday, January 19th
It is Saturday and conference play has begun, which means that today’s slate of games is going to be fun and the day is stacked with big games. There will be great games taking place throughout the day, however, it is not until tonight that the best game takes place, as that is when Virginia travels to Durham to take on Duke. That game should be fun, although the day should be filled with fun matchups throughout the day. Here are my pick’s for each of today’s best games.
North Carolina at Miami
Noon ET on ESPN2
Line: North Carolina -6
Pick: North Carolina
Against the Spread: North Carolina
Final Score Prediction: North Carolina 87 Miami 70
Why this pick? The Tar Heels are going to win this game and I would even say they are more likely to win in blowout style as well.
Michigan at Wisconsin
Noon ET on ESPN
Line: Michigan -2.5
Pick: Michigan
Against the Spread: Michigan
Final Score Prediction: Michigan 69 Wisconsin 60
Why this pick? The Wolverines are unbeaten thus far, I think it would be wise not to bet against them remaining unbeaten, especially with such a small spread.
Arkansas at Ole Miss
Noon ET on the SEC Network
Line: Ole Miss -6.5
Pick: Ole Miss
Against the Spread: Ole Miss
Final Score Prediction: Ole Miss 76 Arkansas 60
Why this pick? The Rebels are likely going to rebound after a loss to a really good LSU team by beating Arkansas handily.
Alabama at Tennessee
2 PM ET on ESPN2
Line: Tennessee -12.5
Pick: Tennessee
Against the Spread: Tennessee
Final Score Prediction: Tennessee 78 Alabama 62
Why this pick? Tennessee usually wins these types of games handily, I’ll pick them to do so here.
West Virginia at Kansas
2 PM ET on ESPN
Line: Kansas -5.5
Pick: Kansas
Against the Spread: Kansas
Final Score Prediction: Kansas 73 West Virginia 60
Why this pick? West Virginia isn’t playing well right now and has lost already at home to Oklahoma State, they probably will do the same against Kansas.
Indiana at Purdue
2 PM ET on FOX
Line: Purdue -7
Pick: Purdue
Against the Spread: Indiana
Final Score Prediction: Purdue 71 Indiana 65
Why this pick? Purdue is a good team but I don’t think they deserve to be seven point favorites, I think they win but it will be close.
Kentucky at Auburn
4 PM ET on ESPN
Line: Auburn -4.5
Pick: Kentucky
Against the Spread: Kentucky
Final Score Prediction: Kentucky 78 Auburn 70
Why this pick? The Wildcats enter as underdogs which seems about right but I think they get up for this one and pull off an upset.
TCU at Kansas State
4 PM ET on ESPN2
Line: Kansas State -1
Pick: Kansas State
Against the Spread: Kansas State
Final Score Prediction: Kansas State 71 TCU 66
Why this pick? Give me the team that is on fire right now in this one.
UCLA at USC
4 PM ET on CBS
Line: USC -2
Pick: UCLA
Against the Spread: UCLA
Final Score Prediction: UCLA 76 USC 66
Why this pick? I think UCLA sucks the least out of these two teams, that being said I wouldn’t recommend betting on PAC-12 basketball.
St. John’s at Butler
4:30 PM ET on FOX
Line: Butler -5.5
Pick: St. John’s
Against the Spread: St. John’s
Final Score Prediction: St. John’s 75 Butler 70
Why this pick? The Bulldogs aren’t exactly dominant at home, I think the Red Storm come into Hinkle and pick up a big win.
Texas Tech at Baylor
6 PM ET on ESPN2
Line: Texas Tech -2.5
Pick: Texas Tech
Against the Spread: Texas Tech
Final Score Prediction: Texas Tech 67 Baylor 60
Why this pick? The spread is too small for me not to pick Texas Tech.
Virginia at Duke
6 PM ET on ESPN
Line: Duke -2
Pick: Duke
Against the Spread: Duke
Final Score Prediction: Duke 68 Virginia 62
Why this pick? Duke at home is usually a smart bet, especially when they are only two point favorites.
Furman at Wofford
7 PM ET on ESPN+
Pick: Wofford
Against the Spread: Wofford
Final Score Prediction: Wofford 85 Furman 67
Why this pick? Furman has started to slow down as of late, while Wofford is getting better, I think the Terriors win this one handily.
Oklahoma at Texas
8 PM ET on the Longhorn Network
Line: Texas -4
Pick: Oklahoma
Against the Spread: Oklahoma
Final Score Prediction: Oklahoma 76 Texas 73
Why this pick? Oklahoma is the better team, I think they win in Austin against a streaky Texas team.
Mississippi State at Vanderbilt
8:30 PM ET on the SEC Network
Line: Mississippi State -3
Pick: Mississippi State
Against the Spread: Mississippi State
Final Score Prediction: Mississippi State 79 Vanderbilt 65
Why this pick? I think the Bulldogs win a tough road game pretty handily.
Yesterday’s Picks: 1-2
Year to date: 201-160-12