Picks for Best Games on Wednesday, January 2nd
Tonight will be the first night of conference play for many teams, so this should be a good night to sit down and watch College Basketball. There will be a few big matchups tonight, that should feature quality games, but no games that stick out, as the only Top-25 matchup will see Oklahoma play at Kansas.
Nebraska at Maryland
6:30 PM ET on the Big Ten Network
Line: Even
Pick: Nebraska
Against the Spread: Nebraska
Final Score Prediction: Nebraska 69 Maryland 65
Why this pick? This game is a total tossup but I will pick Nebraska to try to make a statement early in conference play.
Seton Hall at Xavier
6:30 PM ET on Fox Sports 1
Line: Xavier -3.5
Pick: Seton Hall
Against the Spread: Seton Hall
Final Score Prediction: Seton Hall 78 Xavier 65
Why this pick? Seton Hall is somehow underdogs which is shocking, they’ve been the better team all year long and I think that continues tonight.
Georgetown at Butler
7 PM ET on Fox Sports Network
Line: Butler -8.5
Pick: Butler
Against the Spread: Georgetown
Final Score Prediction: Butler 76 Georgetown 71
Why this pick? I think Butler wins but I don’t think they are going to beat Butler by 9 or more, I think it probably is closer than that.
Texas Tech at West Virginia
7 PM ET on ESPNU
Line: Texas Tech -3.5
Pick: Texas Tech
Against the Spread: Texas Tech
Final Score Prediction: Texas Tech 71 West Virginia 63
Why this pick? Texas Tech has been solid, West Virginia hasn’t ever been good this year, game results suggest that the Red Raiders should roll.
tulsa at Houston
8 PM ET on ESPN3
Line: Houston -13.5
Pick: Houston
Against the Spread: Tulsa
Final Score Prediction: Houston 76 Tulsa 70
Why this pick? Houston is good but Tulsa is no slouch, this game will be at least close but I think Houston probably wins.
Northwestern at Michigan State
PM ET on the Big Ten Network
Line: Michigan State -12.5
Pick: Michigan State
Against the Spread: Michigan State
Final Score Prediction: Michigan State 78 Northwestern 63
Why this pick? The Spartans have played really well at home this year, I think they’ll continue to do that in this game as they roll through Northwestern.
Oklahoma at Kansas
9 PM ET on ESPN2
Line: Kansas -10
Pick: Kansas
Against the Spread: Oklahoma
Final Score Prediction: Kansas 75 Oklahoma 67
Why this pick? This game will be close, Kansas will win but not by double digits.
Texas at Kansas State
9 PM ET on ESPNU
Line: Kansas State
Pick: Kansas State
Against the Spread: No pick
Final Score Prediction: Kansas State 59 Texas 55
Why this pick? Stay away from this game, both teams are too inconsistent to predict the result of this game.
Iowa State at Oklahoma State
9 PM ET on ESPN News
Line: Iowa State -4.5
Pick: Iowa State
Against the Spread: Iowa State
Final Score Prediction: Iowa State 78 Oklahoma State 70
Why this pick? This game could be a close game but I’m not confident enough to pick Oklahoma State to cover in this game.
Utah State at Nevada
11 PM ET on ESPNU
Line: Nevada -10
Pick: Nevada
Against the Spread: Utah State
Final Score Prediction: Nevada 75 Utah State 69
Why this pick? Nevada hasn’t really played well at home of late, while Utah State is looking to move towards an at-large, I think this game is close in the end.
Yesterday’s Picks: 1-1
Year to date: 152-114-11