This week has been full of college basketball betting opportunities — Friday has plenty of betting value in college basketball before we get even more action tomorrow.
Dive in below for college basketball best bets and Three Man Weave's three picks for Friday, January 19. Jim Root has it covered!
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 |
|---|---|---|
  | 6:30 p.m. | |
  | 8:30 p.m. | |
  | 10:30 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. | ||
Georgetown vs. Xavier
By Jim Root
Considering the way Xavier is playing right now, this bet feels scary on the surface.
The Musketeers have covered four of their last five; the only non-cover was by the hook in a tremendous home effort against mighty UConn. Their average cover margin in those five games is +10.6 points.
But Xavier’s recent run of success is, in part, why I like this side.
The Musketeers have gotten up for big performances in every game during that stretch, playing likely (or certain) NCAA tournament teams in each one. Seeing Georgetown across the court at 8-9 overall and 1-5 in the Big East could lead to some complacency for the Musketeers.
Additionally, much of Xavier’s recent success has been fueled by scorching perimeter shooting. Xavier’s three primary guards — Dayvion McKnight, Quincy Olivari and Trey Green — are a combined 33-of-70 (47.1%) from beyond the arc in that five-game stretch. Regression could be lurking.
Fading that run with Ed Cooley as an underdog sounds incredibly appetizing. Since 2015, Cooley has gone an astounding 74-51-1 as an underdog (69-47-1 at Providence, 5-4 this year at Georgetown).
That record gets even better as a road dog: 45-24-1 (3-2 this year at Georgetown).
In a snoozy schedule spot for Xavier, I will back the Cooley-led Hoyas as road underdogs.
Pick: Georgetown +12.5 (Play to +11)
Indiana vs. Wisconsin
By Jim Root
Traditionally, I would want to avoid backing Wisconsin as a sizable favorite.
This year’s Badgers are different, though, possessing a flammable offense led by dynamic St. John’s transfer AJ Storr, freshman phenom John Blackwell and volcanic sniper Max Klesmit.
Combined with veterans Tyler Wahl, Steven Crowl and Chucky Hepburn, Wisconsin has an attack capable of roasting undisciplined defenses and burying lesser foes.
“Undisciplined” is certainly a word to describe Indiana’s defense. Despite having a mobile seven-footer with Inspector Gadget arms protecting the rim, IU consistently overhelps off shooters on the perimeter.
As a result, IU surrenders a ton of quality jumpers, ranking 305th nationally in defensive 3-point attempt rate, per KenPom.
That hasn't bit the Hoosiers in league play yet, with foes converting a paltry 26.1% of their triples. Plus, Shot Quality graded three of IU’s four Big Ten wins — Michigan, Ohio State and Minnesota — as losses.
Wisconsin’s cadre of snipers could raise that 3-point percentage in a hurry.
The spot also sets up well for the Badgers. They just lost their first Big Ten game, a disappointing road upset at the hands of Penn State, and should be laser-focused in front of a raucous Friday night crowd.
Indiana, meanwhile, hits the road in frigid temperatures after a listless demolition at the hands of arch-rival Purdue.
Fifth-year guard Xavier Johnson has embodied the Hoosiers’ chemistry issues, committing a flagrant foul in two straight games and generally moping about the court now that freshman Gabe Cupps has swiped his starting spot.
With what should be a motivated favorite against an imploding, overvalued visitor, I’ll lay the points with Wisconsin.
Pick: Wisconsin -10.5 (Play to -12)
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UNLV vs. Colorado State
By Jim Root
Kudos to FOX for its terrific Friday night triple-header — clearly, all three games are appealing to me (plus, I loathe wagering on the unpredictable MAAC, a Friday staple).
FOX’s nightcap pits two outstanding offenses against two shaky defenses, and that’s precisely where this handicap starts.
Colorado State’s scorching attack can frustrate foes with its tremendous spacing, ball movement and cutting.
The Rams are undersized in the frontcourt, but Niko Medved has flipped that into a strength by taking advantage of his bigs’ mobility and perimeter shooting. CSU spaces the floor around the virtuosic Isaiah Stevens at the point, allowing him to pick apart even the best defensive schemes.
UNLV’s forwards aren't necessarily plodders, but CSU’s intricate series of off-ball screens and cuts, while Stevens attacks off the bounce, will make life difficult. The Rams should find routes to easy baskets with its nationally elite 2-point percentage offense.
On the other end, UNLV can pound CSU at the rim and on the glass.
Rob Whaley Jr., a 260-pound wrecking ball, has emerged into a legitimate force over the past three weeks, forming a potent two-headed monster inside with hyper-efficient Kalib Boone.
Most recently, Whaley tallied 18 points and six boards (five offensive) against Boise State. Boise’s frontcourt is similar to CSU’s: mobile, fungible but lacking in heft.
Notably, CSU recently struggled with Utah State’s Great Osobor, a similar bully-ball force on the block who put up 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Whether this game has the pace to clear the necessary scoring bar is the burning question. Even at KenPom’s projection of 65 possessions, though, I think the two-way efficiency will be high enough to go over the total.
