Picks for 1/24/26
College Basketball
NOON EST
Rotation # 604
Minnesota +5.5 over Nebraska (loss)
Fred Hoiberg has his Cornhuskers out to a 19-0 start, and they hold the top spot in the BIG 10. Most of the work has been done at home, so an early start on the road might be a classic slip-up spot, especially with Braden Frager’s status unknown after being seen in a walking boot in the second half of their last game. The Cornhuskers’ bench continues to shrink, which puts a lot of pressure on their starters. The Golden Gophers have been playing with a shortened bench themselves, operating in a 6- or 7-man rotation due to key injuries, but they are used to it. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson and Cade Tyson have been playing well and have the size to get Nebraska in foul trouble. Look for the Golden Gophers to play at a snail’s pace and to make it a lower-scoring game with the chance to hang around down the stretch. Take Minnesota.
NOON EST
Rotation # 604
Minnesota +5.5 over Nebraska (loss)
Fred Hoiberg has his Cornhuskers out to a 19-0 start, and they hold the top spot in the BIG 10. Most of the work has been done at home, so an early start on the road might be a classic slip-up spot, especially with Braden Frager’s status unknown after being seen in a walking boot in the second half of their last game. The Cornhuskers’ bench continues to shrink, which puts a lot of pressure on their starters. The Golden Gophers have been playing with a shortened bench themselves, operating in a 6- or 7-man rotation due to key injuries, but they are used to it. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson and Cade Tyson have been playing well and have the size to get Nebraska in foul trouble. Look for the Golden Gophers to play at a snail’s pace and to make it a lower-scoring game with the chance to hang around down the stretch. Take Minnesota.
College Basketball
12:30 PM EST
Rotation # 616
UConn -10.5 over Villanova (loss)
People’s Bank Arena will be electric in a BIG East contest between UConn and, surprisingly, ahead of schedule, Villanova. Kevin Willard has the Wildcats playing with confidence. Still, I am not so sure they are ready to compete with the bigger and more experienced Huskies, who sport one of the best defenses under head coach Dan Hurley. Tarris Reed is a beast who will look to redirect the Wildcats shots. Alex Karaban and Solomon Ball will look to wear down Villanova. Look for the Huskies to eventually pull away with a flawless defensive performance on their way to a double-digit win. Take UConn.
12:30 PM EST
Rotation # 616
UConn -10.5 over Villanova (loss)
People’s Bank Arena will be electric in a BIG East contest between UConn and, surprisingly, ahead of schedule, Villanova. Kevin Willard has the Wildcats playing with confidence. Still, I am not so sure they are ready to compete with the bigger and more experienced Huskies, who sport one of the best defenses under head coach Dan Hurley. Tarris Reed is a beast who will look to redirect the Wildcats shots. Alex Karaban and Solomon Ball will look to wear down Villanova. Look for the Huskies to eventually pull away with a flawless defensive performance on their way to a double-digit win. Take UConn.
College Basketball
1:00 PM EST
Rotation # 624
Texas -3.5 over Georgia (win)
The Bulldogs are a well-conditioned team that plays at the most frenetic pace in college basketball. Sean Miller will need time to get the Longhorns program turned around, but he has a veteran roster with deep individual talent that could shock some of the better teams in conference play. Texas has the offensive skill set to stay in any game and could catch the Bulldogs napping in an early start time. The Longhorns have the physical size, with players like Dailyn Swain and Matas Vokietaitis, to get to the foul line and make life difficult for a younger, smaller Georgia team. It’s interesting to see the Longhorns as the decent-sized favorite today. Take Texas.
1:00 PM EST
Rotation # 624
Texas -3.5 over Georgia (win)
The Bulldogs are a well-conditioned team that plays at the most frenetic pace in college basketball. Sean Miller will need time to get the Longhorns program turned around, but he has a veteran roster with deep individual talent that could shock some of the better teams in conference play. Texas has the offensive skill set to stay in any game and could catch the Bulldogs napping in an early start time. The Longhorns have the physical size, with players like Dailyn Swain and Matas Vokietaitis, to get to the foul line and make life difficult for a younger, smaller Georgia team. It’s interesting to see the Longhorns as the decent-sized favorite today. Take Texas.