Picks for 1/31/26
College Basketball
2:00 PM EST
Rotation # 655
Ohio State +4.5 over Wisconsin (loss)
Wisconsin had an injury scare to forward Aleksas Bieliauskas the other night as he finished the game on the bench in a walking boot. Ohio State has big-bodied players in its lineup, so the Badgers will need every big man possible to try to slow them down, or they will get pushed around. The Buckeyes have a few injuries of their own, but they will be tough to slow down with Bruce Thornton leading the way on offense and his ability to dish the ball. Look for Devin Royal to have a big game on the glass and for the Buckeyes to be in striking distance of an outright road victory in the final minutes. Take Ohio State.
2:00 PM EST
Rotation # 655
Ohio State +4.5 over Wisconsin (loss)
Wisconsin had an injury scare to forward Aleksas Bieliauskas the other night as he finished the game on the bench in a walking boot. Ohio State has big-bodied players in its lineup, so the Badgers will need every big man possible to try to slow them down, or they will get pushed around. The Buckeyes have a few injuries of their own, but they will be tough to slow down with Bruce Thornton leading the way on offense and his ability to dish the ball. Look for Devin Royal to have a big game on the glass and for the Buckeyes to be in striking distance of an outright road victory in the final minutes. Take Ohio State.
College Basketball
4:00 PM EST
Rotation # 685
Baylor +2.5 over West Virginia (win)
Both teams had identical 10-10 conference records a season ago, and both underwent complete overhauls by hitting the transfer portal. Baylor head coach Scott Drew has the edge in his 23rd season with the Bears over first-year WVU head coach Ross Hodge. West Virginia is a good defensive team, but I question whether their slow-paced offense can keep up with the Bears. Baylor has played a tougher schedule to date and will be ready to play on the road in Morgantown. The Bears are a guard-heavy team led by Cameron Carr’s scoring, Obi Agbim’s playmaking, and Tounde Yessoufou’s defense. I don’t think the Mountaineers will keep up on offense. Take Baylor.
4:00 PM EST
Rotation # 685
Baylor +2.5 over West Virginia (win)
Both teams had identical 10-10 conference records a season ago, and both underwent complete overhauls by hitting the transfer portal. Baylor head coach Scott Drew has the edge in his 23rd season with the Bears over first-year WVU head coach Ross Hodge. West Virginia is a good defensive team, but I question whether their slow-paced offense can keep up with the Bears. Baylor has played a tougher schedule to date and will be ready to play on the road in Morgantown. The Bears are a guard-heavy team led by Cameron Carr’s scoring, Obi Agbim’s playmaking, and Tounde Yessoufou’s defense. I don’t think the Mountaineers will keep up on offense. Take Baylor.
College Basketball
6:00 PM EST
Rotation # 750
Syracuse -4.5 over Notre Dame (win)
The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame are still without the services of Markus Burton, who was the offensive leader in points, steals, and assists. Jalen Haralson has stepped up, but it’s hard for a below-average team to lose such a productive piece of the puzzle. The Orange have lost four straight and are in desperate need of getting back on track, and they won’t get a better opportunity at home against an Irish team that isn’t good on the road. Donnie Freeman should have a big game in the paint on the offensive and defensive ends. Naithan George needs to up the tempo and frustrate an Irish team that doesn’t like playing at a fast pace. Take Syracuse.
6:00 PM EST
Rotation # 750
Syracuse -4.5 over Notre Dame (win)
The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame are still without the services of Markus Burton, who was the offensive leader in points, steals, and assists. Jalen Haralson has stepped up, but it’s hard for a below-average team to lose such a productive piece of the puzzle. The Orange have lost four straight and are in desperate need of getting back on track, and they won’t get a better opportunity at home against an Irish team that isn’t good on the road. Donnie Freeman should have a big game in the paint on the offensive and defensive ends. Naithan George needs to up the tempo and frustrate an Irish team that doesn’t like playing at a fast pace. Take Syracuse.