Picks for 1/25/25
College Basketball
4:00 PM EST
Rotation # 712
Butler -5.5 over DePaul (win)
It is good to see a team like DePaul playing decent basketball after last year’s disastrous 3-29 season. Conference play sets them back to the reality that the program needs much work. Chris Holtmann has done a great job in his first season as coach, but a lot of it was due to an extremely weak non-conference schedule. The Blue Demons are a team of all transfers and will struggle on the road. Butler’s Thad Matta is the more experienced coach, and he has the luxury of having two outstanding senior players, Pierre Brooks and Jahmyl Telfort. Patrick McCaffrey was an excellent transfer acquisition, as he can knock down many three-point shots. The Bulldogs should secure a big home win. Take Butler.
College Basketball
6:00 PM EST
Rotation # 759
Ole Miss +3 over Missouri (loss)
Missouri failed to win a game in conference play last season. The Tigers have looked good on paper this season as they played a weak non-conference schedule and, in conference play, faced weaker opponents on its home floor. That said, 14-0 to start the year at home is extremely impressive. Ole Miss is a better program, and Chris Beard is a better coach. The Rebels have played a more demanding schedule and play rock-solid defense. Sean Pedulla was an outstanding portal pick-up from Virginia Tech as he is their three-point specialist. The Rebels are a veteran team that won’t be intimidated on the road and will never let Missouri get hot on offense. Take Ole Miss.