Picks for 1/7/26
College Basketball
7:30 PM EST
Rotation # 709
Creighton +5.5 over Villanova (win)
Villanova is off to a hot start in the Kevin Willard era, as they are on a five-game win streak and trail only UConn in the BIG East. Creighton has played a tough schedule to start the year and will always be competitive in league play under coach Greg McDermott. Iowa transfer Josh Dix leads the team in scoring, and his old Hawkeyes teammate Owen Freeman has been great on the glass. The Blue Jays are getting a generous amount of points against a team that hasn’t played together for that long and is still trying to master the Kevin Willard system. Look for the Blue Jays to stick around. Take Creighton.
7:30 PM EST
Rotation # 709
Creighton +5.5 over Villanova (win)
Villanova is off to a hot start in the Kevin Willard era, as they are on a five-game win streak and trail only UConn in the BIG East. Creighton has played a tough schedule to start the year and will always be competitive in league play under coach Greg McDermott. Iowa transfer Josh Dix leads the team in scoring, and his old Hawkeyes teammate Owen Freeman has been great on the glass. The Blue Jays are getting a generous amount of points against a team that hasn’t played together for that long and is still trying to master the Kevin Willard system. Look for the Blue Jays to stick around. Take Creighton.
College Basketball
8:00 PM EST
Rotation # 719
Iowa State -4.5 over Baylor (win)
Baylor is 8-0 on their home court and are a good offensive team that will need every bit of production against a superior Cyclones program. Bears head coach Scott Drew reloaded this year, bringing in a new batch of transfers as none of the former team remain. Iowa State should make enough defensive stops to gain control. The Cyclones have more team camaraderie as Tamin Lipsey, Milan Momcilovic, and Joshua Jefferson have played together for a long time. Virginia transfer Blake Buchanan has been outstanding on the boards and as the enforcer in the paint. The Bears’ defense is still a work in progress. Take Iowa State.
8:00 PM EST
Rotation # 719
Iowa State -4.5 over Baylor (win)
Baylor is 8-0 on their home court and are a good offensive team that will need every bit of production against a superior Cyclones program. Bears head coach Scott Drew reloaded this year, bringing in a new batch of transfers as none of the former team remain. Iowa State should make enough defensive stops to gain control. The Cyclones have more team camaraderie as Tamin Lipsey, Milan Momcilovic, and Joshua Jefferson have played together for a long time. Virginia transfer Blake Buchanan has been outstanding on the boards and as the enforcer in the paint. The Bears’ defense is still a work in progress. Take Iowa State.
College Basketball
9:00 PM EST
Rotation # 749
Arkansas -3.5 over Ole Miss (win)
Arkansas is off to a nice start this season and will need to show they can win on the road if they want to be one of the better teams in the SEC. I am not sure Ole Miss will be able to play at the slow tempo they are comfortable with against a rapid-paced Razorback team. I don’t think their offense is good enough yet to keep up. Five-star freshman Darius Acuff is already the best player on the floor, outstanding at finding open teammates and as a pure scorer. Trevon Brazile leads his team in rebounding yet again this year, and his presence around the rim makes it challenging for opponents to score. Look for the Razorbacks to use their size and speed to get out to a quick start, and for the Rebels to make mistakes trying to match the pace they are not used to. Take Arkansas.
9:00 PM EST
Rotation # 749
Arkansas -3.5 over Ole Miss (win)
Arkansas is off to a nice start this season and will need to show they can win on the road if they want to be one of the better teams in the SEC. I am not sure Ole Miss will be able to play at the slow tempo they are comfortable with against a rapid-paced Razorback team. I don’t think their offense is good enough yet to keep up. Five-star freshman Darius Acuff is already the best player on the floor, outstanding at finding open teammates and as a pure scorer. Trevon Brazile leads his team in rebounding yet again this year, and his presence around the rim makes it challenging for opponents to score. Look for the Razorbacks to use their size and speed to get out to a quick start, and for the Rebels to make mistakes trying to match the pace they are not used to. Take Arkansas.