Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions (1/5): Monday’s CBB

Nate Hornung

Written by: Nate Hornung

Published: Mon Jan 05, 2026, 2:40 pm ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

Can Pryce Sandfort and the Huskers advance to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history? Iowa Nebraska Picks

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Another week has rolled around and that means there are brand new rankings in the AP Top 25 poll, as well as some college hoops contests to wager on this evening. Arizona and Michigan were the only two teams receiving first place votes this week, and for good reason. Those two ball clubs are head and shoulders above the rest of the country at the moment. But let's take a look at our CBB expert's best bets for tonight and find what they've got as their favorite NCAA Basketball picks for Monday's matchups.

  • NCAA Basketball YTD
  • 81-79 (50.6%)
  • -2.29u
  • Average Odds: -105

While we are down a couple units this year, it's not from standard sides or totals. We are actually hitting 54.3% of our spreads (38-32) and 52.7% of our totals (29-26) going positive in both categories. However, regular moneylines and player props have brought our total down. Time to turn things around.

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Monday's best bets are below. Keep reading for the analysis.

Go check out what else I've got on my daily card, and view the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks.

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Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions January 5

#10 Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes NCAA Basketball Picks

Can Bruce Thornton lead the Buckeyes to a home win tonight against Nebraska? NCAA Basketball Picks

Can Bruce Thornton lead the Buckeyes to a home win tonight against Nebraska?

Best Bet: Nebraska/Ohio State Under 156 (-108) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

This total keeps ticking up, but it's a little too much for me, as I'll be backing the under between the Cornhuskers and Buckeyes in Columbus tonight. Nebraska has to come back down to Earth. They are 14-0 for the first time ever, and are in the AP Top 10 for the first time since 1996. But they are a short road underdog against an unranked home favorite. Could everyone's favorite College Hoops system play cash tonight?

While my friend, Colby Marchio, is on the Buckeyes (you can read about why here), I'll be sticking with the total. Neither of these teams are particularly fast, both coming in about middle of the pack in terms of possessions per game. But Ohio State certainly has reason to slow this thing down.

They are out manned and have less talent than the Cornhuskers, it's obvious to anyone with a pair of eyes. How do you combat that? You slow the game down and limit the offensive possessions Nebraska has. The Huskers are terrible at offensive rebounding and getting to the free throw line, meaning they shouldn't get too many points from the stripe or on second chances. As for both defenses, they lock down the perimeter. Both Nebraska and Ohio State rank top 45 in opponent 3P%, leading me to believe we get a low scoring contest tonight.

Yale Bulldogs vs. Brown Bears NCAA Basketball Picks

Back Yale on the road tonight in their first Ivy League contest - NCAA Basketball Picks

Back Yale on the road tonight in their first Ivy League contest

Best Bet: Yale -9 (-108) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

Back the Bulldogs with me on the road tonight. They face another Ivy League school in their first conference contest, and I think things could get ugly. Brown is just not good, plain and simple. They are 6-7 this season and rank north of 240 on Bart Torvik, while Yale is breaking the top 100. The hosts have no offense at all.

Brown is north of 325 in FT Rate and adjusted offensive efficiency, while coming in north of 275 in eFG% and turnover rate. They are also No. 222 in offensive rebounding. Not good at all. Yale is rock solid. Despite not playing all that fast, the Bulldogs are top 70 in FT Rate and offensive rebounds, top 25 in eFG% and overall efficiency, and are top 15 at taking care of the ball.

Yale has made their way through a tough non conference schedule with just two losses, and are coming off a loss to Alabama. This is the perfect spot for them to bounce back, earn a conference win to start their season, and tear through the entire Ivy League, which they seem to do year after year.

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Nate Hornung
Nate Hornung

Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.

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