Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions: MLK Day Hoops

Nate Hornung

Written by: Nate Hornung

Published: Mon Jan 19, 2026, 10:50 am ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

Riley Fox averages 13.3 points per game for Yale, shooting over 40% from deep - NCAA Basketball Picks

ncaab

The biggest college football game of the year happens tonight in Miami, but prior to that showdown we are blessed with plenty of NCAA Basketball spread out throughout the day. We've got college hoops on our screens from 11:00 a.m. eastern all the way through the end of the night, so let's find out what picks our CBB experts have found today.

We are trying to stay afloat this CBB season so far.

  • NCAA Basketball YTD
  • 107-102 (51.2%)
  • -0.52u
  • Average Odds: -106

But we've had plenty of success to start the new year.

  • NCAA Basketball 2026
  • 33-25 (56.9%)
  • +5.11u

Let's keep building the rest of the season.

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

4.9/5 Review Rating
Bonus & Benefits
Up to $1,250 + 50 Free Slots Spins
See our review »
$1,250 Welcome Bonus
Bet Live on Your Favorite Sports
Earn More with Rebel Rewards!
Play Now & Claim Bonus »

Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions January 19

Columbia Lions vs. Yale Bulldogs NCAA Basketball Picks

Can Yale put up 81 points tonight at home against the Columbia Lions? NCAA Basketball Picks

Can Yale put up 81 points tonight at home against the Columbia Lions?

Best Bet: Yale Team Total Over 80.5 (-120) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

Back the Yale Bulldogs to score plenty at home against an inferior Ivy League team. Year after year, Yale is the super team in this conference, asserting their dominance all season long and sometimes even turning it into an NCAA Tournament upset in the Round of 64 of March Madness. They've been playing great basketball so far, and sit at 13-3 on the season, having already dropped one in the Ivy League. They won't let it happen again.

Their offense is crazy efficient, ranking top 40 overall, top 30 in eFG% and top 12 at taking care of the basketball. They do a very good job at keeping their opponents off the free throw line, especially at home and they are top 75 at crashing the offensive glass and earning trips to the charity stripe in their own gym. Plus they shoot over 45% from deep, ranking third in the country at home. Despite the slower pace, they should have no problem putting the ball in the hoop.

Columbia significantly struggles to take care of the ball and force turnovers of their own, ranking bottom 35 in both categories. On the road, they are outside the top 115 in free throw rate defense, and they allow their hosts to shoot 34% from deep, ranking north of 150 in opponent 3P% and outside the top 100 in 3P Rate defense. Simply put, Yale is at home with a much better offense and Columbia just went to overtime against Brown on the road just two days ago.

I doubt they have the legs to slow down the Bulldogs' offense in this game.

Montana State Bobcats vs. Northern Colorado Bears NCAA Basketball Picks

Quinn Denker leads the Bears with 18.1 points per game and 6.9 assist, adding 4.1 boards as well - NCAA Basketball Picks

Quinn Denker leads the Bears with 18.1 points per game and 6.9 assist, adding 4.1 boards as well

Best Bet: Northern Colorado ML (-125) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

The Bears are slipping right now after a great start to the season, but this game is the perfect "get right spot". Prepare yourselves for all the cliches in this write up, cause we have plenty that fit the bill.

These two teams already played in Bozeman, where the Bobcats were 2.5 point favorites and ended up winning by 14. At the time of that game, Montana State was just 6-7 on the season, while Northern Colorado was 10-3 and coming off a huge upset win over the Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder. I believed that line was telling, thinking the Bobcats should not have been favored but backed them anyways, and it ended up working out.

Tonight, in this "revenge spot at home", I think we have another telling line. Hopefully my tinfoil hat isn't screwed on too tight.

Both teams are currently 11-8 on the year, but Montana State is 4-1 in Big Sky play while Northern Colorado is 1-5. Since their earlier meeting, the Bobcats have won three out of four, while the Bears have dropped four of their last five. Why the heck would they be favored in this game after already losing to this team by 14? Because they are winning.

The Bobcats are coming off a win over Montana, their biggest conference rival. Northern Colorado has lost their last three games by a combined 12 points. Tonight at home, I see them putting it all together and earning a tough win in front of their home crowd.

Still Didn't Get Your NCAA Basketball Fix?

Here at Betting News, we offer Free Expert Picks for every major sports league. We also host daily streams on our Twitch Channel with our best bets, as well as sweat out games on Playback! Be sure to tune into everything we have going on at our Youtube, TikTok, and X pages as well, and follow my personal twitter @Shaggy_Bets for my full daily card.

Get FREE Picks and Props Weekly

Sign up for
THE WEEKENDER NEWSLETTER

Check Out All of Our Betting Resources at Betting News

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.

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.