Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions: Wednesday Hoops
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Wed Jan 21, 2026, 11:32 am ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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Wednesday brings us a total of… *quickly counts*… 54 games on the college hoops slate. Of course, our CBB experts had to dive in and find their favorite NCAA Basketball picks for today. Let's waste no time and see what they've got for hump day!
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Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions January 21
Rhode Island Rams vs. Richmond Spiders NCAA Basketball Picks
AJ Lopez leads the Spiders with 13 points per game while shooting over 41% from deep
Best Bet: Richmond ML (-135) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Back the Spiders with me tonight as short home favorites. They are coming off a road loss to the best team in the A-10, and now face an opponent much more their caliber. The Spiders shoot the ball well (top 75 in eFG%), they take care of the rock (top 40 in turnover percentage) and they win the free throw battle (top 85 in FT Rate offense and defense). While they don't get very many offensive rebounds, they don't leave points at the line and shoot an incredible 39.2% from deep, ranking top 11 in the country.
Defensively, they prevent offense rebounds, don't send teams to the line, and contest the perimeter. The Rams take way too many threes. They are top 100 in 3P Rate but north of 300 in 3P%, shooting less than 31% from beyond the arc. This team is also north of 300 (bottom 65) in turning over the ball and FT rate defense. At home, the Spiders should shoot tons of free throws, where they knock them down at a 75.4% clip. That could end up being the difference maker in a game where we might not see too many points.
Maryland Terrapins vs. #11 Illinois Fighting Illini NCAA Basketball Picks
Kylan Boswell will be out for a significant amount of time for the Illini
Best Bet: Illinois -18.5 (-115) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
The Illini will be without Kylan Boswell for a while, but this team is stacked and has enough talent to make up for that loss. Sure, the senior leader and defensive engine means a lot to this team, but Keaton Wagler is capable of handling the rock, and overall they are a matchup nightmare on both ends of the floor.
Now, Maryland is coming off their best offensive performance of the season, perhaps all time. The Terps scored 96 points while shooting 53% from beyond the arc (18/34). Diggy Coit led the way with 43 of his own, going 9/15 from deep, so we are certainly due for some regression as they head to the State Farm Center to face the Illini.
Illinois if very efficient on both sides of the ball, and the only thing they don't do well is forcing turnovers. However on the road, Maryland is bottom 30 in giving up the rock. The Terps are also north of 290 in eFG% on both sides of the ball, leading me to think Illinois can do whatever they please on offense. Sure, the Illini have to head to Mackey Arena on Saturday, but they need to use this game in order to prepare for life without Boswell, so I expect them to come fully focused.
East Carolina Pirates vs. Wichita State Shockers NCAA Basketball Picks
The Shockers are an incredible 6-3 ATS at home and 11-7 overall this season
Best Bet: Wichita State -11.5 (-118) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Shock the nation. Here we go again backing the Shockers. They are coming off an emotional overtime win on the road in South Florida as nine point underdogs, but they are very dominant at home, and I have little faith in the Pirates.
For starters, East Carolina is 0-7 straight up on the road this year, and 2-5 against the spread. The Shockers are 7-2 straight up at Charles Koch Arena and 6-3 against the spread in their own gym, not to mention they are 11-7 ATS so far this season overall. While the Shockers prefer to play a little slower, the Pirates may speed this thing up, giving the hosts even more chances to cover this number. They take care of the ball, contest their opponents' shots, and are one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the country.
As fast as ECU likes to play, they couldn't hit water if they fell out of a boat. They are bottom 30 overall offensively, and ninth worst in eFG% this season. The Shockers' defense will certainly help them cover this spread.
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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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