NCAA Basketball Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (1/9)

Here we are, back again like we never left. I’ll admit a week in the sun was fantastic, but I was ready to be back and diving into all things college basketball as conference play really gets going. Let’s dive in to our best bets for the day.

For all of our Expert NCAA Basketball Picks, check out our page here. But for now, let’s get right into it!

Listed below are my College Hoops best bets for today, but be sure to get all of my picks on my Twitter (@Shaggy_Bets)

NCAA Basketball Best Bets – January 9th, 2025

#15 Oregon vs Ohio State Predictions

Best Bets: Oregon +3.5 (-110) BetOnline

Click the button below to check out why Colby is backing the Ducks on the road tonight.

Check out our #15 Oregon vs Ohio State Preview!

Vermont vs UMass Lowell Predictions

Best Bets: UMass Lowell -5.5 (-112) BetOnline

The River Hawks are going on an American East revenge tour tonight. The Vermont Catamounts have been on top of this conference forever, but this is their worst team in YEARS. Tonight at home, the River Hawks have a chance to take them out of their comfort zone and take down a rival.

They are on a 7 game winning streak, and are 7-0 at home this season. While they don’t cover the big numbers, they are 4-2 ATS in games with a single digit spread. They push the pace, ranking Top 50 nationally while Vermont does not, as they are Bottom 15 in the same stat. UMass Lowell is going to play very fast, control the tempo, and keep the Catamounts running. Offensively, Vermont only shoots free throws well, but they hardly ever get to the line! The River Hawks are Top 50 in both FT Rate on offense and defense, winning the charity stripe battle nearly every game. At home specifically, they are Top 12 in FT Rate defense while also ranking 40th in eFG% and 14th in FT%.

Give me the River Hawks to keep rolling and win this game taking down their conference rival at home.

VMI vs Samford Predictions

Best Bets: Samford -18 (-115) BetOnline

Do not be afraid of this big number, because the Bulldogs surely aren’t. They are 5-3 ATS as a double digit favorite and have covered four straight spreads on their home court, which they should do again tonight.

Samford is very fast, and will push the pace on offense. There will be tons of possessions in this game, as VMI is no slouch getting up and down the floor either. The Bulldogs are 36th overall offensively and 11th in eFG%. They are incredible at shooting from beyond the arc, ranking 14th in 3P Rate and 9th in 3P%, shooting an incredible 40% from deep as a team. VMI is simply not going to be able to stop the Bulldogs, or keep up offensively.

The visitors are 336th overall offensively and 337th defensively. They are also bottom 15 in eFG% on defense, and bottom 5 in 3P Rate defense. The Bulldogs might knock down 20+ threes tonight. They’ve made 10+ in 9 straight and 12/15 games this season. Our hosts will have ample opportunity to cover this number.

Portland vs San Francisco Predictions

Best Bets: Portland TT Under 63.5 (-120) Bovada

While I had thoughts of backing the Dons on the spread and the full game under, I decided to just fade the Pilots tonight on the road.

The Dons are at home and are very sound defensively. They’ve held all three teams ranked north of 220 to under this number (Portland ranks 319th), while also holding #119 Saint Louis and #133 Loyola Marymount under this number when they visited the Sobrato Center. The Dons are 9-0 at home, rank 193rd in pace, while boasting a 53rd ranked defense that is also 55th in offensive rebounds allowed. They hold their visitors to less than 27.5% from beyond the arc, and I don’t believe in the Pilots’ offense to score more than 60.

While Portland is slightly faster, they are 292nd in overall offensive efficiency, 271st in eFG%, 299th in TO Rate and Bottom 10 in Offensive Rebounding. They are going to have very minimal second chance points tonight, they do not get to the free throw line at all, and they shoot way too many threes for their overall shooting percentage. Portland is 244th in 3P% while they are Top 100 in 3P Rate. Give me the Dons’ defense to show out tonight.

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