NCAA Basketball Predictions, Odds & Best Bets: Friday Hoops (1/24)

Sure, we are gearing up for a huge Saturday of NCAA Basketball action. However there are still a few games on Friday Night and some exciting matchups to say the least, so we found our best bets to share with you before we get into the wild weekend.

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 24th, 2025

#21 Michigan vs #11 Purdue Predictions

Best Bets: Purdue ML (-184) BetOnline

Before you get up in arms about this price, just know we are pairing it for a two team parlay. The Wolverines went toe to toe with Northwestern last Sunday and lost in OT at Minnesota a week ago. Tonight they face a tough Boilermakers team in Mackey Arena, and it will be hard to pull out a win. Michigan also hosts Penn State on Monday, so they have quite the quick turn around.

However, Purdue does not. They have a week until their next matchup against Indiana at home, and I believe they can disrupt Michigan’s offense by slowing things down. The Wolverines like to run, ranking 53rd overall in pace, but dropping off to 72nd on the road. They shoot the ball extremely well, but they give up tons of offensive rebounds and send their opponents to the free throw line fairly often. Michigan also struggles to take care of the ball and force turnovers of their own.

Purdue is coming off a home loss to Ohio State, where the Buckeyes shot lights out. It was one of the Boilermaker’s worst defensive outings this year, and I see them turning things on at home. Purdue ranks 296th in possessions per game, and are Top 55 in 3P% Defense and FT Rate Defense as well. They defend the perimeter well, keep their hands to themselves, and are the 4th most efficient offense on their own court. Not to mention 9th in eFG% as well.

This is a game I see Purdue winning in a bounce back spot as the Wolverines are caught looking ahead to their showdown on Monday.

Penn State vs Iowa Predictions

Best Bets: Iowa ML (-169) BetOnline

Once again, we are backing a short home favorite, but on their ML in a parlay.

The Hawkeyes are only betable at home, and thankfully that’s where they play Penn State tonight. Iowa is a very fast team (Top 20 in possessions per game), that has a Top 20 offense and ranks 5th in eFG%, but they don’t have much defense to show for it. However, they do a great job of not fouling their opponent and winning the turnover battle. The Hawkeyes are 13th in TO Rate offense while also ranking 54th in turnovers forced, and 23rd in FT Rate defense. They are on a three game losing skid, having just lost to Minnesota at home on Tuesday.

Sure, they turn around and go to Columbus on Monday, but Iowa can’t afford any look ahead spots. They are coming off their worst three point shooting night all season (3/21), where they normally shoot 40.4% at home ranking Top 15 in the nation. I expect them to rebound and improve that shooting percentage tonight.

As for Penn State, they are right behind the Hawkeyes in terms of pace, but their Top 50 offense disappears away from home. Penn State drops from 47th in offensive efficiency and 46th in eFG% to 86th and 137th in seven away/neutral games this year. It’s also worth mentioning that they do not have a Top 100 win away from home this year. The Nittany Lions have beaten Virginia Tech (142nd) and Fordham (237th) on neutral sites, while also beating Drexel (200th) on the road. That is their only true road win this year.

Penn State has lost to Clemson (36th) on a neutral floor, while losing at Rutgers (88th), Illinois (8th), and Michigan State (15th). Point being, they do not show up against good teams on the road, and that’s exactly what will happen tonight in Iowa City.

Best Bets: Purdue/Iowa ML Parlay (+146) BetOnline

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