NCAA Basketball Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (1/29)

Wednesday College Hoops are here , so let’s not waste any time and dive into our NCAA Basketball best bets!

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 29th, 2025

Presbyterian vs Winthrop Predictions

Best Bets: Winthrop TT Over 77.5 (-110) Bovada

My bread and butter. No-name college basketball.

Give me Winthrop to score plenty tonight. For starters, they have cleared this number in 9/10 home games this year, including scoring 95+ in their last 7 at home. The Eagles are the 4th fastest team in the nation, lead the country in getting to the free throw line, where they do so on over 60% of possessions at home. Not to mention, this team is Top 50 in eFG% offensively on their home court. Defensively, they aren’t all that, but the Blue Hose are nothing to worry about. Winthrop is back at home following two road losses, so this is as much of a “get right” game as I’ve ever seen.

Yes, the Presbyterian Blue Hose (not making that up) come to town losing 5 of their last 6 contests. This team plays slower, but speeds up to their competition, and defensively they make me want to puke. Presbyterian ranks 347th in overall efficiency and 306th in eFG% defense, plus they can’t defend the perimeter at all. The Eagles shoot 5% better from downtown at home than anywhere else, and tonight I see them having zero problem breaking 80 on the scorboard.

#6 Houston vs West Virginia Predictions

Best Bets: West Virginia +9 (-105) BetOnline

Read below to find out why Colby is backing the country roads to take him home in Morgantown tonight.

Check out our #6 Houston vs West Virginia Preview!

Navy vs Lehigh Predictions

Best Bets: Navy/Lehigh Under 138.5 (-110) BetOnline

A classic under for me. Lehigh is not only 11-6 to the under this season, but they just held their last opponent to 47 total points, shooting 0/22 from downtown. I don’t know if that continues tonight, however, Lehigh plays slow, they jump to 33rd in eFG% defense on their home court, and also rank 84th in offensive rebounds allowed.

However, they are 341st in offensive rebounds themselves, meaning although they don’t give up second chance points, they don’t get them either. Lehigh is also 22nd in 3P% defense, so I doubt Navy has much success from deep. Navy is on a two game winning streak, holding their opponents to a combined 100 points in those contests. The Midshipmen have learned that their offense isn’t anything sexy, but defensively they can compete with most on their schedule.

After coming off their two best defensive outings of the year, I see Navy going into this game with that same theme, winning this game with grittiness. Navy ranks 293rd in eFG% on offense away from home, but they win the rebounding battle on both ends of the court. Navy is north of 200 in pace, neither team will really dominate this game tempo-wise, but I do see a emphasis on the defensive side of the ball for both teams.

Omaha vs South Dakota Predictions

Best Bets: South Dakota +2 (-110) BetOnline

Wanna know why Colby is fading Omaha? Click that button below.

Check out our Omaha vs South Dakota Preview!

California vs SMU Predictions

Best Bets: California/SMU Over 150.5 (-110) BetOnline

SMU hosts California tonight. They are back at home, well rested, and get to stay home for the weekend. After getting beaten by 25 on their home floor against Louisville last week, they will certainly look to take down the visiting Golden Bears.

The Ponies jump from 60th to 31st in possessions per game at home, and their offense is a over’s dream. They rank 30th in overall efficiency, 45th in eFG%, 13th in offensive rebounds and 53rd in FT Rate. SMU cleans up the offensive glass and isn’t afraid of taking contact and getting to the stripe where they shoot 74%. Defensively, they aren’t much to write home about, but they do give up plenty of shots from beyond the arc.

California is on a three game winning streak, squeaking by games they probably shouldn’t have won. They beat NC State on the road but 3, took down Florida State by 9 and then barely beat Miami by 4 in overtime at home. They go to Texas before traveling back to Cali for the weekend, but I see them bringing their A-game tonight. The Golden Bears are 26th in offensive rebounds and 42nd in FT Rate offense, so I expect plenty of second chance points and free throw attempts from both sides tonight. Defensively, Cal drops off on the road, ranking 281st in eFG% and 302nd in turnovers forced.

Ultimately, the Mustangs will speed this game up and give both offenses enough possessions to clear this number.

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