College Basketball Best Bets: Fade the Storm | January 27, 2024

The weekend is finally here, time to enjoy it with some college hoops. Here is what I am riding with on this beautiful Saturday.

🏀TODAY’S GAMES TO WATCH🏀 pic.twitter.com/dwmiHvw9oI

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) January 27, 2024

Write Up Transparency

Be sure to follow me on X/Twitter @C_marchio2 to get my full card every day!

Let’s check in on how I have been doing betting on college hoops since joining Betting News.

11-9 (55%)

(As of January 27, 2024)

Missouri vs South Carolina Predictions

Matchup Information – College Basketball

Venue & Location: Colonial Life Arena – Columbia, SC
Date: Saturday, January 27, 2024
Tip Off: 1:00pm Eastern
Broadcast: SEC Network

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of Bovada: One of the leaders in the sports betting market!

Spread

Missouri: (+6.5) (-110)
South Carolina: (-6.5) (-110)

Total

Over: 135.5 (-110)
Under: 135.5 (-110)

Moneyline

Missouri: (+215)
South Carolina: (-260)

The Pick: Missouri (+6.5) (-110) Get These Odds & Sign Up Bonus @ Bovada

The Stank

It feels like forever since I placed a bet on the Missouri Tigers. A team that I held near and dear to my heart last season. A year later, they are a completely different team than they were a year ago, but that does not matter. They are a system play in this situation and have one job this weekend: to rain on the Gamecocks’ parade after upsetting #6 Kentucky at home on Tuesday.

⛈️Fade the Storm⛈️

Missouri on Saturday pic.twitter.com/bvXNUAfvnY

— Colby Marchio (@ColbyMBets) January 24, 2024

Missouri has been battle-tested on the road, playing six top-100 schools. Against those schools, their defense has stepped up tremendously, ranking in the top 50 in effective field goal defense and turnover percentage.

Overall, offensively, they are very effective on the inside, protect the ball very well, and knock down their free throws. What more can you ask for from college kids?

According to Haslametrics, the Tigers have the advantage in consistency: “Missouri is one of the NCAA’s more consistent teams, ranking 90th nationally in consistency. South Carolina rates more in the middle of the pack.” On top of that, the Tigers have also played some of their best ball on the road this season, giving them the away/home court advantage.

If Dennis Gates can get his boys to play their ball, shut down the Gamecocks’ three-point game, and force turnovers. They should have no problem covering this number.

Concerns: Losing the rebound battle. Missouri struggles rebounding on both ends of the ball. If they can get after those second chance opportunities, while shutting down South Carolina’s chances. We should be good.

Arizona State vs Oregon State Predictions

Matchup Information – College Basketball

Venue & Location: Gill Coliseum -Corvallis, OR
Date: Saturday, January 27, 2024
Tip Off: 7:00pm Eastern
Broadcast: Pac-12 Network

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of Bovada: One of the leaders in the sports betting market!

Spread

Arizona State: (-2.o) (-110)
Oregon State: (+2.0) (-110)

Total

Over: 137.0 (-110)
Under: 1357.0 (-110)

Moneyline

Arizona State: (-130)
Oregon State: (+110)

The Pick: Arizona State (-2.0) (-110) Get These Odds & Sign Up Bonus @ Bovada

The Stank

On Thursday night, after doing what some would say was the impossible, the Oregon State Beavers rebutted with, “Why not us?” and upset #9 Arizona as 18-point underdogs. The court was pure madness after the insane game-winning three at the buzzer.

Sorry, I’m late

⛈️Fade the Storm⛈️

Arizona State tomorrow pic.twitter.com/ml0h4mCiut

— Colby Marchio (@ColbyMBets) January 26, 2024

While one team is riding high after an enormous win, the other is in the dumps, losing three of their last five (2-3 ATS). On top of that, they are coming off a 19-point loss to Oregon on Thursday in Eugene. This would be the perfect get-right spot for the Arizona State Devils to close their two-game road trip.

The Devils should be able to bounce back against the Beavers, as their production stays roughly the same on the road. They still have an excellent defense that is top 100 in shot blocking. Bobby Hurley’s boy are one of the most disciplined teams in the country, as they rarely get into foul trouble (26th in Free Throw Rate Defense).

Both teams have had their fair share of tough opponents, but Arizona State has easily had the tougher journey. Facing 12 top 100 schools according to Bart Torvik’s rankings. Their most notable wins came against Colorado, Utah, SMU, and San Francisco.

A major key for Arizona State in this game will be forcing turnovers. Oregon State does not protect the ball well. They have the 17th-worst turnover percentage at home this season. They should be golden if the Devils’ top-50 defense can hold the Beavers from having another successful night shooting.

Shocks up! They say that right? They have to.

Concerns: The Beavers’ three-point shooting is excellent at home, and the Devils struggle to defend the deep ball. However, they should come out on top if they can’t limit Oregon State to their threes.