We made it to the weekend! Friday 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 31st, 2025
Butler vs Georgetown Predictions
Thomas Sorber leads the Hoyas in points and rebounds
Best Bets: Butler/Georgetown Under 140 (-110) Bovada
Two Big East teams go head to head tonight, and we are backing some defense in this game. Both teams’ defenses are much better than their offenses, and I plan on that leading this game tonight.
The Hoyas rank 31st overall defensively, 25th in eFG% defense, and 47th in turnovers forced. They are also Top 50 in FT Rate defense while ranking 347th offensively in that category, meaning there aren’t many free throws in games involving Georgetown. They rank nearly 200 in pace and the visitors are just as slow.
Butler is actually 207th in possessions per game and is 3rd in FT Rate defense. While they aren’t as solid defensively as Georgetown, they can hold their own and we’d rather talk about their defense than offense. Ultimately, this slow paced game should be enough to keep these defensive minded teams under the total.
Mt Saint Mary’s vs Merrimack Predictions
Budd Clark and Merrimack host Mount Saint Mary’s today
Best Bets: MSM/Merrimack Under 132.5 (-106) BetOnline
Once again, it’s a Merrimack under.
Merrimack ranks 311th in pace, dropping all the way to 350 on their home court. This defensive team has no problem playing slow and beating their opponents with defense. The Warriors are 63rd overall defensively, which is incredible for a team of their size. They are 31st in eFG% defense, 40th in turnovers and 21st in turnovers forced. Their defense has held it’s last three opponents to 54, 37, and 58 points.
While they struggle to get to the free throw line offensively and give up plenty of boards, I trust the Warriors to handle business against a very inferior Mount Saint Mary’s team.
While Mount Saint Mary’s likes to play faster, they won’t be able to control the pace of the game with Budd Clark leading Merrimack’s offense. The Mountaineers are 340th in overall offensive efficiency, 266th in eFG% and 339th in turnovers. I see Merrimack forcing plenty of turnovers on defense, only to use up the entire shot clock on the other end of the floor. Mount Saint Mary’s has lost four straight games and I don’t see them putting up enough points tonight to push this game over.
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