January 12, 2025 at 05:05 PM EST
This week in the CBB will conclude with 20 games, and here we’re focusing on the top 25 teams, so make sure to check out the College Basketball Picks for Sunday 1/12/2025.
Michigan State vs Northwestern Prediction 1/12/25 College Basketball Picks
Michigan State at Northwestern at noon ET
The Michigan State Spartans have achieved a record of 13-2 this season following their recent victory over Washington, with a final score of 88-54. The Spartans dominated the first half, leading 42-13, and continued their strong performance by scoring an additional 46 points in the second half. In this decisive win, Michigan State recorded a shooting percentage of 52.5% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc, and an impressive 94.4% from the free-throw line. Jaden Akins was the standout player for Michigan State, contributing 20 points and three rebounds, while Jeremy Fears Jr. supported the team with 12 points and 10 assists.
After their latest game against Purdue, in which they lost 79-61, the Northwestern Wildcats have a season record of 10-5. The team faced a challenging first half, ending with a score of 41-18 against them, but they rebounded in the second half to score 43 points. The Wildcats’ overall shooting performance included 38.3% from the field, 28% from three-point territory, and 66.7% from the free-throw line. Angelo Ciaravino was the leading scorer for Northwestern with 19 points and four rebounds, while Brooks Barnhizer added 11 points and secured eight rebounds.
The Pick:
Michigan State has distinguished itself as one of the top teams in the country in recent weeks, having convincingly defeated Washington and earned a hard-fought victory on the road against Ohio State in their last two contests. The Spartans boast a shooting percentage of 47.7% from the field and are scoring more than 81 points per game this season. Although winning on the road in conference play is inherently challenging, this Michigan State team is currently exhibiting exceptional performance. Back the Spartans for a victory.
Nebraska vs Purdue Prediction 1/12/25 College Basketball Picks
Nebraska at Purdue at noon ET
In their latest game, Nebraska encountered the Iowa Hawkeyes, and their performance did not meet their aspirations. The team scored 87 points, but their defense surrendered 97 points, leading to their defeat. Brice Williams stood out with a notable performance, recording 28 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Although Nebraska achieved a shooting percentage of 46.5 from the field, their defensive lapses were a significant factor in the loss. Presently, Nebraska averages 77.5 points per game while allowing 66.7 points. Their offensive ranking is 1233rd in the league, while their defense is positioned at 84th.
In their most recent matchup with Rutgers, Purdue allowed just 50 points, securing an 18-point victory. The team achieved a shooting percentage of 50 percent from the field, in contrast to Rutgers’ 32.7 percent. Guard Braden Smith delivered an impressive performance, contributing 16 points, 14 rebounds, and three assists. For the season, Purdue averages 76.8 points per game, while their defense concedes an average of 68.6 points. The offense is currently ranked 139th in the league, whereas the defense holds a ranking of 103rd.
The Pick:
In the past few games, Purdue has demonstrated enhanced defensive efforts, yet they have not achieved an elite status, and their defensive performance is below their typical standards. The Nebraska offense features numerous playmakers, such as Brice Williams, which will likely prove to be a critical advantage. With scoring potential distributed across the court, Nebraska is poised to secure a victory in this contest. It is recommended to back Nebraska against the spread.
Washington vs Michigan Prediction 1/12/25 College Basketball Picks
Washington at Michigan at 2 PM ET
The Washington Huskies have recorded 10 victories and 6 losses this season, placing them 16th in the Big 10 rankings. They recently faced a setback, losing to Michigan State with a score of 54-88. The Huskies’ performance against the spread is 8-7, and they have a 7-8 record concerning over/under bets, while their road performance remains unremarkable at 0-3. Great Osobor stands out as the team’s leading scorer, averaging 13.8 points per game, and he also leads in rebounds with an average of 8.4. Tyler Harris adds to the team’s scoring with an average of 12.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
This season, the Michigan Wolverines boast a record of 12-3, positioning them in second place in the Big Ten standings. They recently secured a 94-75 victory over UCLA. Against the spread, Michigan has a record of 10-5 and an impressive 78-7 in over/under, alongside a flawless home record of 7-0. Vladislav Goldin is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 15.2 points and 5.8 rebounds, while Tre Donaldson contributes with 13.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and a team-leading 4.1 assists.
The Pick:
The Wolverines excel in both offensive and defensive performance, scoring an average of 11.6 points more than the Huskies while allowing 2.9 points fewer. This season, Michigan is winning by an average margin of 17 points, in contrast to Washington’s average of only 2.5 points. Both teams have been successful in covering the spread recently, with records of 4-0 and 3-1 against the spread in their last four games. Furthermore, they have engaged in several high-scoring matches, achieving a combined total of 12-3 to the over in their last 15 games. I foresee another high-scoring contest in this matchup, so I suggest taking the Over.
West Virginia vs Colorado Prediction 1/12/25 College Basketball Picks
West Virginia at Colorado at 3 PM ET
The West Virginia Mountaineers currently hold an 11-3 record for the season, placing them in fourth position within the Big 12 Conference. Following a recent defeat to Arizona, with a score of 56-75, the Mountaineers have demonstrated a performance of 8-6 against the spread and 4-9-2 in over/under betting, alongside a 1-1 record in away games. Leading the team in scoring is Javon Small, who averages 19.4 points, 5.4 rebounds, and a team-high 4.9 assists per game. Additionally, Tucker DeVries contributes 14.9 points and 4.9 rebounds.
The Colorado Buffaloes have compiled a 9-5 record this season, placing them 15th in the Big 12 standings. They recently faced a setback, losing to UCF by a score of 74-75. The team has a balanced performance against the spread, with a record of 7-7, and a 6-7-1 record in over/under betting. Their home-court advantage is evident, as they have achieved an 8-1 record at home. Julian Hammond stands out as the top scorer for Colorado, averaging 13.6 points per game and leading the team with 3.6 assists. Meanwhile, Elijah Malone contributes with an average of 10.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.
The Pick:
Colorado is currently winning by an average margin of 4.4 points this season, while West Virginia is performing even better with an average of 10.8 points. The Mountaineers have been in excellent form lately, securing 7 victories in their last 8 games, although they have only managed a 2-3 record against the spread. Meanwhile, the Buffaloes are struggling, having suffered three consecutive losses. Both teams have recently engaged in lower-scoring games, evidenced by their combined record of 10-3-1 to the under in the last 14 games. This trend is expected to continue, suggesting that betting on the Under may be wise.
Oregon vs Penn State Prediction 1/12/25 College Basketball Picks
Oregon at Penn State at 4 PM ET
During the game against Ohio State on Thursday, Oregon managed to secure a close victory. At halftime, the Ducks led with a score of 32-27, and they surged ahead with a 46-39 run in the second half, ultimately winning 73-71. Jackson Shelstad was a standout performer, scoring 24 points along with three assists, two steals, and two rebounds. Nate Bittle contributed significantly as well, with 21 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and one steal, while Keeshawn Barthelemy provided valuable support off the bench with seven points and four rebounds in 25 minutes of play.
In their game against Illinois on Wednesday, the Nittany Lions encountered a tough first half, ending with a 45-21 deficit. The situation did not improve in the second half, where they faced a 46-31 shortfall, leading to a lopsided final score of 91-52. Nick Kern emerged as the leading scorer with 13 points, along with five rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Zach Hicks was the only other player to achieve double-digit scoring, finishing with 11 points, seven rebounds, and two steals. Additionally, Jahvin Carter contributed seven points and one rebound in 23 minutes off the bench.
The Pick:
Following a difficult game against a challenging Illinois team, the Nittany Lions are in need of a strong rebound performance. In that matchup, Penn State struggled offensively, shooting just 30.8 percent from the field and a mere 16.7 percent (2-of-12) from three-point territory. They were also dominated on the boards, with a rebounding deficit of 57-32 (including 19-6 in offensive rebounds), and they turned the ball over 14 times, resulting in 11 points for the Illini. However, it is worth noting that prior to this loss, Penn State had consistently scored 71 or more points in eight consecutive games, achieving a 6-2 record. Oregon, on the other hand, has also reached 71 or more points in their last seven games, with a 5-2 record. To keep pace in this upcoming contest, Penn State will need to ramp up its offensive efforts, which appears achievable at home.