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Free College Basketball Picks For Today, Sunday 1/19/2025

Pick details

MATCHUP
Where Event Location
Time 2025-01-19 17:05:00

2025-01-19 17:05:00

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This week in the CBB will end with an 11-game slate, and here you can take a look at the College Basketball Picks for Sunday 1/19/2025.

Nebraska vs Maryland Prediction 1/19/25 College Basketball Picks

Nebraska at Maryland at noon ET

During the Rutgers game on Thursday, the Cornhuskers returned from halftime facing a 40-37 deficit. Despite their efforts, Nebraska was unable to narrow the gap, maintaining a steady pace in the second half with a 45-45 run, ultimately resulting in a loss of 85-82. Brice Williams led the team in scoring with 21 points, complemented by four rebounds and three assists. Juwan Gary followed closely with 20 points, seven rebounds, and one assist, while Connor Essegian contributed 12 points from the bench.

In their Thursday matchup against Northwestern, the Terrapins entered the locker room trailing by a narrow margin of 38-37. Although Maryland succeeded in pushing the game into overtime, they ultimately fell short, losing 76-74. Julian Reese was the standout performer for the team, contributing 23 points and securing seven rebounds. Ja’Kobi Gillespie also made a significant impact, scoring 14 points while providing four assists and recording three steals. Additionally, Rodney Rice contributed to the scoring effort with 10 points and two rebounds.

The Pick:

Throughout the season, the Terrapins have maintained a strong offensive performance, scoring 69 points or more in every game to date. Conversely, Nebraska is coming off a difficult home loss to a robust Rutgers team. In that encounter, the Cornhuskers’ defense faltered, allowing 49.3 percent shooting from the field and 41.4 percent (12-of-29) from beyond the arc. Nebraska has not surpassed 69 points in their last four outings, resulting in a 1-3 record, and they have allowed 85 or more points in three straight games. If Maryland can effectively leverage this opportunity, they should be able to score freely. Back Maryland to cover.

Illinois vs Michigan State Prediction 1/19/25 College Basketball Picks

Illinois at Michigan State at noon ET

The Illinois Fighting Illini currently hold a record of 13 wins and 4 losses this season, placing them in 4th position within the Big 10 Conference. They recently achieved a decisive victory against Indiana, winning 94-69. The Fighting Illini have a record of 9 wins, 7 losses, and 1 push against the spread, and they stand at 10 wins and 7 losses in over/under betting, with a commendable 3-1 record in away games. Leading the team in scoring is Kasparas Jakucionis, who averages 16.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and a team-high 5.4 assists per game, while Tomislav Ivisic contributes 13 points and a team-leading 8.8 rebounds.

This season, the Michigan State Spartans boast an impressive record of 15 wins and 2 losses, securing the top position in the Big Ten standings. They are coming off a recent victory against Penn State, where they won 90-85. Against the spread, the Spartans have an 11-6 record, while their over/under record stands at 7-10. They have also maintained an unblemished home record of 9-0. Jaden Akins leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.2 points and 3.9 rebounds per game, with Jase Richardson providing additional support with 9.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game.

The Pick:

Both teams have shown remarkable skill this season, winning by averages of 20 and 14.7 points per game. They are both entering this game with significant momentum; the Spartans have won their last 10 matches and have an 8-2 record against the spread, while the Fighting Illini have triumphed in 6 of their last 7 games, albeit with a 4-5-1 record against the spread. The Spartans will be playing at home, where they have not lost in 9 games, and considering their current form, I predict they will handle the situation effectively today. It is wise to back the Michigan State Spartans and lay the points at home.

Rice vs Florida Atlantic Prediction 1/19/25 College Basketball Picks

Rice at FAU at 1 PM ET

In their latest contest against UTSA, Rice faced a loss, ending the game at 94-90. They entered halftime behind, with a score of 51-41. Although they attempted to close the gap in the second half, their efforts fell short. Trae Broadnax was a standout player, recording 19 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Presently, Rice’s overall record stands at 11-7, with an 8-9 record against the spread. This season, the team averages 70.2 points per game, while their defense concedes an average of 67.6 points. Offensively, they are positioned 244th in the league, while their defense ranks 77th.

In their recent game against Tulane, FAU experienced a setback, losing by a score of 80-65. The team recorded a field goal percentage of 40.7 and a three-point shooting percentage of 23.1. Kaleb Glenn had a notable outing, contributing 13 points, four rebounds, and two assists. Currently, Florida Atlantic holds a record of 9-9 and has performed at a 7-10 rate against the spread. This season, the team averages 81 points per game, while their defense allows 77.7 points per game. They rank 50th in offensive performance within the league, while their defensive ranking is considerably lower at 319th.

The Pick:

While FAU has the ability to put points on the board, their defense has consistently been problematic this season, conceding an average of 77.7 points per game. This defensive frailty is expected to pose considerable challenges in the forthcoming game. FAU is anticipated to struggle offensively, making it difficult for them to keep pace, which will likely result in a win for Rice. It is recommended to back Rice against the spread.

Tulane vs Temple Prediction 1/19/25 College Basketball Picks

Tulane at Temple at 1 PM ET

The Tulane Green Wave currently holds a record of 10-8 following their recent victory over FAU, which concluded with a score of 80-65. In this match, the Green Wave achieved a shooting percentage of 46.3% from the field, 26.9% from beyond the arc, and 85.2% from the free-throw line. Kaleb Banks was the standout performer for Tulane, contributing 25 points and securing four rebounds, while Rowan Brumbaugh supported the effort with 20 points and two assists.

This season, the Temple Owls have recorded an 11-6 standing after their latest triumph against Memphis, finishing the game with an 88-81 scoreline. The Owls demonstrated shooting proficiency, achieving 46.8% from the field, 40.9% on three-point attempts, and 61.8% from the free-throw line. Jamal Mashburn Jr. was instrumental in the victory, scoring 21 points and providing four assists, while Quante Berry contributed significantly with 19 points and three assists.

The Pick:

Tulane has triumphed in five of their last six games, shooting 44.1% from the field and averaging 76.2 points per game. The Green Wave have scored 80 points or more in three of their last five contests, although they did face a 12-point defeat in their most recent away game against UAB. Despite the close competition between these two teams, I am choosing to back Temple, as they are playing at home and have the advantage of Mashburn Jr. Go with the Owls for this matchup.

Youngstown State vs Green Bay Prediction 1/19/25 College Basketball Picks

Youngstown State at Green Bay at 1 PM ET

The Youngstown State Penguins approach this contest seeking to rebound from a 79-64 setback against Milwaukee, resulting in a season record of 11-6. EJ Farmer stands out as the top scorer for the Penguins, averaging 14.4 points per game and 3.4 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Nico Galette provides valuable support with 11.7 points per game, leading the team in rebounds with 6.1 per game and assists with 2.8 per game, marking him as the only other player to achieve double-digit scoring for Youngstown State this season.

The Green Bay Phoenix enter this matchup seeking to recover from a recent defeat, having lost to Robert Morris with a score of 89-67, which brings their season record to 2-17. Marcus Hall stands out as the sole active player for Green Bay averaging double digits in scoring, contributing 13.3 points per game, along with 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Jeremiah Johnson follows with an average of 8.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Additionally, Preston Ruedinger has recorded 7.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, while also leading the team in assists with an average of 3.2 per game.

The Pick:

Green Bay has experienced a notable downturn, especially considering the impact Sundance Wicks had on the team before moving to Wyoming. The team has suffered considerable losses against a range of opponents, prompting me to predict that Youngstown State will extend this pattern with a strong win. I am inclined to back the Penguins to secure the points.

Northwestern vs Michigan Prediction 1/19/25 College Basketball Picks

Northwestern at Michigan at 2 PM ET

The Northwestern Wildcats have achieved an 11-6 record this season, placing them 14th in the Big Ten Conference. They recently secured a victory over Maryland, winning 76-74. The team has a 9-8 record against the spread and a 10-6-1 record in over/under betting, but they have not yet won a game on the road, with a 0-4 record. Nick Martinelli leads the Wildcats in scoring, averaging 20 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, while Brooks Barnhizer contributes 18.2 points and a team-high 9.4 rebounds.

The Michigan Wolverines currently hold a record of 13 wins and 4 losses this season, placing them in third position within the Big Ten Conference. Following a recent defeat to Minnesota with a score of 81-84, the Wolverines have demonstrated a performance of 11 wins and 6 losses against the spread, alongside a 10-7 record in over/under betting. Notably, they remain undefeated at home with an impressive 8-0 record. Leading the team in scoring is Vladislav Goldin, who averages 15.6 points and 6 rebounds per game, while Danny Wolf contributes 13 points, 4.1 assists, and a team-high of 10.1 rebounds per game.

The Pick:

Michigan is rightly considered the favorite due to its stronger record and outstanding offensive performance, including high shooting percentages. The Wolverines remain undefeated at home this season and have a commendable 5-1 record against the spread over their last six games. In contrast, the Wildcats have not won a game on the road and have a 1-3 record in their last four outings, along with a 1-2 record against the spread. Thus, I believe the odds favor the home team. Back the Michigan Wolverines and lay the points at home.

La Salle vs Massachusetts Prediction 1/19/25 College Basketball Picks

La Salle at UMass at 2 PM ET

The La Salle Explorers emerged victorious against St. Bonaventure and Davidson. They are currently averaging 77.8 points per game with a shooting percentage of 43.4, while their opponents are scoring an average of 75 points on 45.1 percent shooting. Corey McKeithan is averaging 16.3 points and 3 rebounds, and Daeshon Shepherd is contributing with 11.7 points and 4 rebounds per game.

The UMass Minutemen suffered a setback against George Mason but bounced back with a win against Fordham. The team is currently averaging 73.5 points per game with a shooting percentage of 41.8, while they concede an average of 74.9 points, also shooting at 41.8 percent. Rahsool Diggins stands out with an average of 16.1 points and 2.7 rebounds, and Daniel Rivera contributes significantly with an average of 12.9 points and 7.8 rebounds.

The Pick:

UMass has a clear home advantage, as evidenced by the fact that five of its seven wins this season have occurred at home. The team is also exhibiting signs of improvement, having won two of its last three games, which included unexpected victories against Fordham and Dayton. Notably, in their win over the Flyers, UMass was a double-digit underdog. The La Salle Explorers have been struggling defensively, and such issues typically persist when playing away from home. UMass has successfully covered the spread in its last three games. The requirements are quite reasonable, thus I suggest placing your support behind UMass with the small spread.

Cleveland State vs IUPUI Prediction 1/19/25 College Basketball Picks

Cleveland State at IUPUI at 2 PM ET

The Cleveland State Vikings are set to compete in this game with the goal of following up their recent 76-58 triumph over Northern Kentucky, aiming to improve their record to 13-6 for the season. Tevin Smith leads the scoring efforts for the Vikings with an average of 13.4 points per game and 4.4 rebounds per game. In addition, Tahj Staveskie contributes 12.1 points per game, and Dylan Arnett rounds out the scoring with 10.9 points per game, while also leading the team in rebounding with 7.6 rebounds per game, showcasing a strong offensive presence for Cleveland State.

The IU Indy Jaguars enter this matchup seeking to recover from a recent defeat, having lost to Oakland with a score of 72-59, which brings their season record to 6-13. Paul Zilinskas is the leading scorer for the Jaguars, averaging 17.3 points per game. Following him, Jarvis Walker contributes 16.1 points per game, along with 2.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists. Additionally, Sean Craig averages 10.6 points per game and leads the team in rebounding with 8.1 boards per game, completing the roster of players scoring in double figures for IU Indy thus far this season.

The Pick:

Despite my appreciation for IU Indy and the charm of the underdog story, it is important to recognize that Cleveland State is presently the superior team, actively pursuing a conference championship. I believe the Vikings’ current form will facilitate a victory and a successful cover, leading me to back the Vikings while laying the points in this contest.

Memphis vs Charlotte Prediction 1/19/25 College Basketball Picks

Memphis at Charlotte at 3 PM ET

In the Thursday contest against Temple, the Tigers entered the second half facing a 36-30 deficit. Although they managed to close the gap to 52-51, Memphis ultimately fell short, concluding the game with an 88-81 loss. PJ Haggerty was the standout performer for the team, scoring 21 points and providing four assists and three steals. Tyrese Hunter also made a notable contribution with 16 points, six assists, two steals, and two rebounds. Dain Dainja, coming off the bench, recorded 14 points, five rebounds, two blocks, and two assists in 22 minutes, while Nicholas Jourdain rounded out the scoring with 11 points and three rebounds.

In the contest against Wichita State on Tuesday, the 49ers were down by four points at the break, with a score of 31-27. The second half did not improve their situation, as they were outscored 37-32, leading to a final defeat of 68-59. Nik Graves was the leading scorer for the team, recording 13 points, three rebounds, and two assists. Giancarlo Rosado added 11 points, along with eight rebounds, four assists, and five turnovers. Rich Rolf emerged as the top bench scorer, contributing eight points in 18 minutes of action.

The Pick:

Memphis has recorded 68 points or more in five straight games, boasting a 4-1 record in that span. They are likely to achieve this scoring mark once more as they seek to demonstrate their superiority in a contest they are favored to win. In contrast, Charlotte has surrendered 68 points or more in each game of their ongoing six-game losing streak, while managing to score fewer than 69 points in five consecutive outings. I anticipate that Memphis will approach this game with a sense of urgency following their loss to Temple and will dominate the matchup.

Robert Morris vs Milwaukee Prediction 1/19/25 College Basketball Picks

Robert Morris at Milwaukee at 3 PM ET

The Robert Morris Colonials have achieved a 12-7 record this year after their recent triumph over Green Bay, which ended with a score of 89-67. The Colonials exhibited strong shooting performance, hitting 53.7% of their field goals, 52.2% of their three-point shots, and 70.4% from the charity stripe. Amarion Dickerson was the top scorer for Robert Morris, netting 22 points along with two assists, while Kam Woods added 20 points and provided six assists in the victory.

The Robert Morris Colonials currently hold a record of 12-7 following their recent victory over Green Bay, which concluded with a score of 89-67. In this match, the Colonials demonstrated impressive shooting accuracy, achieving 53.7% from the field, 52.2% from beyond the arc, and 70.4% from the free-throw line. Amarion Dickerson was the standout performer for Robert Morris, contributing 22 points and two assists, while Kam Woods supported the effort with 20 points and six assists.

The Pick:

Over the course of their last six games, Milwaukee has encountered both victories and defeats, yet they are currently achieving a field goal percentage of 46.2% and outperforming their opponents in nearly all relevant metrics. In their last encounter, Robert Morris fell behind substantially in the first half against Green Bay, and it is plausible that they will struggle to gain momentum at the beginning of this contest as well. However, overcoming a formidable team will not be an easy task. Back Milwaukee at home.

TCU vs Baylor Prediction 1/19/25 College Basketball Picks

TCU at Baylor at 5 PM ET

This season, TCU has experienced fluctuations in performance, recently suffering a defeat. In their last game against Utah, the team scored a mere 65 points, leading to an eight-point loss. Vasaean Allettte was the standout player, recording 19 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. TCU’s current scoring average is 70.2 points per game, while their defensive unit allows 66.2 points. The offense is ranked 283rd in the league, in contrast to the defense, which holds the 50th position. Furthermore, TCU averages 21.44 attempts from beyond the arc per game, ranking 242nd in the league.

Baylor’s performance this season has been marked by inconsistency, culminating in a loss in their most recent match. In the game against Arizona, Baylor managed to score 70 points; however, their defense allowed 81 points, resulting in their defeat. Robert O Wright III delivered a commendable performance, contributing 16 points, four rebounds, and one assist. Currently, Baylor holds an overall record of 11-5, but their performance against the spread stands at 6-9. The team averages 81.4 points per game, while their defense concedes an average of 68.2 points. Offensively, they are ranked 47th in the league, whereas their defensive ranking is 93rd.

The Pick:

With an average of 81.3 points per game, Baylor demonstrates a strong potential for high scoring. Their offensive prowess surpasses that of their opponents, suggesting they will have little difficulty in amassing points. TCU is expected to struggle in countering Baylor’s offensive efforts, resulting in a decisive win for Baylor. Bet on Baylor against the spread.

Oliver Zivic's Pick: Baylor -12