Free College Basketball Picks For Today, Wednesday 1/8/2025

It’s a busy day in the CBB and we’re going to focus on the top 25 teams, so make sure not to miss out on the College Basketball Picks for Wednesday 1/8/2025.

UConn vs Villanova Prediction 1/8/25 College Basketball Picks

UConn at Villanova at 6:30 PM ET

The UConn Huskies secured victories against both Providence and DePaul. Currently, the team is averaging 83.9 points per game with a shooting percentage of 49.7, while conceding an average of 68.6 points at a shooting percentage of 42.1. Alex Karaban contributes significantly with an average of 16.3 points and 5.2 rebounds, whereas Liam McNeeley averages 13.6 points and 2.6 assists.

The Villanova Wildcats triumphed over Butler and DePaul in their recent matchups. They are performing impressively, averaging 80.1 points with a shooting accuracy of 49.3 percent, while allowing 66.9 points at a rate of 42.6 percent shooting. Eric Dixon stands out with an average of 25.9 points and 5.4 rebounds, and Wooga Poplar adds to the team’s efforts with 13.7 points and 6.9 rebounds.

The Pick:

This season, the UConn Huskies have encountered several tight matches, and their current situation is further complicated by injuries to Ahmad Nowell and Liam McNeeley. In contrast, the Villanova Wildcats have dramatically altered their season’s trajectory, winning eight out of their last ten games and covering the spread in eight of those instances. The Finneran Pavilion is anticipated to be filled with excitement. Nevertheless, I am choosing to back UConn and my slight favorite status. The UConn Huskies have consistently demonstrated their prowess as a leading team in the nation over recent years, making them a difficult opponent to bet against. While I recognize Villanova’s success during this period, I am reluctant to wager against UConn, especially with the advantageous lines available.

Alabama vs South Carolina Prediction 2025/01/08 College Basketball Picks

Alabama at South Carolina at 7 PM ET

This year, the Alabama Crimson Tide hold a 12-2 record after their impressive win against Oklahoma, finishing the game with a score of 107-79. During this contest, the Crimson Tide demonstrated shooting accuracy of 50% from the field, 31% on three-point attempts, and 73.3% from the free-throw line. Mark Sears was the leading scorer for Alabama, amassing 22 points along with 10 assists, while Labaron Philon contributed significantly with 16 points and five assists.

The South Carolina Gamecocks have a season record of 10-4 after their recent game, in which they were defeated by Mississippi State with a score of 85-50. The Gamecocks’ shooting performance was below expectations, with a field goal percentage of 29.1%, a three-point shooting percentage of 10.5%, and a free-throw percentage of 69.6%. Zachary Davis led the team with 22 points and three rebounds, while Nick Pringle added eight points and three assists in the loss.

The Pick:

This year, the Crimson Tide have secured wins against Illinois, Houston, and North Carolina, boasting an impressive scoring average of over 91 points per game. Meanwhile, South Carolina is shooting 44.6% from the field and averaging 73.8 points per game, though they were restricted to only 50 points in their latest game against Mississippi State. The Gamecocks are expected to find some offensive opportunities in this matchup, as Alabama is not particularly strong defensively. I was notably impressed by the Crimson Tide’s last performance, although they faced challenges in their previous road game at North Dakota. I foresee a game filled with scoring, but I lean towards Alabama, as their offensive strength seems to outmatch that of South Carolina.

Ole Miss vs Arkansas Prediction 01/08/25 College Basketball Picks

Ole Miss at Arkansas at 7 PM ET

During the latest game versus Georgia, Ole Miss recorded 63 points, ultimately winning by a 12-point margin. Guard Matthew Murrell delivered an impressive performance, tallying 15 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Similarly, Jaemyn Barakefield matched his scoring with 15 points, in addition to four rebounds and one assist. For the season, Ole Miss averages 79.6 points per game, while their defense concedes an average of 64.5 points. The offense is positioned 85th in the league rankings, in contrast to the defense, which holds the 34th position.

Arkansas aims to recover following a significant defeat in their most recent match. In their encounter with Tennessee, Arkansas managed to score 52 points; however, their defense conceded 76 points, resulting in a loss. Dajuan Walker Jr contributed with 17 points, three assists, and two rebounds. Throughout the season, Arkansas has been averaging 80.4 points per game, while their defense allows an average of 66.2 points. Offensively, they are positioned 71st in the league, whereas their defensive ranking stands at 57th.

The Pick:

With an average of 80.4 points per game, Arkansas demonstrates a strong scoring potential. Nevertheless, their offensive display in the last game fell short of expectations, and I foresee a continuation of this trend. Conversely, Ole Miss has been effective defensively, conceding only 64.5 points per game, and they are likely to enhance their performance in this matchup. It is conceivable that Arkansas’s reputation may be overstated, especially in light of an impending loss. Therefore, I advise supporting Ole Miss to win and cover the spread.

Texas A&M vs Oklahoma Prediction 1/8/25 College Basketball Picks

Texas A&M at Oklahoma at 9 PM ET

The Texas A&M Aggies have recorded 12 victories against 2 losses this season, placing them in 6th place in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They are coming off a solid win, having triumphed 80-60 in Texas. The team has a record of 9-4-1 against the spread and 5-9 in terms of over/under, while their performance on the road has yet to yield a win, as they stand at 0-1. Wade Taylor is the leading scorer for Texas A&M, averaging 15.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and a team-high 4.8 assists. Zhuric Phelps also makes a significant contribution, averaging 13.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

The Oklahoma Sooners currently hold a record of 13 wins and 1 loss this season, placing them in 9th position within the SEC. They recently experienced a defeat against Alabama, with a final score of 79-107. The Sooners have achieved a 7-7 record against the spread and an 8-6 record in over/under while maintaining an impressive 8-0 record at home. Jeremiah Fears is the leading scorer for Oklahoma, averaging 17.9 points per game and contributing a team-high of 4.4 assists, while Jalon Moore also averages 17.9 points and secures 6 rebounds per game.

The Pick:

In terms of offensive capabilities, Oklahoma outperforms Texas A&M by scoring an additional 6.2 points. On the other hand, Texas A&M showcases a stronger defensive record, allowing 8 points less than Oklahoma. The Sooners are winning their games this season by an average of 12.4 points, while the Aggies have a higher average winning margin of 14 points. The Sooners have struggled to cover the spread in their last three outings, in contrast to the Aggies, who have successfully covered in six straight games. Back the Texas A&M Aggies and accept the points.

Arizona State vs Kansas Prediction 1/8/25 College Basketball Picks

Arizona State at Kansas at 9 PM ET

In their matchup against Colorado on Saturday, the Sun Devils entered the second half trailing with a score of 40-27. However, Arizona State surged in the latter half, outscoring their opponents 41-34, ultimately securing a decisive 20-point victory with a final score of 81-61. BJ Freeman led the team in scoring, contributing 19 points along with four rebounds and four assists. Basheer Jihad followed closely with 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, and two steals, while Jayden Quaintance recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Amier Ali was the standout performer off the bench, adding 10 points, two rebounds, and one assist in 21 minutes of play.

In the Sunday game against UCF, the Jayhawks took the court after halftime with a significant 44-25 lead. Their performance only improved in the second half, where they achieved an impressive 55-23 scoring run, ultimately securing a commanding victory of 99-48. Hunter Dickinson was the leading scorer for the team, finishing with 27 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, one steal, and one assist. Rylan Griffen made a valuable contribution off the bench, playing for 18 minutes and scoring 14 points while grabbing four rebounds. Flory Bidunga also played a key role, contributing 12 points and five rebounds in 21 minutes, while Dajuan Harris, as a starter, added 11 points, six rebounds, and two assists in his 23 minutes on the floor.

The Pick:

In their last two losses, the Sun Devils have struggled offensively, managing just 66 points against Florida and 56 points against BYU. Despite these setbacks, their overall scoring has been commendable for most of the season. Kansas will undoubtedly pose a formidable challenge, but I am confident that Arizona State can secure a cover with an effective offensive performance.

Penn State vs Illinois Prediction 1/8/25 College Basketball Picks

Penn State at Illinois at 9 PM ET

The Penn State Nittany Lions have compiled a 12-3 record this season, currently ranking 8th in the Big Ten Conference. They are coming off a 71-77 defeat against Indiana. The team’s performance against the spread is 6-9, and they have a 7-8 record in over/under betting, with a 1-1 record in away games this season. Ace Baldwin stands out as the leading scorer for Penn State, averaging 14.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and a team-high 8.4 assists. Yanic Konan Niederhauser also makes a notable contribution, averaging 12.7 points and leading the team with 6.9 rebounds.

This season, the Illinois Fighting Illini have achieved an 11-3 record, positioning themselves in third place within the Big 10 conference. Their most recent game resulted in an 81-77 victory over Washington. The team has a spread record of 7-6-1 and an over/under record of 8-6, complemented by a strong home performance with a 7-1 record. Kasparas Jakucionis is the leading scorer for Illinois, averaging 16.4 points per game, along with 5.6 rebounds and a team-high 5.4 assists. Tomislav Ivisic also plays a crucial role, contributing 13.8 points and leading the team with 9.1 rebounds.

The Pick:

Illinois excels in both offensive and defensive aspects, averaging 0.8 points more in scoring and permitting 1.3 points less than Penn State. The Fighting Illini are winning by an average of 20.4 points this season, while the Nittany Lions average 18.3 points in their victories. This analysis suggests that Illinois is the superior team in this encounter. Additionally, considering that Penn State has not managed to cover the spread in their previous four games, it is recommended to favor the Illinois Fighting Illini and accept the points at home.

San Diego vs Gonzaga Prediction 1/8/25 College Basketball Picks

San Diego at Gonzaga at 9 PM ET

San Diego has encountered significant challenges throughout the season and recently suffered yet another defeat in their latest match. In their game against Oregon State, San Diego managed to score 54 points, while their defense conceded 81 points, resulting in a loss. Guard Tony Duckett emerged as the standout player for San Diego, contributing 12 points and securing three rebounds. Over the course of the season, San Diego has been averaging 66.7 points per game, while their defense has allowed an average of 73.3 points. The team’s offensive performance is currently ranked 334th in the league, whereas their defensive ranking stands at 239th.

In the latest contest against Loyola Marymount, Gonzaga tallied an impressive 96 points, resulting in a decisive win. Graham Ike had a standout performance, recording 27 points, nine rebounds, and one assist. Khalif Battle also made significant contributions with 26 points and four rebounds. For the season, Gonzaga averages 87.4 points per game, while their defensive unit concedes 68.6 points. The offense ranks 8th in the league, while the defense is positioned at 110th.

The Pick:

Gonzaga is currently averaging 87.4 points per game, and they are expected to easily surpass this figure in the upcoming match. It is anticipated that Gonzaga will exceed the 87.4-point threshold, which will ultimately contribute to a comfortable victory. They are likely to cover the spread by halftime, making Gonzaga a strong choice against the spread.