College Basketball Best Bets Today for January 24th

A tough Saturday in hoops halted some momentum we built during last week. No need to stop with the process though. Conference play has been kind to us overall and we'll continue on.

The Monday slate is a bit quiet, headlined by ACC action for the most part, but let's get to the picks.

All odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Column Record: 21-29-3 (-9.02 Units)

Wake Forest (-10.5) vs. Boston College

Wake is quietly emerging as an ACC contender behind another double digit victory, this time knocking off UNC at home.

Now they stay home to face Boston College, who pieced together an impressive upset win over Virginia Tech. However, this matchup won't suit the visitors well, a team reliant on getting to the rim to make up for their lack of three-point shooting. The Demon Decans have a strong interior defense, allowing opponents to shoot just 45% on two-point tries (45th best in the nation, even better in ACC play), and do a sound job on the defensive glass.

Nearly 55% of BC's points come on two's, which is the 75th most in the country, but Wake shuts down the paint and should give the Eagles offense fits with their length on the perimeter.

I don't believe BC has answers for Wake on the other end either. The Dec's play fast and are adept at getting inside and finishing with the likes of Alondes Williams, who has become the engine of this offensive attack. He is shooting 62% on two-point tries while posting a 30.4% usage rate.

I make this game closer to -12.5, so I'm willing to play Wake up to -11 in what in another blowout spot.

PICK: Wake -10.5, play to -11

Virginia Tech vs. North Carolina OVER 141

I wrote at length about this game here, but I believe that both offenses should thrive in Chapel Hill on Monday night.

The Tar Heels play at a fast pace, and back at home after two straight blow out losses, I expect the game to be played on their terms. However, they are one of the worst teams in the country at forcing turnovers, fourth worst in the country to be exact. Va. Tech should be able to fire from distance against the conservative Tar Heels D. The Hokies are top 10 in three-point percentage as a team.

Ultimately, I see a few extra possessions in a tight contest between two desperate teams trying to erase some bad losses. Keep in mind, these are the top two free throw shooting teams in ACC play, so if this comes down to free throws count on extra points.

PICK: OVER 141, play to 142

Northern Arizona (-3) vs. Sacramento State

One of the best situational spots on the board goes down in the Big Sky Conference between Northern Arizona and Sacramento State.

NAU lost to two of the better conference teams this past week in Montana and Montana State to fall to 6-11 on the year, losing by 5 and 10.

Those teams are both inside of KenPom's top 200, but now get a foe outside the top 300 in Sacramento State. The Hornets come in after playing a pair of road games on Thursday and Saturday, including an overtime game at altitude against Idaho.

Now they travel to face the Lumberjacks, who have the best player on the floor in Jalen Cone. The 5'11" Virginia Tech transfer is top 35 in the country in usage rate and should thrive against the tired legs of the Hornets.

Neither team is special, but the spot sets up for a big night from Cone, who has scored 20+ points in three of his past four. I was able to get NAU at the opener of -2.5 last night (you can find those plays on my betstamp below), but still like it at -3.

PICK: Northern Arizona -3

All of Reed's college basketball plays can be tracked here, his best bets column for college basketball is 24-29-3 for -9.02 units.