College Basketball Best Bets for Today, January 22

Over 100 games comprise the Saturday college hoops slate and I have placed many wagers on the games.

In the interest of time I'm going to run through all of the games I have bet so far, but I'm sure there will be more, which you can track here.

Record is starting to round into form as the best bets column is 5-2 over the past two entries, losing one in the final seconds on Thursday. Happy Saturday, let's get to work.

All odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook

Column Record: 19-24-3 (-5.3 Units)

Minnesota (-1.5) vs. Rutgers

Minnesota has dropped four straight Big Ten games since the start of the new year, but I'm going to buy them at home.

Rutgers has struggled to win on the road all season and is due for some negative regression in conference play, hitting on 41% of their three's and allowing opponents to make just 28% of them, both tops in the Big Ten.

This feels like a great buy low sell high spot after Rutgers won in controversial fashion at home this week against Iowa with free throws. The Scarlett Knights are 1-5 on the road this season and 'The Barn' is always a tough place to play.

NOTE: After writing, Minnesota ruled out Jamison Battle, EJ Stephens and Eric Curry. I still played but would wait for a + number.

PICK: Minnesota -1.5, play to -2.5

West Virginia (+8) vs. Texas Tech

I typically like fading the Red Raiders as big favorites due to their noted free throw woes (67% as a team) which typically comes into play with a spread like this.

Further than that, the matchup should set up nicely for the Mountaineers, who are losers of two straight to Big 12 powerhouses Kansas and Baylor. While it seems like the team may be gassed, head coach Bob Huggins has had success against TTU in the past, winning twice last season, and his team does a fine job of protecting the ball, 123rd in the nation.

On the other side, the team's havoc-driven press hasn't worked in conference play, down 6% from a top 10 mark in the country. However, Texas Tech struggles at handling the ball, bottom 100 in turnover rate.

This game has all the feel of a close rock fight, like most Big 12 games at this point.

PICK: West Virginia +8, play to +7

Texas vs. Oklahoma State OVER 125.5

Texas may play slow, but they are starting to profile as an over team with their totals lined below 130.

The team has gone over in 4 of their past 6, all lined in this range, and I believe we are going to see some positive shooting regression for their offense. Not to mention, both teams gets to the line at a high clip and Texas is particularly strong from the charity strip (top 25 nationally).

After these two played in a scrap two weeks ago, a 64-51 Cowboys win, I'm going to buy the emerging Longhorns offense and bank on my projected total of 131.

PICK: OVER 125.5, play to 127

Parlay: Iowa and San Diego State (-121)

San Diego State hasn't played in two weeks, but has been reportedly practicing the whole time so I don't expect a typical rusty start that most teams face with extended pauses nowadays.

Meanwhile, they face a Boise State team that played at Utah State on Thursday night in a thriller and are playing their fifth game in 11 days.

The Aztecs boast a top 10 defense nationally and this Boise State team feels ripe for some negative shooting regression after shooting 2% better from three in conference play. I'll fade them and their road weary legs.

Considering the Aztecs play a slow brand of basketball, I'll bring down the price with Iowa, who should look to take out their frustrations at home against Big Ten basement dweller Penn State at home after a 48-46 to Rutgers.

Utah (+5.5) vs. USC

A dreaded PAC-12 spot pops up with the Trojans travelling to Salt Lake City to face Utah, the second leg of their 'Mountain Road Trip.'

Altitude can play a role here after USC played a tight game against Colorado on Thursday night, and I'm going to buy the Utes as a home underdog after they covered against the Bruins. (Note: I played Colorado +5.5 last night against UCLA in the reverse spot, same logic applies).

Utah can't score effectively without their big man Branden Carlson, but they are money from the free throw line, shooting nearly 80% as a team.

Not to mention, USC is bottom 10 in free throw percentage and don't turn their opponent over at all.

I'm going to trust the profitable system and fade the Trojans at altitude.

Other Plays:

Some have moved, but these are still available as of this writing:

• Louisiana Tech +1.5, play to PK
• Furman ML to +100