College Basketball Best Bets for Today, January 28th

Maybe the best bets column is cursed? On my day off I went 6-1 in college hoops plays, but when I come back with some positive momentum, I go 1-3 with one bet blowing a 23-point lead to lose outright at home. Woof.

Anyway, we have short slate as we look ahead to Saturday, but I was able to get a trio of plays starting with the first game on the board. Let's get to it:

Odds courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook

Column Record: 26-34-3 (-10.4 units)

Colgate (-2.5) vs. Boston University

This line moved on Friday morning in between the time I locked in Colgate -1.5 and that WynnBET moved to -2.5, but for the sake of the column I still would bet this number.

For more, check out my full game preview for this one, but the Raiders are surging to the top of the Patriot League for a repeat conference title behind the best offense and defense in league play. Meanwhile, Boston's offense has fallen off a cliff and they have beat one KenPom top 200 team this season.

Colgate's record isn't pretty because of a difficult nonconference schedule that has prepared them to beat up on their Patriot League foes. I'll take the road favorites that are still undervalued.

PICK: Colgate -2.5

Air Force (+7.5) vs. Wyoming

I was able to bet +8 earlier, which I detailed in my full game preview, but I still see value on this down to +7 when factoring the schematic and spot advantages for Air Force.

The Falcons zone defense should give the high octane Wyoming offense some issues that likes to play from the inside and don't crash the glass at all.

Meanwhile, Air Force has a ton of variance tied to their games considering they are now over 50% on three-point rate in league play while hitting 38% of them. The team plays at one of the slowest paces in the nation and Wyoming doesn't push the pace either so I expect limited possessions in a weird Friday afternoon local game.

The Cowboys play a high level Mountain West foe in Colorado State on Monday and could be caught looking ahead on the road, so I'll take the home underdog.

PICK: Air Force +7.5, play to +7

Dayton (-6) vs. Rhode Island

I love this Dayton team, especially at home, and will keep banking on them to take care of business as the dark horse Atlantic-10 contender. that Dayton has been crushing their conference schedule, losing two games by a combined two points, but winning five by an average margin of 15.

Check out more on Dayton vs. Rhode Island in our game preview!

Rhode Island's defense may not travel well with their physical defense that can run into foul trouble quickly in a rocky University of Dayton Arena. Rhode Island's opponents are posting a 39% free throw rate and are very reliant on two-point tries which Dayton has shut down in league play. URI is generating 61% of their points on the inside, but Dayton is holding foes to a 40% two-point percentage.

I like the Flyers to stay hot and win with some margin at home. I haven't locked in this bet just yet as I'm waiting to see if this line gets any better, but I'd be fine playing this to -6.5 depending on some market movement.

PICK: Dayton -6, play to -6.5

All of Reed's college basketball plays can be tracked here, his best bets column for college basketball is 26-34-3 for -10.4 units.