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  1. College Basketball Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 1/23
  2. Indiana vs. Rutgers Prediction: Friday, 1/23
  3. Utah State vs. Colorado State Prediction: Friday, 1/23
  4. Best College Basketball Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 1/23
  5. Get $1,500 in Bonus Bets Today at BetMGM Sportsbook When You Sign Up

The 2025-26 college basketball season is in full swing, and we’re here to help you cash in on the action. Let’s dive into the top college basketball best bets today for Friday, January 23rd. We have some notable matchups on tap with a couple of Top 25 teams in action. Don’t miss out on the best college basketball picks below as you cash your own bets. Good luck! 

College Basketball Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 1/23

Our college basketball best bets today begin with an intriguing Big Ten matchup between Indiana and Rutgers. Plus, in the Mountain West, we get Utah State in a potential bounce-back spot against Colorado State. Check out some more college basketball predictions below for other games tonight, including Ohio State vs. Michigan. Let’s jump in.  

 

 

 

Indiana vs. Rutgers Prediction: Friday, 1/23

Tonight’s Big Ten matchup between Indiana and Rutgers features a pair of teams on the struggle bus lately. The Hoosiers should be desperate for a win, having lost 4 straight coming in. Meanwhile, the Scarlet Knights have dropped 4 of their last 6 games and are just 5-10 over the past 15 contests as well. 

Indiana should win this game, but covering the spread is a big question mark. Instead, let’s focus on the total and bank on a higher-scoring matchup featuring some struggling defenses. 

Rutgers is allowing 83.4 PPG during conference play, while ranking 17th in the Big Ten in defensive efficiency (per KenPom). The Scarlet Knights are allowing league opponents to shoot 39.3% from three-point range while struggling on the defensive boards as well. In turn, they’ve given up 80+ points in 6 of 8 conference games thus far. 

Indiana has the offensive firepower to take advantage tonight. The Hoosiers rank 39th nationally in offensive efficiency overall this season, while shooting 36.1% from three in league play (2nd in Big Ten). Senior transfers Lamar Wilkerson (19.0 PPG) and Tucker DeVries (14.2 PPG) lead the way and provide consistent scoring. 

Indiana’s offense has been limited in its current losing streak. Yet, it’s also faced a string of elite defenses in Michigan, Iowa, Michigan State, and Nebraska. The competition gets much easier tonight with how bad Rutgers is defensively. The Hoosiers can get back to their previous higher level of offense, when they averaged 95.7 PPG against Penn State, Maryland, and Washington in their three prior Big Ten matchups. 

Meanwhile, Indiana’s defense has some issues itself. The Hoosiers are giving up 75.8 PPG in conference play while ranking 12th in the Big Ten in defensive efficiency. Rutgers, admittedly, leaves a lot to be desired on the offensive end as well. However, the Knights are averaging 75.8 PPG in their four home Big Ten games. They should do enough to make this a higher-scoring contest. 

 

 

 

Utah State vs. Colorado State Prediction: Friday, 1/23

Just a week ago, Utah State was off to one of the best starts in the country. The Aggies were 15-1 overall, 6-0 in conference play, and their only loss came on the road at South Florida. However, Jerrod Calhoun’s squad has since dropped its past two games, with both being 10-point losses. 

Despite these latest results, Utah State is still worth backing moving forward. Tonight presents a nice buy-low opportunity on the Mountain West contenders looking to snap their losing streak. The Aggies will especially be looking to get back on track after blowing a double-digit lead in the second half in the UNLV loss earlier this week. 

Before getting to tonight’s opponent, let’s look closer at Utah State. It boasts one of the top offenses in college basketball, averaging 84.8 PPG this year while ranking 25th nationally in offensive efficiency (per KenPom). The Aggies are shooting 51.3% from the field overall (9th in Division I) with multiple three-point threats and efficient interior scoring. Plus, during Mountain West play, they lead the conference in both offensive turnover and offensive rebounding rates. 

Utah State’s offense should have plenty of success in tonight’s matchup. Colorado State ranks 235th nationally in defensive efficiency, per KenPom, while struggling to defend inside and on the perimeter. The Rams have also lost 5 of their last 8 games. In those losses, they’ve given up 82.6 PPG.

Colorado State, admittedly, can make this a game because of its own offense. The Rams are shooting a lights-out 41.2% from three-point range (2nd in Division I) while ranking 36th nationally in offensive efficiency. However, their offense is very reliant on perimeter scoring. If CSU is hitting threes, it’s live for an upset. If not, though, then the offense can go cold. 

Even on the road here, Utah State should take care of business against a subpar Colorado State team. If the Aggies can avoid a three-point barrage, this can be a comfortable win. Their 9th-ranked defensive turnover rate will also be a factor in limiting the Rams’ offense. 

When these teams faced off a month ago, Utah State dominated en route to a 100-58 victory. We likely won’t see another 42-point margin in this rematch, but the Aggies are the clear better team and have plenty of motivation to snap their losing ways. 

 

 

 

Best College Basketball Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 1/23

 

 


 

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