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 Saturday, January 24th. We have a ton of Top 25 teams in action and plenty of marquee matchups on tap. 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, 1/24

Our college basketball best bets today begin with Minnesota hosting No. 7 Nebraska in an interesting Big Ten matchup. Can the Golden Gophers pull off the upset? Plus, No. 22 North Carolina takes on No. 14 Virginia in an ACC Top 25 battle. Check out some more college basketball predictions below for other games today, including Houston vs. Texas Tech and Tennessee vs. Alabama. Let’s jump in.  

 

Nebraska vs. Minnesota Prediction: Saturday, 1/24

Just as everyone expected, Nebraska is one three remaining unbeaten teams in college basketball. Fred Hoiberg’s squad is 19-0 overall and now 8-0 in Big Ten play thus far. As impressive as the Cornhuskers’ season has been, this weekend presents an opportunity to fade them on the road at Minnesota. 

First off, this is a classic trap and lookahead spot. Nebraska has a pair of marquee Big Ten matchups coming up next week in the form of Michigan and Illinois. Before that, though, Minnesota is a sneaky opponent on Saturday. It doesn’t help that this road game features an early tip at 11 AM local time. 

The market and public perception of Minnesota are deservedly down right now. The Golden Gophers have lost four straight and are just 10-9 on the year overall. Yet, their recent losses are encouraging despite the final results. 

Minnesota just took Ohio State to overtime on the road on Tuesday, after covering as a road underdog at Illinois the game prior. Beforehand, the Gophers lost by just three points to Wisconsin and lost by only one point in overtime to USC. Those are all losses on paper, but a few of those easily could’ve gone the other way – and each featured quality opponents. 

Minnesota will look to slow this game down and limit Nebraska’s possessions. The Golden Gophers rank 353rd nationally in overall tempo and 359th in defensive pace, per KenPom. They regularly force teams to use up most of the shot clock while avoiding fouling and giving up free points.  

Those last two points could be key this weekend. Nebraska boasts a potent offense that ranks 22nd nationally in offensive efficiency (per KenPom) while shooting a conference-best 39.3% from three-point range in Big Ten play. The ‘Huskers are also sixth in the country in offensive turnover rate. 

Nebraska can definitely score at a high clip. However, it also has two glaring weaknesses on offense. The Cornhuskers are 304th in offensive rebounding rate and 317th in free-throw attempts rate. They also rely too much on three-pointer at times. On the road here, if the perimeter shots are falling consistently, then Minnesota can hold Nebraska in check. 

Another big factor is the potential absence of breakout freshman Braden Fager. The talented wing scorer suffered an ankle injury on Wednesday and his status is up in the air for this weekend’s game. It’s very possible he sits out to get healthier for those upcoming matchups against Michigan and Illinois. That would be a big loss, as Fager is averaging 15.7 PPG over his past seven full games. 

Betting against undefeated Nebraska is obviously risky, but we’re doing it here. Notably, the Cornhuskers are just 3-10 straight up on the road at Minnesota since 2000. That includes a 2-8 mark in the past 10 road meetings. The Gophers can make this a game and are even live to pull the outright upset. 

 

 

 

North Carolina vs. Virginia Prediction: Saturday, 1/24

At the beginning of the season, North Carolina was widely viewed as the better team than Virginia. However, the past month’s results have proven differently. Thus, we have the Cavaliers as sizable home favorites for this weekend’s matchup. 

Virginia is 16-2 overall and 5-1 in ACC play so far. The Cavs have reeled off impressive road victories at NC State, Louisville, and SMU over the last month as well. They also dominated Texas by 19 points on the road earlier this season. UVA’s only two losses came in triple overtime at Virginia Tech to begin conference play, and to Butler on a neutral court back in November. 

Besides those two blemishes, Virginia is rolling. It ranks 17th nationally in both offensive and defensive efficiencies, per KenPom. Head coach Ryan Odom has built a legit contender in his first year on the job. The Cavs play elite defense and are uber-efficient on the offensive end. 

As for North Carolina, a 13-1 start to the season was all well and good. Yet, the Tar Heels have now come back down to Earth with losses in three of their last five games. They’re allowing 85.8 PPG in this stretch, and rank 17th in the ACC in defensive efficiency during conference play. 

On offense, UNC is at its best when freshman Caleb Wilson and seven-footer Henri Veesaar are owning the paint. When they’re not, though, the lack of consistent scoring elsewhere becomes a problem. Virginia ranks fifth in the country in two-point defense while also holding opponents to 28.9% three-point shooting (12th in Division I). The Cavaliers have the interior size and defensive prowess to shut down Wilson and Veesaar. That will put more pressure on the Tar Heels to score more from the perimeter, but they haven’t proven to be a reliable and consistent threat in that area.

On the other end, UNC’s defensive issues in conference play are worrisome. Virginia is shooting 37.1% from three this season while the Heels are allowing ACC opponents to shoot 43.1% from three-point range. North Carolina also ranks 345th nationally in defensive turnover rate. UVA, meanwhile, boasts the 4th-highest offensive rebounding rate in the country. 

If North Carolina can’t force turnovers or grab rebounds on defense, then it might be a long day. Virginia should have success from the perimeter, get enough second-chance points, and be too efficient on offense for the Heels to hang around. Simply put, this is a bad matchup for UNC on both ends of the floor.

Let’s take UVA to cover as the home favorite. It’s 6-1 ATS over the last seven games and 12-6 ATS overall this year. Meanwhile, North Carolina is 1-4 ATS over its past 5 contests and just 2-5 ATS in road/neutral games this season. 

 

 

 

Best College Basketball Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 1/24

 

 

 

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