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 31st. We have multiple marquee matchups on tap, headlined the AJ Dybantsa vs. Darryn Peterson showdown as BYU takes on Kansas. Don’t miss out on the best college basketball picks below as you cash your own bets. Note that all odds are accurate as of this writing, but are always subject to change. Good luck! 

College Basketball Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 1/31

Our college basketball best bets today begin with a Big Ten matchup between Indiana and UCLA. Can the Bruins keep up their winning ways or will the Hoosiers pull off the road win? Plus, we focus on a Big East showdown as Creighton hosts UConn on Saturday night. Check out more college basketball predictions below for other games today, including BYU vs. Kansas and Saint Mary’s vs. Gonzaga. Let’s jump in.  

 

 

 

Indiana vs. UCLA Prediction: Saturday, 1/31

Mick Cronin has his team headed in the right direction. After losing back-to-back games to begin January, UCLA has since turned a corner. The Bruins are 5-1 in their last six games. This stretch includes a big home win over Purdue and a trio of double-digit victories. Most recently, it was a 16-point win at Oregon on Wednesday. 

UCLA now gets into a friendly part of its schedule. Starting this weekend against Indiana, the Bruins will play three straight games at home. They’re also in the middle of playing six straight on the West Coast. Stacking wins and improving the resume during this stretch is crucial for Cronin and Co. before facing Michigan, Michigan State, and Illinois in mid-February. 

Indiana has a tall task having to travel across the country for this one. The road spot is tough in itself, but the Hoosiers may also be in for a letdown after upsetting Purdue at home earlier this week. Before that, IU endured a four-game losing streak in January. That included double-digit losses on the road at Michigan and Michigan State, and a poor 17-point home loss to Iowa. 

In this matchup, specifically, perimeter shooting on both ends could be the difference. Indiana’s offense relies heavily on the three-pointer, ranking 22nd nationally in percentage of total points from beyond the arc. The Hoosiers are also shooting 36.9% from three in conference play (second in Big Ten). However, UCLA boasts an elite three-point defense. It’s holding opponents to 29.6% from deep this season (16th in Division I), including 28.7% in league action (second in Big Ten). 

Meanwhile, the Bruins are shooting 37.6% on three-pointers themselves this year. That will be key as Indiana has had some issues defending outside shots in conference play. The Hoosiers have multiple other worries defensively, too. They rank 13th in the Big Ten in opposing effective field-goal percentage, including 15th in two-point defense and 16th in free-throw attempts rate. 

Overall, UCLA’s offense should have more success to secure the home victory. Indiana is just 2-4 on the road this year, and the two wins came against bad Penn State and Maryland teams. Otherwise, the Hoosiers have struggled to be competitive away from Bloomington thus far. On the flip side, the Bruins are 5-0 at home vs. power-conference teams this year. They’re also 12-2 at home in the Big Ten over the past two seasons combined now. 

 

 

 

UConn vs. Creighton Prediction: Saturday, 1/31

Despite UConn sitting at 20-1 on the year, the betting market and public perceptions of Dan Hurley’s team are understandably low right now. The Huskies have failed to cover the spread in seven straight games and they’re just 3-10 ATS over the last 13 contests. They continue to survive close games against lesser opponents. 

Maybe Connecticut is bound to get caught and suffer its first loss since November. Or, maybe the Huskies are overdue for a comfortable win. Let’s count on the latter this weekend, even with UConn on the road at Creighton. 

This might be Greg McDermott’s worst team at Creighton in a decade. The Bluejays are 12-9 on the year and 6-4 in Big East play. They’re down to 64th at KenPom, 68th at BartTorvik, and 69th in the latest NET rankings. The latest 24-point loss to a struggling Marquette squad is especially concerning. 

On the surface, this could be a possible trap game, as the Huskies’ recent close wins are a bit concerning. However, it can also can be a prime get-right spot. Simply put, this projects to be a bad matchup for Creighton on both ends. UConn can exploit some key areas to build a comfortable enough lead and cover the spread. 

Creighton’s offense leans heavily on its three-point scoring. The Bluejays rank first in the Big East in percentage of total points via the three, while shooting 36.3% from deep in conference play. However, UConn is elite at defending the perimeter and forcing teams inside. The Huskies are holding opponents to 28.5% three-point shooting this season (seventh in Division I) while allowing the 12th-lowest percentage of three-point scoring in the country. 

If the outside shots aren’t falling for Creighton this weekend, it could be a long game for the offense. The Bluejays don’t rebound well offensively or get to the free-throw line often. UConn is also elite at defending the paint. The Huskies are eighth nationally in two-point defense and 10th in defensive block rate. Their defense also ranks fifth in the country in overall defensive efficiency, per KenPom. 

Creighton’s offensive X-factor and main catalyst is combo guard Austin Swartz. Yet, Connecticut has the backcourt and wing defenders to slow him down. Expect Solo Ball and Silas Demary to play key roles in frustrating Swartz and the Creighton offense. Big men Tarris Reed Jr. and Eric Reibe can control the interior as well. 

On the other end, the Bluejays’ defense also forces teams inside. They allow two-point scoring at the third-highest rate in the sport. That’s bad news against UConn, who get to the rim with designed cuts and ball-screens at a high level. Plus, stud freshman Braylon Mullins could return after missing the last game with a concussion. It also doesn’t help that Creighton ranks 346th nationally in defensive turnover rate. 

It’s also worth noting how poorly Creighton has fared against top-tier competition this year. Against four previous top-20 KenPom opoinents, the Bluejays are 0-4 SU and ATS while losing by an average of 20.8 PPG. That includes a 17-point home loss to St. John’s earlier this month. UConn can continue the trend on Saturday. 

 

 

 

Best College Basketball Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 1/31

 

 

 

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