Published on

College Basketball Best Bets, Picks & Analysis | 01/05/25 | Sunday CBB Picks

Introduction

Hey everyone, Crusty K here from the Gold Boys Network. Today, I’m bringing you a preview of the college basketball slate for Sunday. After a successful Saturday, going 3-0 on our initial video plays, I’m excited to dive into today’s matchups and bring you my best bets.

Indiana at Penn State

First up, we have Indiana traveling to Penn State. After a significant win for Indiana, many might think they’re on a roll. However, this isn't an easy spot for them on the road. Malik Renew is presumed out, which heavily impacts Indiana's offense. Penn State has strong bigs to counter Indiana's inside game, while Indiana struggles with guard play. I’m taking Penn State at -5.5 in this game. The total is high, which aligns with Penn State’s tendency to run and capitalize on free throws, an area where Indiana has faltered this season.

Providence at UConn

Next, we have Providence heading to UConn as a substantial underdog. UConn is favored by 14.5 points, and I believe this spread is justified. However, it’s crucial to monitor the status of Bryce Hopkins. If he plays, Providence becomes a markedly better team as he is central to their offense and defense. If Hopkins is out, UConn is the play at -14.5. Until we hear more on his condition, this game is a bit of a waiting game.

Kansas at UCF

Moving on, Kansas is set to visit UCF. After a surprising loss to West Virginia, Kansas is in a bounce-back position. UCF is coming off an impressive win over Texas Tech, which makes this an intriguing matchup. Despite being uncomfortable laying -5.5 points with Kansas given their erratic play lately, I believe there’s potential for a turnaround. UCF's recent success might lead others to bet against Kansas, which intrigues me as it could set up a contrarian opportunity.

Maryland at Oregon

Next on the docket is Maryland against Oregon. Coming off disappointing performances, both teams are eager to bounce back. Oregon has the home advantage and should perform well against a Maryland squad that has consistently struggled on the road. Maryland’s young players might still be adjusting to the physical nature of college basketball. I’m picking Oregon at -3.5.

North Texas at Memphis

Lastly, we have North Texas visiting Memphis, with Memphis favored by -9.5. Memphis has shown a renewed emphasis on defense, creating a challenging situation for North Texas’ slower-paced offense. North Texas has a high foul rate this season, which plays right into Memphis’ strengths, given their support for aggressive play and drawing fouls. Expect Memphis to capitalize on their style of play, so I’m confidently taking them to win by more than 9.5 points.

Conclusion

That's a wrap on this Sunday slate! I appreciate everyone taking the time to tune in. As always, you can find all my official picks at GoldBoys.com. If you have any gambling problems, please seek help.

Keyword

  • College Basketball
  • Best Bets
  • Sunday Picks
  • Indiana
  • Penn State
  • Providence
  • UConn
  • Kansas
  • UCF
  • Maryland
  • Oregon
  • North Texas
  • Memphis

FAQ

  1. What are the best bets for College Basketball on January 5, 2025?

    • The best bets include Penn State -5.5 against Indiana, UConn -14.5 against Providence (pending Bryce Hopkins news), Kansas -5.5 against UCF, Oregon -3.5 against Maryland, and Memphis -9.5 against North Texas.

  2. Why is Bryce Hopkins' status important for the Providence vs. UConn game?

    • Bryce Hopkins significantly impacts Providence’s performance on both ends of the court. If he plays, they are much stronger, but if he’s out, UConn might dominate.

  3. What factors are influencing the picks for the Kansas vs. UCF game?

    • Kansas is looking for a bounce-back after a loss, while UCF is coming off a significant win, which could create a contrarian betting opportunity.

  4. Why is Oregon favored over Maryland?

    • Oregon has the home advantage and matches up well against Maryland's bigs, giving them the edge in this matchup.

  5. What makes Memphis a good bet against North Texas?

    • Memphis thrives on attacking the rim and drawing fouls, and North Texas has a high foul rate, making it a favorable matchup for Memphis to exploit.

Read More