The last week’s college basketball action has given the power rankings a real shuffle. Kansas lost twice, even getting run out of their own gym on Saturday by the likes of TCU, and Houston fell at home to Temple the next day. It was the first time in the history of the AP poll that the top two teams had lost at home on consecutive days. Alabama has emerged as a power this season, with a perfect 7-0 SEC record – and an average margin of victory of 21 points. The Crimson Tide also have a win over Houston. Purdue is another top team, with wins over Duke, Gonzaga and Marquette. Let’s take a look at a pair of primo NCAA Basketball betting picks in Monday night’s action.
NCAA News: Top College Basketball Bets for January 23
Wisconsin Badgers (+2.5) at Northwestern Wildcats (O/U 122.5) (6:30 pm ET)
Wisconsin (12-5) heads to Northwestern to play a game delayed from Saturday because of COVID-19 cases within Northwestern’s basketball program. The Badgers ended a three-game losing streak with a 63-60 home win over Penn State. Steven Crawl led the way with 21 points and 11 boards, while Chucky Hepburn. Forward Tyler Wahl returned from missing three games with an ankle injury (the losses to Indiana, Michigan State and Illinois). He averages 12.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. While the Badgers struggled with their shooting against Penn State (43%), they only had five turnovers, which helped keep the ball away from the Nittany Lions.
Northwestern (12-5) lost to Rutgers at home by three and Michigan at seven in their last two games. In that loss to the Wolverines on Sunday, Boo Buie was the top Northwestern scorer with 22 points, going 8 of 18 overall (but clanking five of six three-pointers). Buie also turned the ball over six times. On defense, Michigan was able to shoot 52% from the floor, including 45% from behind the arc. Those defensive numbers will have to improve against Wisconsin. Northwestern is 14th in the Big Ten (which has 14 teams) in shooting percentage (38.9%). They are second in field goal defense (39.6%), but improved shooting would go a long way to help the Wildcats contend for a conference title and earn a slot in the Big Dance. Wisconsin to cover.
Kansas Jayhawks (+1.5) at Baylor Bears (O/U 149.5) (9:00 pm ET)
Kansas (16-3) started out 16-1, with their only loss coming to then-#22 Tennessee, but they dropped Big 12 games to Kansas State and TCU last week, and this week isn’t much easier, with a trip to Baylor and a date with Kentucky on Saturday. The loss to TCU was particularly concerning as the Horned Frogs opened up a 37-15 advantage after just 11 minutes. Forward Jalen Wilson was a bright spot for Kansas in the losses, scoring a combined 68 points in the two games. He leads the team with 21.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. This is a young team, though, and a trip to Waco may not be the best place to expect a turnaround.
Baylor (14-5) started out 10-2, only losing to Virginia and Marquette. They started conference play 0-3, though, before turning things around to win four in a row. They beat Oklahoma on Saturday despite trailing most of the game, but Jalen Bridges nailed the winning three-ball with 1:25 in regulation, and Adam Flagler made a shot from distance to salt away the victory. Bridges now has double figures in points in five straight games. Baylor has an all-time record of 8-35 against Kansas, but the teams have split their last six meetings. Baylor is ninth in the nation in offensive rebounding percentage, and the team’s top scorer is freshman guard Keyonte George (17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists per game). Baylor to win and cover.
College Basketball Betting Odds
Love betting NCAA basketball? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date college basketball lines
