Several teams took jumps last week in the national power rankings. Creighton took down Xavier in fine fashion, while Missouri may have pulled off the biggest surprise by routing Iowa State in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. Baylor beat Kansas and Arkansas, two teams headed for the Big Dance. USC avenged their earlier loss to UCLA by coming back from down 12 at the half, using a 25-3 run shortly after intermission to run away with the game behind 31 points and six assists from Boogie Ellis. With four wins in their last five, USC is now the third-best team in the Pac-12. Read on to find our top two NCAA Basketball betting picks.
NCAA News: Top College Basketball Bets for January 30
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Virginia Cavaliers (-5.5) at Syracuse Orange (O/U 132.5) (7:00 pm ET)
Virginia (16-3) looks to make it six wins overall and three road wins in a row when they head to Syracuse after beating Boston College, 76-57. The Cavaliers score 70.6 points per game and shot 50.8% from the floor against BC, behind 18 points and seven boards from Armaan Franklin and 18 points and six boards from Jayden Gardner. Isaac McKneely also hit double figures with 12 points and four rebounds.
Syracuse (13-9) enters on a two-game skid, including an 85-70 loss to Virginia Tech in their last game. The Orange score 75 points per game, and in their loss to Virginia Tech, Judah Mintz was the top scorer with 21 points to go along with eight assists. Justin Taylor added a dozen points and two rebounds, and Maliq Brown chipped in 11 points and six boards. The vaunted Syracuse 2-3 zone defense has only permitted 70.7 points per game, but the Hokies cracked it for 85 last time out. Can the Orange find their defense? Syracuse to cover.
Iowa State Cyclones (-1.5) at Texas Tech Red Raiders (O/U 129.5) (9:00 pm ET)
Iowa State (15-5) fell to #12 in the AP Top 25 after that loss to Missouri, as the Tigers rolled to a 78-61 win. That was the most points the Cyclones had permitted all season long, as Missouri went 14 of 30 from behind the arc. Iowa State was led by 19 points from Jaren Holmes and 14 from Gabe Kalscheur. The loss to Missouri did not come in conference play, so the Cyclones still sit in a three-way tie atop the Big 12, knotted with Texas and Kansas State at 6-2. They are fifth in the Big 12 in field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage, and they lead the conference in scoring defense.
Texas Tech (11-10) won at LSU and looks to continue that momentum with their first Big 12 win. They beat the Tigers on the road, 76-68, to end an eight-game skid. Kerwin Walton knocked down five three-balls, and Kevin Obanor led the Red Raiders with 22 points. Texas Tech is 8-4 when playing in Lubbock this season but are just the seventh-highest scoring team in the Big 12. Forward Fardaws Almaq (foot) is questionable, as is guard Pop Isaacs (ankle). Iowa State to win and cover.
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