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Saturday’s Top 25 board had a little of everything: one legit shocker, a couple “survive and advance” spots, and several games where the separating factor was bench scoring, rebounding, or a late execution edge. Cincinnati flipping No. 2 Iowa State was the headline, but there were just as many betting lessons in the close-outs and second-half swings. The common theme was simple: runs still rule college hoops, and if you’re late to one, your ticket is in trouble.
Win More, Guess Less
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Latest College Basketball Odds & Lines
Before you handicap anything else, check the board for moneyline, spread, and totals context. The market tends to react hard to ranked results and late-game sequences, so you want the freshest numbers before you lock in anything. Use the latest college basketball odds and scores to see where the lines are sitting right now.
San Francisco Dons
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Washington St Cougars
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Jan 18, 2026 19:00 EST
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-5.00 -106
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+5.00 -106
o+143.50-108
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Houston Cougars
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Arizona St Sun Devils
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Jan 18, 2026 18:30 EST
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+16.50 -106
o+147.50-108
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u+147.50-108
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Memphis Tigers
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UTSA Roadrunners
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Jan 18, 2026 18:00 EST
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o+143.50-108
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u+143.50-108
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College Basketball Picks of the Day
If you’re playing this slate style regularly, you need volume and selectivity at the same time. That’s where tracking picks by capper and filtering by matchup type helps, especially on heavy Saturdays. Start with the free service plays for quick-hit angles and keep it disciplined.
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Top Takeaways
- Cincinnati’s upset was built on bench juice and shot-making. The Bearcats got real production behind the starters, and that’s how you flip a game against a more talented roster.
- Arizona avoided the landmine because it executed late at the line. When a favorite is tight late, free throws become the whole handicap.
- UConn won ugly, which matters. If a team can win while shooting 36.2%, that usually points to defense, rebounding, and game control translating night to night.
- Nebraska’s second-half separation is the profile bettors chase: dominant efficiency after halftime and enough perimeter shot-making to bury a live dog.
- Several wins were basically one decisive play or one decisive run (Purdue’s steal-and-layup, Kentucky’s late steal leading to the go-ahead). These are the games where live bettors either look sharp or feel sick.
College Basketball Game Recaps
Cincinnati vs Iowa State Recap: Cincinnati wins 79-70
Cincinnati shocked No. 2 Iowa State 79-70 at home behind Day Day Thomas (19) and Jizzle James (15). Jalen Celestine gave the bench real pop with four 3s and 12 points, and Baba Miller controlled the glass with 12 rebounds.
The betting takeaway is depth and secondary scoring. Cincinnati’s bench outscored Iowa State’s 20-5, and that’s a massive swing in a game like this. Iowa State still had Milan Momcilovic go nuclear with 34 points on 8-for-14 from deep, but the Cyclones didn’t get enough else, and it’s now two straight losses.
Arizona vs UCF Recap: Arizona wins 84-77
No. 1 Arizona stayed perfect with an 84-77 win at UCF as Jaden Bradley scored 23 and hit big free throws late. Brayden Burries added 18 and Motiejus Krivas posted 17 points and 12 rebounds.
The key here was composure. Arizona avoided the upset with late-game execution at the stripe, and it mattered because UCF got a career-high 30 from Themus Fulks before he fouled out. Koa Peat being limited by foul trouble (career-low four points) and Arizona still winning is a real signal of depth.
UConn vs Georgetown Recap: UConn wins 64-62
No. 3 UConn made it 14 straight with a 64-62 win at Georgetown behind Tarris Reed Jr. (15 points, 11 rebounds). Silas Demary Jr. had 12 and Braylon Mullins and Solo Ball chipped in 11 and 10.
UConn shot just 36.2% and still won, which is usually the kind of result bettors should respect. Georgetown fought with Vince Iwuchukwu (12 points, career-high 14 rebounds) and another 12 from KJ Lewis, but the Hoyas’ skid against ranked teams continued.
Michigan vs Oregon Recap: Michigan wins 81-71
No. 4 Michigan won 81-71 at Oregon as Elliot Cadeau posted 17 points and five assists. Nimari Burnett scored 15, and Aday Mara added 12 with three blocks.
This one reads like a steady road win: Michigan got balanced scoring and enough stops, while Oregon absorbed its fourth straight loss. Sean Stewart led the Ducks with 22 and Kwame Evans Jr. had 18, but Oregon shot 42.2% and never really found a clean offensive answer.
Purdue vs USC Recap: Purdue wins 69-64
No. 5 Purdue escaped USC 69-64 in Los Angeles with Braden Smith’s game-high 22 and one massive late play. Oscar Cluff added 19 points with six boards and four assists.
The turning point was Smith’s steal-and-layup with 23 seconds left, flipping a one-point edge into breathing room. USC had a double-double from Jacob Cofie (13 points, career-high 15 rebounds) and 15 from Chad Baker-Mazara, but the Trojans couldn’t finish the last possession sequence.
Duke vs Stanford Recap: Duke wins 80-50
No. 6 Duke ran Stanford 80-50 as Cameron Boozer went for 30 points and 14 rebounds for his ninth double-double. Isaiah Evans scored 15 and Patrick Ngongba added 13.
This wasn’t close. Duke controlled it wire to wire and Stanford never found the offense to respond. Jeremy Dent-Smith led Stanford with 18, and Ebuka Okorie came back to earth with nine after his 36-point game against North Carolina.
Nebraska vs Northwestern Recap: Nebraska wins 77-58
No. 8 Nebraska rolled Northwestern 77-58 as Pryce Sandfort scored 22 and Braden Frager added 20. Nebraska separated with a dominant second half, shooting 56% after the break and going 6-of-11 from three.
For bettors, the second-half profile is the story. Northwestern got 22 from Nick Martinelli, but the Wildcats stayed winless in Big Ten play (0-7). Nebraska keeping the nation’s longest active win streak alive with a clean road win is what you want from a top-tier favorite.
Gonzaga vs Seattle Recap: Gonzaga wins 71-50
No. 9 Gonzaga beat Seattle 71-50 despite missing its two leading scorers, leaning heavily on its bench for 45 points. Mario Saint-Supery led the way with 20 on 7-for-10 shooting, and Davis Fogle added 13.
The betting angle is depth translating. Gonzaga dominated the second half, and Seattle’s shooting never showed up (35.8% overall, 23.8% from three). When a team can win comfortably without its top scorers, it’s usually a roster-quality signal worth noting.
Florida vs Vanderbilt Recap: Florida wins 98-94
No. 19 Florida upset No. 10 Vanderbilt 98-94 as Rueben Chinyelu posted 20 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks. Xaivian Lee added 20, and Florida got key support from Tommy Haugh (18), Alex Condon (16), and Isaiah Brown (14).
Rebounding and efficiency decided it. Florida won the glass 40-26 and shot 52.5% from the field. Vanderbilt protected the ball with just four turnovers but still lost its second straight, which tells you Florida’s shot quality and second-chance control mattered more than possessions.
Texas Tech vs BYU Recap: Texas Tech wins 84-71
No. 15 Texas Tech beat No. 11 BYU 84-71 at home behind J.T. Toppin’s 27 points and 12 rebounds. Christian Anderson added 22 with seven assists, and LeJuan Watts scored 20.
The takeaway is second-half separation. Toppin scored 17 after the break and Texas Tech stayed perfect at home (10-0). BYU’s 13-game win streak ended even with Robert Wright III dropping 28, because the Cougars didn’t get enough late to match Tech’s balance.
Michigan State vs Washington Recap: Michigan State wins 80-63
No. 12 Michigan State won 80-63 at Washington as Jeremy Fears Jr. scored 19 on 6-for-9 shooting. Kur Teng added 11 and Carson Cooper chipped in 10.
This game stayed within range until late, then Michigan State finally created distance. Washington was within five with 12:58 left before the Spartans pulled away. Zoom Diallo scored 18 and Hannes Steinbach had 17, but Washington couldn’t sustain the push.
Illinois vs Minnesota Recap: Illinois wins 77-67
No. 13 Illinois beat Minnesota 77-67 as Zvonimir Ivisic put up 18 points and nine rebounds. Illinois won its seventh straight with a plus-11 rebounding edge and balanced scoring.
Minnesota made it another back-and-forth game, but Illinois’ rebounding advantage kept the Illini in control. Jaylen Crocker-Johnson led the Gophers with 22 and five 3s, but Minnesota dropped its third straight.
California vs North Carolina Recap: California wins 84-78
California beat No. 14 North Carolina 84-78 in Berkeley behind John Camden’s 20 and Dai Dai Ames’ 19. Justin Pippen added 19 and hit two clutch free throws with 10 seconds left.
This one was about shot-making from deep. Cal hit 14 of 26 from three (53.8%), and that’s how you beat a ranked team even when pressure ramps late. UNC got 17 from Caleb Wilson, plus double figures from Derek Dixon and Henri Veesaar (14 each) and Seth Trimble (12), but the perimeter defense has been leaking.
Virginia vs SMU Recap: Virginia wins 72-68
No. 16 Virginia won 72-68 at SMU as Malik Thomas posted 23 points and 11 rebounds. Thijs De Ridder added 17 and hit key free throws late.
The bettor read is second chances. Virginia turned 16 offensive rebounds into 22 second-chance points, and that’s a brutal gap in a four-point game. SMU got 16 from Jaron Pierre Jr., but it was the Mustangs’ first home loss after starting 11-0.
Georgia vs Arkansas Recap: Georgia wins 90-76
No. 21 Georgia beat No. 17 Arkansas 90-76 as Jeremiah Wilkinson and Blue Cain combined for 38. Wilkinson scored 20 with four threes, and Cain added 18 on 8-for-12 shooting.
Georgia’s supporting cast showed up too, with Kanon Catchings adding 15 and Jake Wilkins 11. Arkansas got 20 from Darius Acuff Jr., but Georgia’s shot-blocking stood out with Somto Cyril’s career-high seven blocks. That kind of rim protection changes how totals play out.
Alabama vs Oklahoma Recap: Alabama wins 83-81
No. 18 Alabama beat Oklahoma 83-81 as Labaron Philon scored 23 and hit key shots late. Alabama outscored Oklahoma 50-37 after halftime despite missing 10 second-half free throws.
This one is a reminder that missed free throws don’t automatically kill you if your shot-making and pace control are right. Oklahoma’s offense wasn’t enough late, even with Brown’s 21 and Reid’s 16 and nine boards. The Sooners’ slide continued with a fourth straight loss.
Louisville vs Pittsburgh Recap: Louisville wins 100-59
No. 20 Louisville steamrolled Pittsburgh 100-59 as Ryan Conwell scored 24, including 17 in the second half. Louisville shot 63.2% from the field and 51.7% from three, both season bests, and posted 24 assists.
This was a pure blowout script. When a team shoots like that and shares it like that, spreads get buried early and totals can get run over quickly. Pittsburgh had only one player in double figures (Brandin Cummings with 11), so there was no real counterpunch.
Clemson vs Miami Recap: Clemson wins 69-59
No. 22 Clemson won its ninth straight, beating Miami 69-59 behind Carter Welling’s 18 points and nine rebounds. Miami’s 10-game win streak ended despite 22 from Shelton Henderson.
The key was Clemson’s steadiness and Miami losing a contributor late when Malik Reneau fouled out with about seven minutes left. Clemson kept getting enough offense from multiple spots (Jestin Porter 11, RJ Godfrey 10) and didn’t let the game get loose.
Grand Canyon vs Utah State Recap: Grand Canyon wins 84-74
Grand Canyon beat No. 23 Utah State 84-74 to snap the Aggies’ eight-game win streak. Brian Moore Jr. and Makaih Williams scored 20 each, and Nana Owusu-Anane added 11 points and 11 rebounds.
This was defense plus efficiency. Grand Canyon shot 50.9% and held Utah State to 36.2%. Utah State still got a huge line from Mason Falslev (25 points, 12 rebounds), but the shooting gap was too much.
Kentucky vs Tennessee Recap: Kentucky wins 80-78
Kentucky stunned No. 24 Tennessee 80-78 in Knoxville with a frantic comeback, capped by Collin Chandler’s late steal leading to Otega Oweh’s breakaway layup. Kentucky took its first lead after trailing by 17 in the first half and held on.
The closing sequence is exactly why live bettors track momentum swings. Denzel Aberdeen scored 18 of his 22 in the second half and hit a crucial layup with 16 seconds left. Tennessee got 24 and eight assists from Ja’Kobi Gillespie, but the four turnovers and the late-game swing play decided it.
Butler vs Seton Hall Recap: Butler wins 77-66
Butler upset No. 25 Seton Hall 77-66 as Finley Bizjack scored 25 and the Bulldogs lived at the line, making 33 free throws. Azavier Robinson added 14 and Michael Ajayi had 13.
This was a whistle-heavy game and it shaped everything. The teams combined for 46 fouls and 66 free throws, and Butler converting 33 of 41 at the stripe was the separator. Seton Hall got 17 from A.J. Staton-McCray, but couldn’t match the parade to the line.
Picks and Handicappers
On Saturdays like this, the edge usually isn’t one magic stat. It’s knowing which games are run-prone, which teams are reliant on bench scoring, and which matchups turn into free-throw contests late. That’s why following multiple sports handicappers matters. You’re not locked into one style, and you can compare how different cappers attack the same board.
If you want more consistent coverage across the full slate, especially when the schedule is packed, the basketball service plays are the best hub to track volume and see who’s actually producing. And if you’re trying to clean up your process, this college basketball betting guide does a good job of keeping the focus on what really moves results in this sport.
Finally, if you’re ready to scale up from dabbling to following a full card, check the pricing packages and pick the level that fits how often you’re betting.
