Top College Basketball Picks for Saturday, January 24

Emerson Raymont

Published: January 24, 2026 10:45 AM ET

As college basketball heats up, January 24 offers an exciting lineup of games. Here are the top picks by expert handicapper Greg Peterson for this Saturday’s matchups.

Top College Basketball Picks for Saturday, January 24

Mercer Bears vs. Wofford Terriers

The Mercer Bears are 15-2 against the spread, making them the top cover team nationally. They face the struggling Wofford Terriers, who rank poorly in both 3-point shooting percentage (41.4% defensively) and overall offensive efficiency. Expect Mercer’s strong interior defense to shine here.

Pick: Mercer -1 and Under 162.5

UNC Wilmington Seahawks vs. Hampton Pirates

UNC Wilmington is a well-rounded team, ranking 53rd in offensive points per possession and 43rd in defensive efficiency. Hampton, however, is at a disadvantage with poor shooting percentages on both ends of the court.

Pick: UNC Wilmington -3.5

Clemson Tigers vs. Georgia Tech Yellowjackets

This matchup presents contrasting styles; Georgia Tech plays fast yet struggles offensively. Clemson’s defense excels at slowing games down, leading to a likely low-scoring affair.

Pick: Clemson vs. Georgia Tech Under 145.5

Hofstra Pride vs. William & Mary Tribe

Hofstra boasts a strong interior defense, ranking 10th nationally in opponent 2-point shooting away from home, while William & Mary will likely struggle against this pressure.

Pick: Hofstra +2.5 and Under 158.5

Niagara Purple Eagles vs. Sacred Heart Pioneers

Niagara faces challenges, ranking 293rd in defensive points per possession. Meanwhile, Sacred Heart looks to capitalize on these weaknesses, bolstered by the return of their top rebounder.

Pick: Sacred Heart -9 and Under 142.5

UMass Lowell River Hawks vs. UMBC Retrievers

UMBC has an edge in 3-point shooting while UMass Lowell has been careless with the ball. This discrepancy could allow UMBC to control the game.

Pick: UMBC -3

West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Arizona Wildcats

Arizona, known for its up-tempo style, faces a strong West Virginia defense. Expect few second-chance opportunities due to both teams’ rebounding capabilities.

Pick: West Virginia +18

Yale Bulldogs vs. Pennsylvania Quakers

Yale excels in points per possession, especially away from home. In contrast, Pennsylvania struggles defensively, particularly in the 2-point shooting category.

Pick: Yale vs. Pennsylvania Over 158.5

Miami Hurricanes vs. Syracuse Orange

The Miami Hurricanes play a quicker tempo and have strong defensive metrics. Syracuse needs to improve its offensive efficiency, particularly in free throw shooting.

Pick: Miami vs. Syracuse Under 150.5

Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles vs. SIU Edwardsville Cougars

SIU Edwardsville’s defense has been effective, while Tennessee Tech struggles offensively. This matchup should result in a low total score.

Pick: Tennessee Tech vs. SIU Edwardsville Under 135.5

St. Peter’s Peacocks vs. Merrimack Warriors

St. Peter’s poses a strong challenge with an effective defense. Merrimack has one of the worst rebounding percentages in Division I basketball.

Pick: St. Peter’s +3 and Under 133.5

Central Florida Knights vs. Colorado Buffaloes

Central Florida ranks highly in 3-point shooting and rebounding, presenting issues for Colorado’s defense. This game may have a higher total due to both teams’ pace.

Pick: Central Florida +2.5 and Over 158.5

TCU Horned Frogs vs. Baylor Bears

TCU’s strong defense could stifle a Baylor team that has seen its scoring drop in recent games. This matchup is likely to be low-scoring.

Pick: TCU +4 and Under 151.5

Santa Clara Broncos vs. San Diego Toreros

This matchup should feature fewer possessions and a focus on defense, leading to a compelling under bet.

Pick: Santa Clara vs. San Diego Under 164.5

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Arizona State Sun Devils

Cincinnati ranks 11th in defensive points allowed, but Arizona State struggles at home. This could prove a favorable matchup for Cincinnati.

Pick: Arizona State +3.5 and Under 150.5

These selections cover vital matchups across the NCAA landscape. As always, careful assessment of team statistics is crucial for making informed betting choices.