This is the first Saturday with a seemingly unlimited amount of conference games. It’s about to be a movie! Here are three best bets according to our AI Model for some of today’s biggest matchups in college basketball.
Picks Summary
- Auburn -18 (-110) at Bet365
- Oklahoma +12.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook
- Texas A&M ML (-260) at Caesars Sportsbook
Missouri Tigers vs. Auburn Tigers
Saturday, January 04, 2025 – 04:00 PM ET at Neville Arena
The AI Model thinks Auburn will add an 87-68 win over Missouri in tonight’s SEC matchup. Meanwhile, you can find Auburn at -18 via Bet365. That’s the way to go here.
Can Missouri Get Any Stops?
The Auburn Tigers are currently ranked No. 1 in college basketball in adjusted offensive efficiency. The Tigers have shot 37.1% from three and 61.3% from inside the arc.
Ultimately, Auburn takes many threes. That should be a good thing, knowing Missouri has watched opposing teams shoot over 33% from downtown this season.
Auburn should also be electric on the glass. The Tigers have earned 36.2% of offensive rebounds and will face a Missouri team allowing 33% of offensive rebounds.
Auburn Needs To Limit Missouri Inside
The Missouri Tigers have shot 60.5% from inside the arc. However, Auburn has limited teams to 42% from inside the arc.
This will be an interesting battle between the two teams. That said, Auburn doesn’t try and force turnovers. Auburn stays true to itself and stays in front of offenses. The Auburn Tigers don’t get out of position on defense. That should help them keep Missouri below their season averages on offense.
I like Auburn in a rout. Let’s take Auburn at -18 and rock with the AI Model.
NCAAB Pick: Auburn -18 (-110) at Bet365 (check our Bet365 Review)
Oklahoma Sooners vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Saturday, January 04, 2025 – 06:00 PM ET at Coleman Coliseum
The AI Model likes Oklahoma to cover a 12.5-point spread at Caesars with a 12-point loss on the road against Alabama. Oklahoma is undefeated this season but double-digit underdogs in its first SEC game. I’ll buy Oklahoma with the Model here.
Oklahoma Must Continue To Limit Turnovers!
The Oklahoma Sooners are undefeated and have shot lights out from the floor. The Sooners have nailed a 56.8% effective field goal percentage and have added 36.7% from three, 58.3% from inside, and an 81.9% free throw rate.
Alabama will defend and make things difficult. However, the Crimson Tide aren’t great at forcing turnovers. If Oklahoma can keep turnovers down, they’ll position themselves well to at least cover here.
Defending The Three
Alabama loves to take threes. The Crimson Tide have added nearly 35% of points from downtown but have only shot 31.7% this season.
Oklahoma has limited opponents to 27.1% from three. That’s where the Sooners can beat Alabama. If Alabama continues to miss at a high rate, Oklahoma should at least stay in the game to cover a double-digit lead.
I don’t know if Oklahoma will stay undefeated, but I like its chances of at least covering a double-digit spread tonight.
NCAAB Pick: Oklahoma +12.5 (-110) at Caesars Sportsbook (check our Caesars Sportsbook Review)
Texas Longhorns vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Saturday, January 04, 2025 – 08:00 PM ET at Reed Arena
The AI Model predicts Texas A&M will beat Texas at home, 73-67. A six-point win means there’s value in just backing the Aggies at -260 NCAAB odds on the moneyline.
Can Texas Sustain Its Offense?
The Texas Longhorns are one of the nation’s best shooting teams. They have hit 41.5% from downtown and 57.4% from inside the arc, which leads them to the nation’s second-highest effective field goal percentage.
That said, Texas has only grabbed 31.2% of offensive rebounds and doesn’t have a super high offensive rebounding percentage.
In addition, the Aggies have limited teams to 28.8% from deep and 45.6% from inside the arc. It’s hard to imagine Texas shooting as well on the road in Aggie Land.
The Aggies Work On The Glass
The Texas A&M recipe doesn’t work for many teams. But it works for them, and that’s all that matters.
The Aggies don’t really shoot the ball well. However, they’re No. 1 in the nation in offensive rebounding and quickly get to the foul line. The additional second chances and free passes at the foul line will be helpful in this game.
Give me the Aggies at -260 on the moneyline. Home teams typically crush in conference play.
NCAAB Pick: Texas A&M ML (-260) at Caesars Sportsbook
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