Free College Basketball Picks Saturday, January 18 and Opening Line Report

by Jason Radowitz - 1/17/2020

There's no more college football, which means Saturdays are now reserved for college basketball. There are 20 games on the ranked college basketball slate. I've put together early leans for the Top 10. If you look at the game selection, most ranked teams are on the road in conference play, which likely means there will be quite a few upsets. Check below to see which upsets have been predicted. Here are the early leans for Saturday's ranked basketball action.

(1) Gonzaga @ BYU (TBD, TBD)

Gonzaga surprises me day in and day out. The Bulldogs just defeated Santa Clara, a 15-3 team, 104-54 at home. That's it. Gonzaga won't lose another game this season by less than 10. I'm on the Gonzaga train. They're incredible and deep. They average 88.7 points per game and allow 66.7 points per game. Gonzaga averages 20-point wins regularly.

Key trends: Bulldogs are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

Early lean: Gonzaga, Over

(2) Baylor @ Oklahoma State (+4.5, 126)

Baylor has won 13 straight games and will face off against an Oklahoma State team that has dropped four straight. If anything, this could be a trap game. But talent tells me otherwise. Baylor allows 57.9 points per game, while Oklahoma State struggles to do much offensively, scoring 40-50 points per game consistently. No slip up here. Take Baylor to win big.

Key trends: Bears are 35-17-2 ATS in their last 54 road games.

Early lean: Baylor, Under

(11) Louisville @ (3) Duke (TBD, TBD)

The game of the day goes to Duke and Louisville. Since losing two straight, the Cardinals have now won three straight games in the ACC, while Duke is coming off an embarrassing loss on the road at Clemson. It'll be interesting to see how Duke responds. For Duke, it was likely a reality check and they'll get this win by 10 points as they defend better and shoot better from the field.

Key trends: Blue Devils are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

Early lean: Duke, Under

(4) Auburn @ Florida (TBD, TBD)

Auburn was 15-0 before Alabama defeated them at home. Auburn hasn't played a top-25 team yet this season, and they will not be the 4th best team in a couple days. But still, Florida's a good test for Auburn on the road. The Gators have won four of their last five games and are coming off a 71-55 win over Ole Miss. This game will prove to us who Auburn really is. Are they good enough to be a Top-25 team or was it all just a fluke? I'm taking Florida at home in this one.

Key trends: Gators are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as an underdog.

Early lean: Florida, Under

(5) Butler @ DePaul (-3, 129.5)

DePaul started the season extremely hot. Welcome back to reality. DePaul has lost four straight games and is now 12-5 on the year. DePaul is having trouble winning games in the Big East and will not be one of the top teams in the conference. Butler's defense has been a puzzle that can't be solved and DePaul, like other teams, will struggle to score points. Take Butler in a defensive match-up.

Key trends: Bulldogs are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Early lean: Butler, Under

(6) Kansas @ Texas (TBD, TBD)

Texas is coming off back-to-back victories in the Big 12 with wins over Kansas State and Oklahoma State. Nothing to get excited about. Kansas has been very good this season, with their only loss coming to Baylor in their last five games. Kansas and Texas both play very good defense, but Kansas' offense is what will be the x-factor.

Key trends: Jayhawks are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall.

Early lean: Kansas, Under

Nevada @ (7) San Diego State (TBD, TBD)

The lone undefeated team, San Diego State will take on Nevada at home. Nevada is just 11-7 on the season and have lost two of their last three games. The Aztecs have to lose at some point, but I don't think Nevada has what it takes defensively to stop San Diego State at home. Nevada has been as inconsistent as I've ever seen. San Diego State's record is a good enough track record.

Key trends: Aztecs are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win.

Early lean: San Diego State, Under

(8) Oregon @ Washington (PICK, 132)

Oregon just lost to Washington State, 72-61 and will now play Washington on the road. Washington came up with a huge win over Oregon State, holding Oregon State to just 56 in a 64-56 win at home. Oregon has some concerns right now. They don't have their rotations set and haven't played at the level of expectations. They'll be there by March, but right now, I'd have to roll the dice with Washington to get this win.

Key trends: Ducks are 12-3 ATS in their last 15 road games.

Early lean: Washington, Over

(9) Florida State @ Miami (+6.5, 143.5)

It's a rivalry game! Florida State will take on a really bad Miami team on the road. FSU has won eight straight games and have played even better on the road as of late. Miami has lost three of their last four games but did defeat Clemson before the losing began. Look for Florida State's defense to do the talking and defeat Miami soundly.

Key trends: Seminoles are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS loss.

Early lean: Florida State, Under

(10) Kentucky @ Arkansas (TBD, TBD)

Kentucky just lost a really bad one to South Carolina, 81-78, while Arkansas has played very good basketball this season. Arkansas is 14-2 on the year, and their most recent loss came against LSU on the road by just two points. If Kentucky comes out and plays like they did against South Carolina, the Wildcats won't even have a chance to come back and win this game. Take Arkansas at home.

Key trends: Razorbacks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

Early lean: Arkansas, Over

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