Free College Basketball Picks Thursday, January 16 and Opening Line Report

by Jason Radowitz - 1/15/2020

There's just four games on the ranked college basketball slate for Thursday night. Cincinnati will look to improve their winning streak to three games on the road at Memphis while Colorado is a road favorite against Arizona State . The No. 1 team in the nation, Gonzaga, can't get caught looking ahead while taking on a dangerous Santa Clara team. Here's the early leans for the four ranked games for Thursday.

Cincinnati @ (22) Memphis (-5, 140)

Cincinnati is on a two-game winning streak after defeating Tulsa and UCF. The Bearcats are 3-1 in conference play and have turned their season around in the early portion of conference play. Memphis started the season 12-1 but fell to Georgia and Wichita State before finally getting back into the win column with a win on the road at USF. Memphis should be able to squeak this game out with a better shooting percentage and more rebounds.

Key trends: Tigers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

Early lean: Memphis, Over

(8) Oregon @ Washington State (-10, 139.5)

Oregon has won four of their last five games, with the only loss coming to Colorado. Oregon enjoyed two home wins in their last two games with wins over Arizona and Arizona State. Now the Fighting Ducks will go back on the road to face a Washington State team that has lost two straight road games to California and Stanford. Washington State took a miserable loss to Stanford, losing 88-62. Oregon is going to win this game, but the question is how much. The answer is probably by 10-15 points.

Key trends: Ducks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.

Early lean: Oregon

(20) Colorado @ Arizona State (+2.5, 139)

Colorado has been underlooked this season. Ok, maybe not completely overlooked at 20th in the nation, but they've played some really good basketball as of late. Colorado has won four of their last five games, with the one loss coming against Oregon State. Colorado just destroyed Utah, 91-52 at home. Colorado enjoyed a long homestand but will now travel to Arizona State. Arizona State forgot what it's like to play at home after playing three straight conference games on the road. At home, Arizona State fell to a ranked Creighton team 67-60 in late December and defeated Georgia by 20 at home earlier in the season. Arizona State could knock off Colorado in Tempe. Watch out!

Key trends: Sun Devils are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up loss.

Early lean: Arizona State

Santa Clara @ (1) Gonzaga (TBD, TBD)

Gonzaga is on a 10-game winning streak right now. It's just not fair that Gonzaga gets to play in the West Coast Conference, even though they do schedule a solid nonconference schedule. However, Santa Clara is 15-3 on the year and could potentially upset Gonzaga, at home. But don't get your hopes up, it's highly unlikely. Santa Clara lost to San Francisco and then defeated St. Mary's on the road. Gonzaga has had some cupcake victories but this one will be far from a cupcake win. It's tough to play at McCarthey Athletic Center but if Santa Clara can tune out the noise, they can at least cover the spread.

Key trends: Broncos are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.

Early lean: Santa Clara, Over

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Free College Basketball Picks Thursday, January 16 and Opening Line Report

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