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Free College Basketball Picks Tuesday, January 14 and Opening Line Report


by Jason Radowitz - 1/13/2020

Ohio State Buckeyes forward Andre Wesson

Tuesday college basketball's ranked slate features some great power five basketball. Wisconsin will be considered favorites against a ranked Maryland team , while Ohio State, riding a four-game losing streak, are 18-point favorites against Nebraska at home. Here are the early leans for the 10-game ranked slate in college basketball.

Nebraska @ (11) Ohio State (-18, 138)

At the beginning of the season, Ohio State became one of the top teams in the nation by destroying their nonconference slate. However, the Buckeyes have had a lot of problems in Big Ten play, losing four straight games and three straight Big Ten games. This is the same team that beat Kentucky not too long ago. Nebraska is coming off a loss at Northwestern, and many would say that Northwestern is the worst team in the Big Ten this year. Every game, I want to say that Ohio State will return to their old form . They're just too talented not to. Ohio State allows an average of 59.4 points against per game and should hold Nebraska somewhere in that range in this one at home.

Key trends: Buckeyes are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

Early lean: Ohio State, Under

(2) Duke @ Clemson (+10.5, 135.5)

Clemson has won two straight after a major upset against a short-handed North Carolina team in overtime. Clemson stunned North Carolina with a 79-76 overtime win, but at this point we know North Carolina hasn't been good this season. This is a Clemson team that lost to Yale not too long ago at home by scoring just 45 points. Duke averages 83.8 points per game, while Clemson averages 68.7 points per game. Duke will outscore Clemson all game for the major victory. After all, the Blue Devils are on a nine-game winning streak.

Key trends: Blue Devils are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win.

Early lean: Duke, Over

(13) Louisville @ Pittsburgh (-5.5, 129.5)

After losing back-to-back games against Kentucky and Florida State, Louisville has come back to life with a two-game winning streak against Miami and on the road against Notre Dame. Louisville will dominate the middle group of the ACC, and Pittsburgh fits into that group. The Panthers have already lost to Wake Forest and Miami, although Pittsburgh also beat UNC on the road. Louisville and Pittsburgh allow the same amount of points per game, except Louisville averages nine more points, shoots 46.6 percent from the field and brings down 40.2 rebounds. All of these stats are better than Pittsburgh and will help lead to the road victory.

Key trends: Cardinals are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games as a favorite.

Early lean Louisville, Over

VCU @ (15) Dayton (TBD, TBD)

VCU was on a three-game winning streak until it was snapped on Saturday at home against Rhode Island. Dayton has won their last five games, almost all double-digit blowouts, but the competition hasn't been close to what VCU brings to the table. However, VCU's average of 70.9 points per game and 60.9 points against won't be enough to bring down a Dayton team that shoots over 52 percent from the floor and tallies 19 assists as a team. Dayton will out-score VCU at home.


Key trends: Flyers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

Early lean: Dayton, Over

(22) Texas Tech @ Kansas State (TBD, TBD)

After Texas Tech's last two games, it's likely they're about to fall out of the Top 25. After a loss to the Baylor Bears, the Red Raiders responded with another ranked loss to West Virginia on the road. At this point, Texas Tech has a must-win game against Kansas State. Kansas State is 7-8 on the year and have lost three straight to the middle of the Big 12. Although the Wildcats have been in these games, Texas Tech's defense will look sharp. They have to have the mindset that this is a must win. And they will.

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

Early lean: Texas Tech, Under

DePaul @ (16) Villanova (-10.5, 139.5)

DePaul had a tremendous start to the season. All of that has faded with three straight losses in the Big East against Seton Hall, Providence, and St. John's. Now they take on Villanova on the road, and it's going to start becoming difficult for DePaul. Villanova has won four of their last five games, with the lone loss coming against Marquette on the road. They've proved they can win any type of game this season with a 64-59 win over Creighton and an 80-66 point game against Georgetown. DePaul was hyped for their start to the season, but it wasn't expected. Now they're going to fall where expectations were. They're not that good.

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

Early lean: Villanova, Over

(3) Kansas @ Oklahoma (TBD, TBD)

Kansas just had a let-down loss to Baylor at home, 67-55. Kansas will drop from the three spot in the polls, but they're still a top 10 team. Oklahoma was reeling with four straight victories before running into Iowa State on the road. Oklahoma had wins over Kansas State and Texas before the Iowa State loss. Kansas is shooting over 50 percent from the floor and allow eight points fewer than Oklahoma. Kansas will find their rhythm on the road and start a new winning streak.

Key trends: Jayhawks are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as a favorite.

Early lean: Kansas, Over

(12) Maryland @ Wisconsin (-2, 124.5)

After winning three straight games at home, Maryland dropped one in Iowa for an 18-point loss. Maryland has lost their last two road games and Wisconsin could make it three. Wisconsin is coming off a road-win against a (likely) overrated Penn State team. Wisconsin has played much better basketball as of late, winning four of their last five games. The one loss was to Illinois at home, 71-70 in a thriller. Maryland will be able to out-rebound Wisconsin. However, if Wisconsin shoots above average, they should have a real chance at winning this game. Take Wisconsin at home.

Key trends: Terrapins are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Early lean: Wisconsin, Over

TCU @ (17) West Virginia (-9.5, 128.5)

TCU has been a bit surprising as of late with four straight victories and three of them in Big 12 play. TCU's last two games have been low-scoring performances. Both teams love low-scoring affairs, with TCU allowing 60.2 points against and WVU allowing 59.9 points against. They also both score just above 71 points per game. TCU shoots a little better from the floor and if they can continue that trend, TCU will pull off the upset.

Key trends: Mountaineers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.

Early lean: West Virginia, Under

(7) San Diego State @ Fresno State (-9, 127)

It's too early to talk about undefeated seasons, but San Diego State has looked so good this season, it's hard to ask yourself, "why not?" Fresno State has lost four of their last five games and don't seem like a threat to San Diego State, even at home. San Diego State is allowing 57 points per game and averaging 75.9 points offensively, shooting 46.9 percent from the floor. San Diego State previously defeated Fresno State at home, 61-52. Expect the same results.

Key trends: Aztecs are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 road games.

Early lean: San Diego State, Under

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