Free College Basketball Picks Tuesday, January 21 and Opening Line Report

by Jason Radowitz - 1/20/2020

Tuesday's ranked college basketball slate features a couple rivalry games between Kansas and Kansas State along with Georgia and Kentucky . However, the most intriguing matchup and game on Tuesday's slate will be a 13-ranked Butler visiting No. 9-ranked Villanova in a ranked Big East matchup. I've also picked out a couple upsets that could happen on Tuesday and break down whether San Diego State will get their 20th win of the season against Wyoming. Here are the early lean's for Tuesday ranked slate!

Kansas State @ (3) Kansas (-17, 126.5)

Kansas State just upset West Virginia at home after losing four straight in the Big 12. Kansas, on the other hand, is 14-3 and last lost against the number one team in the nation, Baylor. The Jayhawks answered that loss with back-to-back wins on the road against Texas and Oklahoma. Now Kansas will be home facing a rival in Kansas State. Kansas State has not won a road game in Big 12 play this season, and the trend should continue in this one with a double-digit, 20-point win for Kansas.

Key trends: Jayhawks are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win.

Early lean: Kansas, Over

(13) Butler @ (9) Villanova (-2.5, 129)

Butler went from 15-1 to 15-3 in what feels like seconds. The Bulldogs lost to Seton Hall and DePaul in back-to-back games. And with a loss to Villanova, Butler could drop out of the Top 25 and start hitting the panic button. Villanova has won four straight games after defeating UConn at home, 61-55. The Wildcats defense has been showcased through these last four games. Butler's defense is one of the best defenses in the nation, while Villanova is starting to prove their defense. Look for a low-scoring game and a win for Butler on the road, in what seems like a must win for the Bulldogs. Villanova will drop this one at home.

Key trends: Bulldogs are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Early lean: Butler, Under

Georgia @ (15) Kentucky (-10.5, 142.5)

Georgia is coming into this game after losing three of their last four games and has already lost to Kentucky once this season, losing to the Wildcats on January 7, 78-69. Georgia was home for this game. Kentucky will be home now. Kentucky lost a really bad one to South Carolina on the road but responded with a win over a very surprising Arkansas team on the road. Kentucky's defense will be a factor in this one. Georgia tends to get into spurts where they can't find offense. Kentucky's defense has been pretty consistent this season, and they should help drag Kentucky to the finish line at home. They'll get the win here by 10+.

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

Early lean: Kentucky, Under

(17) Maryland @ Northwestern (+7.5, 129.5)

Maryland is different on the road. The Terps have lost their last two on the road in Big Ten play and averaged 51.5 points in their last two road games. Northwestern stayed with a ranked Illinois team their last time out, losing 75-71 on the road. It's something about road games for Maryland. They get off to shaky starts and don't play up to their expectations. Take Northwestern as home underdogs.

Key trends: Under is 20-8-1 in Wildcats last 29 games following a ATS win.

Early lean: Northwestern, Under

(21) Illinois @ Purdue (-6.5, 125)

Illinois is on a four-game winning streak, defeating Purdue, Wisconsin, Rutgers, and Northwestern. Three of those games were at home. In that Purdue game, Illinois shut Purdue down to 37 points in the entire game. The score was 63-37 and it was an absolute shocker. Do you want to hear another shocker? Purdue defeated a top-ranked Michigan State team, 71-42 at home a week later. In Illinois lone win on the road, they defeated Wisconsin by one. Take Purdue to win this game. Disregard the last game. Adjustments will be made. Purdue will shoot better and it'll be a much closer game this time around. Purdue at home. Just do it.

Key trends: Boilermakers are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

Early lean: Purdue, Over

(18) Texas Tech @ TCU (+1, 125.5)

Texas Tech had lost two games back-to-back to Baylor and West Virginia but responded with wins over Kansas State and Iowa State. TCU has taken back-to-back losses on the road against West Virginia and Oklahoma, allowing an average of 82 points in those games. Texas Tech averages more points than TCU and allows less while also shooting a higher percentage from the field. If TCU's defense continues to allow 80-pieces, Texas Tech will come through with another easy victory.

Key trends: Red Raiders are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games as a favorite of 0.5-6.5.

Early lean: Texas Tech, Over

Miami @ (8) Duke (-18.5, 149)

Duke has now dropped two in a row to Clemson and Louisville, while Miami has also lost two straight. This is new territory for Duke as they've allowed an average of 79 points in their last two games. Duke's average points against is 64. That's where Miami will likely sit when this game is over. Duke averages 82.6 points per game and should win this one by at least 20. There's no more games for this Duke team. They're unhappy right now.

Key trends: Blue Devils are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.

Early lean: Duke, Over

Wyoming @ (4) San Diego State (-23, 118)

San Diego State is 19-0 and looking to win 20 straight games against a Wyoming team that is 5-15 and has lost six straight games. Oh, and SDSU will be home. The Aztecs will win this game, but I also believe they'll win against the spread too. SDSU has allowed an average of 56.8 points per game in their last four, and Wyoming averages near 60 points a game. But honestly, it's a big enough spread to stay away from. I wouldn't bet this game as there are plenty of other games with great value over this one. Don't sweat this game out.

Key trends: Aztecs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.

Early lean: SDSU, Under

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