Free College Basketball Picks Wednesday 1/22/2020 and Opening Line Report

by Jason Radowitz - 1/21/2020

In Wednesday's ranked college basketball slate, two New Jersey teams look to stay hot in conference play. Rutgers is ranked for the first time since 1979, while Seton Hall looks to stay undefeated in the Big East. This is going to be a fun night. Here are the early leans for the six-game slate.

Georgia Tech @ (6) Louisville (TBD, TBD)

Georgia Tech has played well in their last five games. The Yellow Jackets knocked off North Carolina before people realized how bad the Tar Heels were, then lost to Duke by nine, beat Boston College by 19, lost to Notre Dame by four and also lost to Virginia by five. You get the point, Georgia Tech has stayed in games and played well in the ACC, even if the games haven't been won. Here's the problem for the Yellow Jackets. The Louisville Cardinals have played much better and are on a four-game winning streak after defeating Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, and Duke on the road. Playing at Louisville is extremely difficult. Take Louisville.

Key trends: Cardinals are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 home games.

Early lean: Louisville, Under

St. Bonaventure @ (7) Dayton (-15.5, 136)

Dayton had a come-from-behind win over Saint Louis, winning 78-76 in overtime. That win added to Dayton's six-game winning streak. It's now at seven. However, St. Bonaventure has been a tough out this season . The Bonnies lost to VCU on the road, 91-63, but before that St. Bonaventure enjoyed four straight wins with excellent defense. Dayton is going to fall soon, and St. Bonaventure could be that team to get the upset. In all honesty, an upset likely won't happen, but an upset against the spread is likely as long as St. Bonaventure brings the defensive intensity back that went missing against VCU.

Key trends: Bonnies are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a straight up loss.

Early lean: St. Bonaventure, Under

South Carolina @ (16) Auburn (-10.5, 143.5)

How things have changed in the SEC… South Carolina has won back-to-back games against Kentucky and Texas A&M, while Auburn, a team that started the season 15-0, has lost two straight in SEC play on the road against Alabama and Florida. These two losses weren't even close, and it's a reality check for Auburn. This team still hasn't won a single game against a Top-25 team, but a home game against a South Carolina team could be what the doctor ordered. Auburn should get back to its early self and score 80+ points like they used to. When Auburn reaches 80 points, they win games. There are no good trends for Auburn. Hoeever, the fact of the matter is, they won't let this game slip. Old Auburn will return.

Key trends: Tigers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss.

Early lean: Auburn, Over

Providence @ (10) Seton Hall (-10, 136.5)

Seton Hall has been an exciting team all season. Since the loss to Rutgers, Seton Hall can't be stopped in the Big East. They're now 6-0 and will play a Providence team that is 4-2 and in third place in the Big East. This is a big conference game for both teams. Providence took a loss to Creighton on the road last time out but won their previous two games on the road against DePaul and Marquette, by one point each. Seton Hall shoots almost five percent better from the floor than Providence. And with the Pirates at home, I don't see how that can change. Take the Pirates for win number nine of the win streak.

Key trends: Pirates are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

Early lean: Seton Hall, Over

(24) Rutgers @ (19) Iowa (-5, 138.5)

I'm writing about Rutgers in a ranked basketball preview article. Rutgers hasn't been ranked since before 1980! Rutgers has got it done with their defense. The Scarlet Knights have allowed 58.7 points per game and have played some tough matchups in the Big Ten. Iowa, for example, allows 69.7 points per game. But not only does Rutgers play extremely well defensively, their offense has been the best the program has seen in a while. Rutgers averages 71 points a game and shoots 46 percent from the floor. Rutgers has their way defensively and should hold Iowa to a close game. Take Rutgers as the underdog.

Key trends: Scarlet Knights are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as an underdog.

Early lean: Rutgers, Under

(20) Memphis @ Tulsa (+3.5, 133.5)

This is the battle of two teams fighting for first place in the American Athletic Conference. Memphis has won two straight, while Tulsa has won three straight. Tulsa's last loss came on the road against Cincinnati, losing 75-44. Tulsa has since turned it around against the mid to bottom tier of the conference. Memphis does everything better than Tulsa. The Tigers average more points, allow less points, shoot a higher percentage and bring down five more rebounds a game. Tulsa has just enjoyed an easy schedule at this point. Take Memphis on the road.

Key trends: Golden Hurricane are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Wednesday games.

Early lean: Memphis, Over

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Free College Basketball Picks Wednesday 1/22/2020 and Opening Line Report

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