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Free College Basketball Picks Wednesday 1/29/2020 and Opening Line Report


by Jason Radowitz - 1/28/2020

Romeo Weems Depaul Blue Demons

College basketball on a Wednesday is almost as good as college basketball on a Saturday. It's the middle of the week where most conference will play their games. Wednesday's 11-game slate features a ton of potential upsets and plenty of exciting ranked matchups. There are no matchups between two ranked opponents, but there are plenty of games between conference games that matter in terms of rankings and seedings. Here are the early leans for Wednesday's action.

DePaul vs. Seton Hall 1/29/20 (-10.5, 143)

Seton Hall leads the Big East with an undefeated record. That undefeated record started with a win at DePaul on New Year's Eve. Fast forward to the end of January, and Seton Hall is in a prime position to take the top seed of the Big East when tournament play comes around. However, it's still too early to make any assumptions. DePaul has slithered their way down to the bottom of the Big East and have lost four of their last five games. The last two losses were home against St John's and Creighton. The spread is going to be hefty at home, but Seton Hall's fan base will be out and make it known. Take the Pirates to beat up on DePaul.

Key trends: Pirates are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 home games.

Early lean: Seton Hall, Under

Vanderbilt vs. Kentucky 1/29/20 (-20, 142.5)

Vandy has lost seven straight games. And if you think they have any chance to walk into Rupp Arena and defeat Kentucky, you're out of your mind. The question is if they can cover against the spread. That answer is also, no. Vanderbilt just lost to South Carolina on the road, 90-64, and have lost their last five games by at least 15 points. Kentucky should win by 25.

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

Early lean: Kentucky, Under

Northwestern vs. Michigan State 1/29/20 (-17, 140.5)

Northwestern has seen their leads vanish in the first half going into the second half in their last couple of games. Northwestern has now lost four straight games and figure to have no shot at beating a hungry Michigan State team. The reality is, Michigan State hasn't played their best basketball. They've traded wins for losses in the Big Ten and have been very inconsistent for a team that was once ranked as the No. 1 team. Michigan State should get a complete game out of this team against Northwestern. It'll be a blowout win for the Spartans.

Key trends: Spartans are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

Early lean: Michigan State, Over

Dayton vs. Duquesne 1/29/20 (+7.5, 139.5)

Duquesne is 15-4 on the year. That looks real good, except for the fact that the Dukes have now lost two straight games in A-10 play on the road against URI and UMass. Dayton is on a nine-game winning streak but can sometimes struggle against the spread on the road. Duquesne's last two losses will actually favor them against the spread, knowing those two losses will be taken into account. Let's get risky and take Duquesne at home.

Key trends: Dukes are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.

Early lean: Duquesne, Over

Houston vs. East Carolina 1/29/20 (+13.5, 140)

If the AAC made sense, picking these games would be so much easier. But it doesn't. And it's hard. Houston has won four straight games but will have to go on the road to take on Eastern Carolina. ECU is 3-4 in conference play and 8-3 at home this season straight up. Houston is 4-2 on the road straight up but 6-1 in conference play. ECU's losses have been double-digit blowouts but their latest win over Tulane was a 19-point win at home. Eastern Carolina has played better at home, and I believe they'll be able to keep this game close towards the end. Take the home underdogs.

Key trends: Pirates are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.

Early lean: East Carolina, Over

Alabama vs. LSU 1/29/20 (-5, 162.5)

LSU is on an eight-game winning streak. They're undefeated in SEC play and are finally ranked. Well deserved. LSU has had a history of letting big leads fade away and then winning at the last second. With Alabama on a four-game winning streak and playing some really good basketball, that'll likely happen again. LSU will go out to an early lead and let it disappear and then make it hard and win anyway. It's the LSU way. So therefore, take Alabama. And when LSU takes the early lead, don't panic.

Key trends: Crimson Tide are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Early lean: Alabama, Over

West Virginia vs. Texas Tech 1/29/20 (-2, 128.5)

Texas Tech was ranked just a week ago. But back-to-back losses to TCU and Kentucky dropped them out of the conversation, at least for now. With a win over West Virginia, they're right back in the Top 25 mix. WVU made a couple statements in their last two games with an offensive explosion against Texas and a 23-point win against Missouri. Both of these games were home. This is a great matchup for Texas Tech. They're both incredible defensive teams and average around the same points per game. Texas Tech, at home, will come out with something to prove and give WVU a run for their money.

Key trends: Mountaineers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.

Early lean: Texas Tech, Under

Indiana vs. Penn State 1/29/20 (-4.5, 145)

Penn State is a new face back in the top 25 list. With wins over Ohio State and Michigan, Penn State will be looking for their third straight victory. Indiana had won two straight before dropping a one-point loss to Maryland at home. It's crazy how quickly people forget that Penn State had lost three straight games before their last two. Indiana has played better basketball and are likely the better team Wednesday.

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

Early lean: Indiana, Under

Baylor vs. Iowa State 1/29/20 (+4.5, 141.5)

No game is easy as the No. 1 team. A struggling Iowa State is a big concern for Baylor. They can't look past this game. Baylor has won 16 straight games, and they're bound to lose a game soon. Iowa State actually scores more points a game than Baylor. Baylor's been great defensively. However, if Iowa State gets going offensively, this game could go down to the wire. Iowa State has scored an average of 79 points in their last two games. If Iowa State is able to score more than 75 points, they will win this game. Take Iowa State as the road underdogs.

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

Early lean: Iowa State, Over

San Diego State vs. New Mexico 1/29/20 (+10, 144)

Like Baylor, San Diego State is bound to lose at some point. They're pulling off the unthinkable. 21-0 to start the season. I don't care what conference you play in or which teams you've played. 21-0 in Division I college basketball is ridiculous. That being said, this won't go on for much longer, and New Mexico's offense could be a big problem for the SDSU defense. New Mexico is averaging 80 points per game, while San Diego State allows 57.2 points per game. New Mexico shoots almost 50 percent from the floor, too. You can pick your poison. San Diego State's defense on the road or New Mexico's offense at home. I'm riding the offense with New Mexico, at least against the spread.

Key trends: Lobos are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a straight up loss.

Early lean: New Mexico, Over

Louisville vs. Boston College 1/29/20 (-12, 132.5)

Louisville is on a six-game win streak and will take on a Boston College team that finally snapped a long losing streak over Virginia Tech. BC took double-digit losses to Georgia Tech, Syracuse, and Wake Forest. Louisville is way better than these teams and much more prepared. Louisville will likely win this game by double digits and cover the spread.

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

Early lean: Louisville, Over

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