Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions: College Hoops Conquers Saturdays

Nate Hornung

Written by: Nate Hornung

Published: Fri Jan 02, 2026, 7:32 pm ET

Read Time: 6 minutes

Mark Pope and Kentucky have a tough task on the road against the Crimson Tide - NCAA Basketball Picks

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College Football is officially over, aside from the CFP Semifinals and National Championship, but now the calendar has turned to January. That means college hoops rules our televisions on Saturdays, and we have quite the slate to decipher. There are 120 NCAA Basketball games tomorrow, so let's get into a few of our expert's favorite picks in the marquee games.

  • NCAA Basketball YTD
  • 76-77 (49.7%)
  • -4.75u
  • Average Odds: -105

Saturday's best bets are below. Keep reading for the analysis.

Go check out what else I've got on my daily card, and view the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks.

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Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions January 3

Kentucky Wildcats vs. #14 Alabama Crimson Tide NCAA Basketball Picks

Labaron Philon and Alabama love to run, and they will do so against Kentucky at home - NCAA Basketball Picks

Labaron Philon and Alabama love to run, and they will do so against Kentucky at home

Best Bet: Kentucky/Alabama Over 172 (-108) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

A classic over spot in this SEC showdown in Tuscaloosa on Saturday. The Wildcats are a top 150 team in pace already, but against speedy opponents away from home they jump up to the top 35, averaging over 73 possessions per game. As for the Tide, they are right there too, ranking No. 17 in the country in tempo, averaging over 74 possessions per game. This game will be played very quickly.

Alabama shoots tons of threes, and do so at a clip of over 35.5%, plus they are actually the most efficient offense at home this year. They've scored at least 90 points in all 10 of their wins, still averaging 80 points per game in their three losses. The Wildcat's defense is not equipped to slow them down, but the offense might be able to keep up.

Alabama is north of 290 in defensive rebounding, a part of the game where Kentucky thrives. Mark Pope's team is top 75 in offensive rebounding, and I think they can add plenty of second chance points for our total, which is only going to get bought up before tip off.

Clemson Tigers vs. Pittsburgh Panthers NCAA Basketball Picks

Clemson takes on Pittsburgh on the road this Saturday in the ACC - NCAA Basketball Picks

Clemson takes on Pittsburgh on the road this Saturday in the ACC

Best Bet: Clemson -3.5 (-111) and Under 135 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

Back the Tigers and the under with me on the road against the Panthers. Clemson is just a few points away from perfection this year, losing all three games by six points or less, and two of those losses were against top 20 teams on Bart Torvik. Now, on the road against a team that is more their pace, I see the Tigers dominating.

Since losing back to back games (but covering both spreads), the Tigers are 4-0 straight up. They like to play slow, ranking bottom 45 in pace, but take great care of the ball, are efficient on offense and play rock solid defense. Clemson doesn't have to score 65 every game, but they'll make sure you don't touch 60 if that's the case. The Tigers are top 30 in adjusted defensive efficiency, eFG% defense and defensive rebounding.

Pittsburgh is slow as well, coming in ranked bottom 25 in pace, so possessions will be low, and points will be at a premium. Ultimately I think the Tigers' offense is better equipped for a low scoring game. They make sure possessions matter. Pittsburgh is north of 250 in free throw rate but it's not like they make them when they get there, shooting just 67% from the stripe as a team. In my eyes, their only hope is getting hot from deep, but Clemson is No. 9 in 3P% defense, holding foes to just 27% from beyond the arc.

Go Tigers.

#19 Tennessee Volunteers vs. #18 Arkansas Razorbacks NCAA Basketball Picks

Darius Acuff Jr. is getting talked about as a top five draft pick next year - NCAA Basketball Picks

Darius Acuff Jr. is getting talked about as a top five draft pick next year

Best Bet: Arkansas -3 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

Full disclosure, I did snag the moneyline at -122 when this dropped, but with Arkansas at home, they'll speed this game up, giving themselves more possessions to cover. Arkansas has losses to Michigan State, Duke and Houston this year, and have gone 9-4 against the spread. They've covered seven of their last eight as well. This team is good, they are hot, and I see them getting a win at home to start conference play.

The Razorbacks are top 35 in pace, but are efficient offensively. They rank top 12 overall, top 36 in eFG% and are second in the country at taking care of the basketball. Not to mention they shoot 75% from the stripe and are No. 65 in the nation at getting there. While they don't shoot many threes, they do so well, while also coming in ranked top 25 in FT Rate defense. Tennessee does not like to run and they don't get to the stripe, but they do rebound well, which will keep them in this game.

Unfortunately, they are going to have to defend a lot more possessions than they are used to, and I think Arkansas overpowers them at Bud Walton Arena.

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Nate Hornung
Nate Hornung

Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.

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