Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions: Saturday’s Super CBB Slate
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Fri Jan 16, 2026, 6:40 pm ET
Read Time: 7 minutes
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There are over 140 college basketball games on Saturday's slate (144 to be exact) so of course, our college hoops sickos had to dissect the the betting board and find their favorite wagers. I'm here to share them with you, as myself and Colby Marchio have plenty of thoughts on the a variety of games. Let's dive right into our favorite NCAA Basketball picks for Saturday!
Go check out what else I've got on my daily card, and view the latest odds at the best online sportsbooks.
Best NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions January 17
Kentucky vs. #24 Tennessee NCAA Basketball Picks
Nate Ament and the Volunteers host the Kentucky Wildcats at home this weekend
Best Bet: Tennessee -5.5 (-115) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Colby Marchio: Both teams are coming off wins in their previous matchups, but the Wildcats expelled much more emotional energy in theirs. Kentucky completed an 18 point comeback on the road against LSU that ended with the Wildcats draining a buzzer beater. While Tennessee struggled against Texas A&M, they still won, and perhaps Rick Barnes' team was looking ahead to their matchup with Kentucky.
The Vols are unbeaten at home with a perfect 10-0 record, and that makes sense with them ranking No. 7 in the country in defensive efficiency. At home, they excel at generating offensive rebounds and defending in general, ranking top 40 in both 3P% and 2P% defense. Rocky Top should be rocking on Saturday, and the Vols should cover this spread.
#18 Alabama vs. Oklahoma NCAA Basketball Picks
Back plenty of points as Alabama takes on Oklahoma in Norman on Saturday
Best Bet: Alabama/Oklahoma Over 170.5 (-115) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Nate Hornung: Both of these teams have very electric offenses, but don't play a single ounce of defense. Alabama is one of the fastest teams in the nation, being held to under 80 points just once this year. The Sooners are certainly not capable of doing so. Oklahoma allowed 105 points to Nebraska, 83 to Gonzaga and just got done giving up 96 to Florida earlier this week.
The Crimson Tide will push the pace of this game, and both offenses are more than capable of putting the ball in the hoop enough to cover this total.
Rutgers vs. Wisconsin NCAA Basketball Picks
Best Bet: Rutgers +14.5 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Colby Marchio: Wisconsin just beat Michigan at Ann Arbor and Minnesota at the Barn on a buzzer beating three. That is a big emotional win for the Badgers. Haslametrics notes that "Wisconsin is one of the Division 1's more erratic squads, ranking 258th in the country in consistency, while Rutgers sits closer to the middle of the pack". That gives the Scarlet Knights a small edge.
Rutgers ranks inside the top 100 in offensive rebounding, free throw rate defense and forcing turnovers, all of which are crucial factors in covering this big spread. If the Scarlet Knights can limit the Badger's clean looks from deep, they should have a chance to cover this number.
Miami vs. #22 Clemson NCAA Basketball Picks
The Clemson Tigers have one of the best defenses in all of college basketball this year
Best Bet: Clemson ML/Under 146.5 Parlay (+184) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Nate Hornung: Clemson is one of the slowest teams in the country, and they are also one of the best defensively. Both will be a key as we bet a cheeky same game parlay for nearly 2-1 odds. The Tigers are 10-7 to the under this year, staying under in seven of their last nine as well. The Hurricanes jump from No. 71 in pace all the way to No. 193 when they are away from home, adjusting to their host's tempo.
Clemson will control the pace of this game. While the Hurricanes do a good job of crashing the offensive glass, they don't do it as much on the road, and their hosts are top 10 in the nation in defensive rebounding. Give me a low scoring Tigers' victory at home.
#4 Michigan vs. Oregon NCAA Basketball Picks
Best Bet: Michigan -17.5 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Nate Hornung: Michigan finally came back down to Earth with a loss to Wisconsin, but you can't deny their dominance this season. They were 9-4 against the spread before they failed to cover the last three, and I think this is a great spot for them to torch the short handed Ducks. Dana Altman said that center Nate Bittle will probably miss the next month with an injury.
He leads the team with 16.3 points and 2.3 blocks per game, and his absence severely hurts the Oregon front court. Aday Mara and Morez Johnson should have a field day down low and on the boards, not to mention Yaxel Lendeborg being able to attack the rim with minimal protection. Give me the Wolverines by 20 against an Oregon team that I have zero faith in going forward.
St. John's vs. Villanova NCAA Basketball Picks
Can the Johnnies find another Big East win on the road against Villanova?
Best Bet: St. John's ML (+100) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Nate Hornung: While my faith in the Johnnies has been inconsistent this season, I think Rick Pitino's team has found their stride. They've won three straight games in dominant fashion and are 5-1 this year in Big East play. This team attacks the hoop, isn't afraid to crash the glass, and makes up for their below average shooting with maximum effort on the defensive end.
Villanova's defense actually takes a massive hit at home. The Wildcats rank No. 177 in opponent eFG% overall, but in eight games at home drop to No. 303 in the nation. Not to mention they severely struggle to get to the free throw line. The Johnnies might shoot 20+ more free throws than the Wildcats in this game, and I could see it being the difference maker.
#11 BYU vs. #15 Texas Tech NCAA Basketball Picks
Best Bet: BYU/Texas Tech Under 159.5 (-110) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Nate Hornung: BYU has a very high flying offense, but Lubbock is a very tough place to play. Not only that, but BYU is very limited in who scores, as AJ Dybantsa, Richie Saunders and Robert Wright account for over 68% of the team's points. The Red Raiders are a team that relies heavily on the three, and I could see them struggling against the length of the Cougars.
Ultimately, Texas Tech should know they are outmatched offensively, and in order to win this game they will need to slow things down and limit the possessions. I think they are capable of doing so enough to stay under this total at home.
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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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