College Basketball Lines: Big Ten & Pac-12 Rivals Action!

Great college basketball matchups happen almost every day of the week. This week is no different. On Tuesday, four of the top teams in the nation throw down when Big Ten rivals Michigan State and Illinois play and Pac-12 rivals UCLA and Arizona hit the court. Then on Wednesday, Providence takes on Xavier in a Big East show down. Check out analysis and free NCAA Basketball Betting picks for 6 top NCAA basketball contests from Tuesday through Thursday.

College Basketball Betting: Top Games to Wager From Tuesday to Thursday ( Jan. 25th – 27th)

Michigan State Spartans at Illinois Illini

When: Tuesday, Jan. 25

Illinois had been on a roll, going 5-1 straight up and against the spread, before their last couple of games. An 88-96 overtime loss to Purdue and an 81-65 loss to Maryland signals the Illini could be in some trouble versus the conference’s best team.

Michigan State heads into the week after blasting Wisconsin 86-74. Although they’re on the road, the Spartans should have no trouble winning SU and ATS.

NCAAM Pick: Michigan State Spartans

Arizona Wildcats at UCLA Bruins

When: Tuesday, Jan. 25

Both Arizona and UCLA are ranked in the top ten, which means the classic Cats versus Bruins rivallry will be in full force. After an upset overtime loss to Oregon, UCLA bounced back with wins against Oregon State, Utah, and Colorado.

But UCLA isn’t blowing out teams the way Zona is. The Wildcats are 16-1 SU and 11-5-1 ATS. Arizona has covered in 3-of-4. The lone non-cover was in a 16-point win over Utah as a -19 favorite. AZ should win this on the moneyline.

NCAAM Pick: Arizona Wildcats

Florida Gators at Tennessee Volunteers

When: Wednesday, Jan. 26

Florida heads into the week on a 3-game winning streak: 71-63 against South Carolina, 80-72 versus Mississippi State, and 61-42 against Vanderbilt.

While the Gators are hot, Tennessee is more warm. The Vols have won 3-of-4. The lone loss happened via blowout to Kentucky. The last Vols’ game was a blowout victory over LSU. Because this happens on Tennessee’s court, we should give the Volunteers the benefit of the doubt. Vols win and cover.

NCAAM Pick: Tennessee Volunteers

Providence Friars at Xavier Musketeers

When: Wednesday, Jan. 26

Providence is just 1-3 ATS in their last 4. But the Friars are 16-2 overall and 11-7 ATS. On Wednesday, they face a desperate Xavier squad.

Heading into the week, the Musketeers have fallen to 14-4. Xavier had played well until a Jan. 23 contest at Marquette. The scorching Golden Eagles blasted the Musketeers 75-64. Expect Xavier to bounce back in this. The Musketeers don’t often lose 2 in a row and this happens on their floor. Xavier wins and covers.

NCAAM Pick: Xavier Musketeers

Ohio State Buckeyes at Minnesota Golden Gophers

When: Thursday, Jan. 27

Ohio State has a tough week. The Buckeyes play a Sunday game in Purdue after this Thursday match versus the Gophers.

Minnesota beat Rutgers in their last, but they shouldn’t hang with Ohio State in this. The Golden Gophers score 69.6 points per while allowing 66.3 each game. Ohio State rolls.

NCAAM Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes

Purdue Boilermakers at Iowa Hawkeyes

When: Thursday, Jan. 27

Purdue player Jayden Ivey is listed as questionable for this game. Ivey almost definitely will play in Sunday’s home contest against the Ohio State Buckeyes, which means Purdue might keep Ivey out of this contest.

Even if Ivey plays, this sets up as an Iowa victory. The Hawkeyes are one-hundred percent healthy. Forward Keegan Murray has gotten better and better. Give Iowa the nod ATS and SU.

NCAAM Pick: Iowa Hawkeyes