We have full-on conference play in action. This is when the fun really begins. Let’s check out the college basketball slate for Wednesday. Here are the College Basketball Picks for January 3rd.
College Basketball Picks January 3rd
Xavier at Villanova (-8.5) (O/U 140)
Two teams that have been as inconsistent as they are make the two-game pick pack. Why wouldn’t we want to involve ourselves in some Big East conference play?
Xavier has some ground to make up to get back into the tournament conversation. They had a promising outlook to begin the season, but playing without Zach Freemantle and Jerome Hunter has seriously dampened their outlook. They are getting by with what they’ve got.
Villanova is a version of two face. They have wins over UNC, Memphis, and Creighton and losses to Penn, St. Joseph’s, Drexel, and Kansas State. This team could be an automatic qualifier, but if things get sticky in the Big East, then there may be some more pressure on Kyle Neptune’s team.
Villanova is not head and shoulders above this Xavier team, whether or not Justin Moore is playing. If it feels like we’ve been monitoring Justin Moore’s health for the last two years, then it’s because we have.
These teams split the matchups last year, with both teams winning on the road. Taking Xavier with the points here and holding my nose.
The Pick: Xavier +8.5
Stanford at UCLA (-4.5) (O/U 137)
Fade spot off of a big win. Upset Arizona at home and now travel to UCLA. This is a 6-6 Stanford Cardinal team that loves to back up a win with a loss. This will be Stanford’s second true away game this season and first conference away game.
UCLA has already involved themselves in conference road games. They split in the state of Oregon with a win in Oregon State and a loss in Oregon.
UCLA has not had inspiring results throughout their season, but I really liked them in their spot against Oregon State and like them here again.
Stanford shot the best they have and will all season in their win against Arizona. It’s tough to win in conference play and particularly tough to play on the road after beating a top-five team.
UCLA has covered just once at home all season, but we’re chalking that up to books having higher expectations to start the year. Back the Bruins.
The Pick: UCLA -4.5
