Top 10 teams losing on the road. It doesn’t matter what the spread is or who the opponent is. It is happening and will continue to happen. College Basketball is an agent of chaos. Many more teams are slotted for an upset this weekend. Let’s check out the Saturday slate. Here are the College Basketball picks for January 27th.
College Basketball Picks January 27th
TCU at Baylor (-4.5) (O/U 150.5)
Let’s start with the rest. Baylor hasn’t played in a week. A considerable break this time of the season. Much needed as they lost back-to-back road games in the Big 12 to Kansas State and Texas. They return home for their matchup against TCU.
Both teams are led by transfer point guards, and neither team regrets their decision to go into the portal for their court general. Baylor’s RayJ Dennis is second in the Big 12 this season in assists per game, but it is Emmanuel Miller and not Jameer Nelson leading the team in assists for TCU.
Emmanuel Miller is the modern point forward we continue to see. The X factor here and the theme of the season will be home court.
Baylor feeds off the energy at home, shooting much better from three at home than away. Defensively their splits are much better at home. Anything under 5, and I’m taking the home team in this one.
Looking at freshman Ja’Kobe Walter, especially for a big game.
The Pick: Baylor -4.5
LSU at Alabama (-13) (O/U 161.5)
We all know Alabama is coming off their home ‘upset’ over Auburn. Alabama’s ranking, or lack thereof, doesn’t accurately reflect what this team is capable of.
Their talent holds up to a lot of the country. Their resume includes losses to teams like Purdue, Creighton, Arizona, and Tennessee.
Not something to be overly disappointed over. They have conquered a top 10 team and should have some momentum moving forward.
Alabama added Aaron Estrada and Grant Nelson in the transfer portal but it was early on that they realized Rylen Griffen needed more minutes.
An energetic player on both sides of the court, averaging double-digit points. He’s been picking up in spots where Nelson and Estrada don’t seem to be found.
Alabama held a 14-point lead at halftime vs Auburn. Auburn made a push at the end and raised more concerns about Alabama’s defense. I’m going to back the LSU Tigers here with the points.
Looking at the way that the second half went for Alabama and coming off the Top 10 ‘upset’ leads me to think that this could be a slight letdown spot.
The Pick: LSU +13
