There’s only about a week left in January. February is right around the corner, and you know what comes after that. The good news here is that college basketball doesn’t stop, and neither do we. If there’s a slate, we’ve got plays for an Underdog Fantasy college basketball entry. Even more good news? We’ve found three picks that you’ll want to take for the games on January 23rd.
Keep in mind that playing all three legs of our plays in Underdog Fantasy could win you 6X your money on a single entry. Let’s dig into tonight’s plays and remember to let it ride!
Underdog Fantasy College Basketball Picks January 23
Matthew Dewoskin Underdog Fantasy College Basketball Pick Em Record (Est 11/4/2024)
All Pick Em Selections: 112-86-3
Perfect 3-0 Pick Em Entries: 14-53
Michael Rataj Higher Than 8.5 Rebounds
Pepperdine heads to Corvallis, OR for a game against Oregon State. Michael Rataj at home? Let’s get on his rebounds total against the soft Pepperdine Waves.
The Waves enter this game allowing opponents to average 35.7 rebounds against. That’s 239th in the nation. Pepperdine also allows opponents to grab 9.4 rebounds per game. That’s 247th in the nation.
Oregon State big man Michael Rataj comes into this game averaging 8.8 rebounds per game at home. He’s gone higher than 8.5 rebounds in nine out of 20 games played.
Rataj has struggled in a few tough match ups recently, but this is a phenomenal get right spot for him. Look for Rataj to fill up his rebounds column against the Waves and go higher than 8.5 rebounds in your Underdog Fantasy college basketball entry.
Malik Thomas Higher Than 1.5 Turnovers
The San Francisco Dons take a trip to University Credit Union Pavilion for a match up with St. Mary’s. This is a great spot to go higher on turnovers for Dons guard Malik Thomas.
Thomas enters this one averaging 2.0 turnovers per game on the road. Overall, he’s gone higher than 1.5 turnovers in 14 out of 21 games played. He also went higher once in two games against the Gaels last season.
St. Mary’s limits possessions, but still causes opponents to generate an average of 11.9 turnovers per game.
Playing at St. Mary’s is a tough spot for a conference game, and Thomas has struggled with turnovers at times this season. Lock this one in for your Underdog Fantasy college basketball entry on January 23rd.
Ja’Kobi Gillespie Lower Than 21.5 Points+Rebounds+Assists
Maryland pays a visit to Champaign, IL for a game with the Fighting Illini tonight. Let’s look to fade Maryland guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie.
In four true road games this year, Gillespie is averaging 12.3 points, 1.3 boards, and 3.0 assists. He’s gone lower than 21.5 PRA in three out of four games played on the away side of the gym this year.
Illinois is really good at limiting opponent scoring, especially from range, and not allowing opponents to rack up assists.
The Fighting Illini allow opponents to shoot just 27.9% from beyond the arc. That’s fourth best in the nation. Illinois also keeps opponents from filling it up on the offensive end. They rank 62nd in points allowed per game this year. The Illini also only allow opponents to average 10.4 assists per game. That’s 23rd in the nation.
This is a tough defensive match up for Gillespie on the road. The Illini should limit his looks from beyond the arc, and keep him from setting up his teammates. Gillespie going lower is one of the safer plays on the board tonight.
The College Basketball Experience
For more analysis on every college basketball game for the 2024-25 season, make sure you tune into The College Basketball Experience. Colby Dant, Moneyline Mac, and Noah Bieniek talk about each game on the entire slate. Listen for input on ATS and moneyline college basketball picks every night!