The calendar has officially flipped to January 2026. We’ve got two full months of data on college hoops, and it’s as unpredictable as ever. Michigan and Arizona look like they’re really good. Everything else? That’s up for debate. What isn’t up for debate? We’ve got three college basketball picks that you’ll want to lock up while you get over your hangover.
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College Basketball Preview, Picks, and Best Bets for January 1
Matt Dewoskin ATS College Basketball Picks Record (Est 11/3/2025)
All Selections: 90-73-2
Perfect 3-0 Cards: 9-46
Oakland at Youngstown State
Start Time: 1:00 PM EST
Oakland comes into this game with a 6-8 overall record and a 2-7 record on the road. The Golden Grizzlies are 7-6 against the spread overall and 4-5 ATS on the road.
Youngstown State enters this matchup with an 8-6 overall record and a 5-1 record at home. The Penguins are 6-5-1 ATS overall and 2-2 ATS at home.
Youngstown State has won and covered three of the last four games in this series played in The Igloo. The Penguins have also covered five of the last seven matchups against Oakland.
This matchup is a clash in styles. Youngstown State plays a bit slower and is the better defensive team by a wide margin. Oakland plays a lot quicker and is much better on the offensive end.
Both teams are coming off a loss in conference. Oakland lost by 15 at Wright State, while Youngstown State lost by five at home against Detroit Mercy. Oakland is 2-1 in conference with wins over Northern Kentucky and IPFW. Youngstown State is 2-2 in conference with wins against IU-Indy and Wright State.
Oakland has struggled with teams that slow down the pace and can defend. They lost at Northern Iowa against a slower-paced team. The Golden Grizzlies lost at Eastern Michigan. They also lost at Wright State. Youngstown State isn’t nearly as good as Northern Iowa, but they have a win over Wright State and are better than Eastern Michigan.
Youngstown State is also off a game in which they shot 10-for-38 from three-point range. Oakland is 284th in the nation in three-point percentage against. The Penguins should shoot better in their second straight game at home, and the Golden Grizzlies won’t defend the perimeter as well as Detroit Mercy did. A potential hot shooting night and a better defense should pull the Penguins across the finish line at home. Lock up Youngstown State to win and cover the 1.5 points.
Best Bet: Youngstown State -1.5
CSUN vs UC-Davis
Start Time: 5:00 PM EST
Cal State-Northridge enters this game with an 8-6 overall record and a 2-4 record on the road. The Matadors are 6-6 overall ATS and 3-3 ATS on the road.
UC-Davis comes into this matchup with a 7-5 overall record and a 5-1 mark at home. The Aggies are 6-4 ATS overall and 3-1 ATS at home.
UC-Davis had won seven straight in this series until CSUN won both games last season. The Aggies did cover at home as a dog, but lost and failed to cover on the road.
UC-Davis does everything that you’d want in a short favorite at home. The Aggies run an efficient offense, make free throws, and they can generate turnovers while not turning the ball over themselves. CSUN is the opposite. The Matadors aren’t very efficient, aren’t nearly as good at the free-throw line, and can be sloppy at times.
CSUN struggles against disciplined teams on the road. The Matadors’ road losses were at Northern Iowa, at North Dakota State, at UC-Irvine, and at Stanford. UC-Davis isn’t on the same level as these teams, but they play a similar style to Northern Iowa and North Dakota State. Stanford has a Power Five roster and had a clear edge in athleticism against CSUN. Let’s lock up UC-Davis to grind out a win and cover on their home floor against a CSUN team that can get a little wild at times.
Best Bet: UC-Davis -4.5
Utah Valley at Tarleton State
Start Time: 8:00 PM EST
Utah Valley enters this matchup with an 11-3 overall record and a 1-3 mark on the road. The Wolverines are 6-5 ATS overall and 1-3 ATS on the road.
Tarleton State comes into this game with a 10-4 overall record and a 7-0 mark at home. The Texans are 9-1 ATS overall and 3-0 ATS at home.
Utah Valley is 4-2 in the last six games against Tarleton State. The Wolverines have won three in a row outright, with two of those wins at Tarleton State.
Utah Valley has lost at San Diego State, Boise State, and Fresno State. They lost by double-digits to the Aztecs and Broncos, but only lost by one against Fresno State. Tarleton State beat UT-Arlington in Arlington, TX, in their first WAC game. Utah Valley beat Cal Baptist by double-digits in Orem, UT. This is Utah Valley’s first conference road game of the 2025-26 season.
The only place the Wolverines have struggled this year is on the road. Tarleton State isn’t nearly as good as the Mountain West teams Utah Valley tested themselves against, but they have been tough to beat in Stephenville, TX.
Tarleton State plays a bit quicker than Fresno State, but they have a similar offensive and defensive profile to the Bulldogs. Fresno State barely escaped with a win against Utah Valley, but it was a one- or two-possession game. This game will likely follow a similar game script. Tarleton State has a slight edge in shooting from range and shooting from the free-throw line. Both could be a factor as this game gets deep into the second half. Let’s lock up Tarleton to keep this one close and stay within the 4.5 points.
Best Bet: Tarleton State +4.5
The College Basketball Experience
For more analysis on every college basketball game for the 2025-26 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!
