Yesterday’s slate of power conference matchups was absolute fire. Today’s schedule in college hoops has a bit more mid-major madness, but it’s still an absolute banger. We’ve dug through the numbers and found a trio of college basketball picks that you’ll want to lock up. Let’s dig into it.
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College Basketball Preview, Picks, and Best Bets for January 7
Matt Dewoskin ATS College Basketball Picks Record (Est 11/3/2025)
All Selections: 100-81-2
Perfect 3-0 Cards: 10-50
St. Louis at VCU
Start Time: 7:00 PM EST
St. Louis comes into this matchup with a 13-1 overall record and a 1-0 mark on the road. The Billikens are 8-5 overall ATS and 1-0 ATS on the road.
VCU enters this game with an 11-4 overall record and an 8-1 home mark. The Rams are 8-7 overall ATS and 4-5 ATS at home.
VCU has won four straight home games outright in this series. St. Louis won the most recent matchup in St. Louis.
VCU is on a five-game winning streak that includes four straight home games. St. Louis has won seven in a row. That stretch includes only one road game. The Billikens beat Loyola Marymount by 21 points.
Historically, this is a clash in styles. However, this year, VCU has opened up its offense and is averaging 87.2 points per game this year, but can still play solid defense. St. Louis has an amazing offense, but has struggled in the Siegel Center.
VCU has played a solid non-conference schedule, while St. Louis really hasn’t played anyone. Their best win was over Santa Clara at a neutral site. VCU has played Utah State, New Mexico, Vanderbilt, and NC State. The Rams lost all four games, but every game except Vanderbilt was a one-to-two-possession game.
VCU comes into this one with a bit more athleticism. The Rams are better at generating turnovers, limiting turnovers, and picking up steals and blocks on defense. A lot of the metrics do favor St. Louis, but their numbers are a bit dressed up by the soft schedule they’ve played.
VCU dropped a game against New Mexico at home. They’re not going to drop a conference game against a team they’ll be competing with for the regular season title. Lock up VCU to win this and cover the two points.
Best Bet: VCU -2
SMU at Clemson
Start Time: 9:00 PM EST
SMU enters this matchup with a 12-2 overall record and a 1-1 record on the road. The Mustangs are 7-7 overall ATS and 1-1 ATS on the road.
Clemson comes into this game with a 12-3 overall record and a 7-0 mark at home. The Tigers are 8-7 overall ATS and 3-4 ATS at home.
SMU is off a 14-point win at home over North Carolina. Heading on the road against another power school. This is a solid spot to fade after the big win. Clemson has been rolling recently. The Tigers are on a five-game winning streak. Clemson has Notre Dame up next. That’s not really a look-ahead spot for them.
The differences in this one will be the building, the situation, and Clemson’s defense. Clemson comes into this matchup with a top-30 defense in the nation. SMU can score, but they haven’t faced a defense like this on the road. Clemson is really good at limiting second chances, and they don’t turn the ball over much. The line is telling us how this is going to play out. Lock up Clemson to roll at home and cover the 4.5 points.
Best Bet: Clemson -4.5
Grand Canyon at Boise State
Start Time: 11:00 PM EST
Grand Canyon enters this game with an 8-5 overall record and a 1-1 record on the road. The Lopes are 5-8 overall ATS and 1-1 ATS on the road.
Boise State comes into this matchup with a 9-5 overall record and a 6-1 mark at home. The Broncos are 8-4 overall ATS and 4-2 ATS at home.
Boise State just lost on the road at San Diego State in triple overtime. They picked up a win at home over New Mexico before losing in San Diego. Boise State has a look-ahead to Utah State on January 10th. Grand Canyon is 1-1 to start their initial run in the Mountain West Conference. The Lopes won at Wyoming and then got wrecked at home by Colorado State.
Grand Canyon has gone on the road and won in conference, and they’ve played a few heavyweights away from home already. The environment will be lit, but it shouldn’t be overwhelming for the Lopes.
Grand Canyon isn’t as explosive as they were on offense, but they have a top-60 defense in the country. They come into this game catching over three possessions. Their defense will keep this one from getting away, and they can do enough on offense to grind their way to a cover. The Lopes can also make free throws and are capable of generating turnovers. Boise State will win this at home, but this is likely a rock fight. Lock up Grand Canyon to stay within the 8.5 points.
Best Bet: Grand Canyon +8.5
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!
