Fridays in college hoops always feel like the calm before the storm. The January 9th schedule only has 14 games with betting lines, and most are low- or mid-major conference games. Now, Saturday will deliver an absolute deluge of basketball. We get over 100 games, and they run literally all day long. However, we still have games to bet on for Friday, and we’ve got a trio of college basketball picks you’ll want to lock in.
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College Basketball Preview, Picks, and Best Bets for January 9
Matt Dewoskin ATS College Basketball Picks Record (Est 11/3/2025)
All Selections: 103-84-2
Perfect 3-0 Cards: 10-52
Rider at Fairfield
Start Time: 7:00 PM EST
Rider comes into this game with a 1-12 overall record and a 0-8 mark on the road. The Broncs are 4-8 overall against the spread and 4-4 ATS on the road.
Fairfield enters this matchup with a 9-7 overall record and a 5-2 home mark. The Stags are 6-9 ATS overall and 1-5 ATS at home.
Rider has not won a game against a DI program yet this season. The Broncs are 0-4 in conference with two road losses. Rider lost to Quinnipiac by 14 and to Merrimack by four. They’re also off a home loss to Siena by nine.
Fairfield has yet to win a home game in conference. That changes tonight against Rider. Fairfield just won on the road at Niagara by eight. The Stags have won and covered four straight in this series.
Rider has one of the worst offenses in the country this year. They average fewer than 60 points per game and are 362nd in the nation in scoring offense, and they’re the worst team from three-point range in the nation. The Broncs can’t really score, and that rarely goes well in the Leo D. Mahoney Arena.
Fairfield has been an absolute wagon on their home court over the last few years, especially in League play. Rider may not break 50 points while the Stags cruise to an easy win and cover. Lay the 8.5 points and lock up Fairfield to cover.
Best Bet: Fairfield -8.5
Northern Kentucky at Milwaukee
Start Time: 8:00 PM EST
Northern Kentucky comes into this game with a 12-5 overall record and a 3-3 road mark. The Norse are 7-7 overall ATS and 2-4 ATS on the road.
Milwaukee enters this matchup with a 7-9 overall record and a 5-1 mark at home. The Panthers are 6-9 overall ATS and 2-3 ATS at home.
Northern Kentucky comes into this game on a three-game winning streak. The Norse have picked up conference wins over Robert Morris, IUPUI, and Youngstown State. Milwaukee has dropped three in a row, including two conference games.
Both of these teams have struggled on the defensive end, but both teams can put up points. However, Northern Kentucky has shot better than 40% from three-point range. They are screaming regression and may struggle on an unfamiliar floor against a team that needs to get back in the win column.
Milwaukee also has the superior rebounding team. They should get a few extra second chances and clean up the glass on the defensive end. The Panthers also do a solid job of protecting the ball on offense. They only average 10.3 turnovers per game. That’s good for 46th in the nation. Northern Kentucky tends to play a bit looser with the ball. They’re coming in at 257th in the nation in turnovers surrendered.
Milwaukee needs this game, and they’ve owned this series recently. They’ve won four straight outright and covered three of the last four games in this matchup. Let’s ride with the Panthers to win and cover in a desperate spot.
Best Bet: Milwaukee -3.5
UNLV at Colorado State
Start Time: 10:00 PM EST
UNLV enters this game with a 7-7 overall record and a 2-1 road mark. The Runnin’ Rebels are 6-7 overall ATS and 2-1 ATS on the road.
Colorado State comes into this matchup with a 10-5 overall record and a 6-3 home record. The Rams are 9-5 overall ATS and 4-4 ATS at home.
UNLV just got smashed on the first game of a road trip at Wyoming. The Rebels were 4.5-point underdogs, but lost to the Cowboys by 32 points. The Rams are also struggling. They’ve lost three of their last four games, including two straight home games in conference.
UNLV is heading into Fort Collins on a Friday night. That’s usually a hornet’s nest, but Colorado State has looked ragged since Kyle Jorgensen suffered an injury. Jorgensen is likely still out with an injury for this game. This issue is further complicated because Colorado State was already without big man Rashaan Mbemba. Mbemba may be back soon, but Jorgensen is reportedly still on the mend.
UNLV has size in the post that will mess with a banged-up Colorado State front line. The Rebels are 112th in shooting percentage on two-point shots. Colorado State is 299th in shooting percentage against on two-point shots. UNLV can’t really make free throws or shoot from distance, but they can bang down low and should find space on the inside against an undermanned Colorado State team. The Rebels are also the better rebounding team and have athleticism on the defensive end. Lock up UNLV to keep it close in Fort Collins on a Friday night and stay within 7.5 points.
Best Bet: UNLV +7.5
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!
