College Basketball Predictions & Best Bets Today: ATS Picks and Prop Bets (Wednesday, Jan. 14)

With a dozen ranked teams hitting the hardwood tonight, my college basketball predictions and best bets today focus two major conference matchups and a pair of freshman stars.

My favorite college basketball plays for Wednesday include backing a surging SEC team and arguably the best player in the country. And don't miss my TCU vs. BYU prediction for one of tonight's biggest matchups on ESPN2.

🏀 College basketball predictions today: Jan. 14

See all of our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds.

💰 College basketball ATS picks today

Check out all of our college basketball analysis and expert predictions this season.

Iowa vs. Purdue prediction: Iowa +10.5 (-115 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐

Ben McCollum's first year leading Iowa has started strongly, thanks to the play of Bennett Stirtz, the Missouri Valley Player of the Year for McCollum at Drake last season. The pair has led Iowa to the best ATS record in the Big Ten this year (11-5).

While Purdue has just one loss this season, the Boilermakers have failed to cover in two straight Big Ten games, and haven't seen a point guard that can rival Braden Smith ... until now.

Iowa's no defensive slouch either, ranking higher (No. 20) than Purdue (No. 22) in adjusted defensive efficiency. 

Vanderbilt vs. Texas prediction: Vanderbilt -5.5 (-108 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

After the SEC turned in arguably the single greatest season in college basketball history last year, Vanderbilt of all teams is leading the conference this year. The Commodores are 16-0, ranked No. 5 by KenPom, and have covered in seven of their last 10.

With an offense that's No. 5 in adjusted efficiency thanks to Tyler Tanner, Duke Miles, and Tyler Nickel, Vandy should expose a Longhorns defense that sits No. 117 in adjusted efficiency.

Texas is 1-3 ATS since late December, and this is the best team it's played since losing to Duke by 15.

⛹️ College basketball player props today

Koa Peat, Arizona: Over 6.5 rebounds (+120 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Arizona State is 4-17 against Arizona during Bobby Hurley's tenure in Tempe. Led by Koa Peat, the Wildcats should pounce once again, with the freshman poised to bully his way to Over 6.5 boards for the fourth time in five games. 

The 6-foot-8, 235-pound forward is built like a truck and shouldn't have any trouble cleaning the glass against an ASU team that's ranked outside the top 250 in offensive rebound rate (32.8%).

Peat is averaging 8.2 rebounds in his last four games, which is why I love these plus-money odds.

Cameron Boozer, Duke: Over 22.5 points (-112 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

After Duke had a freshman win the Wooden Award last season (Cooper Flagg), the Blue Devils might make it back-to-back. Cameron Boozer is the Wooden Award odds favorite and is fourth in the country in PPG (22.9) after going for 23-plus in seven of his last 10.

The son of Carlos is averaging 24.5 PPG since late November, and is ranked the No. 1 player in BPR.

Against a Cal defense that's No. 81 in adjusted efficiency and allowing ACC opponents to shoot 58.1% from inside the arc, Boozer should thrive.

🚀 Best college basketball parlay picks today