College Basketball Predictions & Best Bets Today: ATS Picks and Prop Bets (Thursday, Jan. 22)

No top 25 teams are suiting up on Thursday, so my college basketball predictions and best bets today are focused on the lone power conference showdown and a rematch of one of the best mid-major games of the season.

With Wisconsin vs. Penn State being the biggest game on the schedule tonight, my college basketball player props are backing both of the Badgers' star guards.

🏀 College basketball predictions today: Wisconsin's backcourt duo to shine

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

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Another barnburner between South Florida and UAB: Over 167.5 (-110 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐

South Florida is a 2.5-point favorite against a UAB team that already proved it's equipped to handle the Bulls' pace. When these American Conference rivals clashed earlier in January, they combined for 214 points in a double OT win for UAB.

USF is No. 11 in the country in PPG (90.2), No. 16 in adjusted tempo, and No. 4 in field goal attempts per game (67.1). And the Dragons are putting up 83.1 PPG and are top 100 in the country in adjusted tempo.

USF has hit the Over in five of its last seven.

Tritons to impale Aggies: UC San Diego -2 vs. UC Davis (-110 via Caesars) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

When Eric Olen left for New Mexico after last season, UC San Diego opted to keep it within the family and promoted Clint Allard. It's paying off earlier despite this being a "rebuild" season, with the Tritons among the best teams in the Big West and holding a 10-7 record ATS.

UC San Diego has the best offense in the conference, sitting No. 83 in the country in adjusted efficiency, and is allowing just 73.4 PPG in Big West play.

The Tritons will be a mismatch for a UC Davis team that's No. 205 in adjusted defensive efficiency. 

⛹️ College basketball player props today

Apple picking in Happy Valley: Nick Boyd 5+ assists (+140 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Wisconsin has come alive with four straight wins, including an upset of Michigan, the March Madness odds favorite. Nick Boyd has been the biggest reason why, with the San Diego State transfer averaging 21.2 PPG and 6 APG during the winning streak.

Rather than target Boyd to score 20-plus with minus-money odds against Penn State, I like taking him to continue showcasing his playmaking prowess with these +140 odds.

The Nittany Lions have the worst defense in the Big Ten (No. 203 in adjusted efficiency) and give up the third-most APG in conference play (17.0).

Heat check from John Blackwell: 3+ made 3-pointers (+115 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It hasn't just been Boyd shining for the Badgers lately; his backcourt mate has been shooting the lights out, too. Over his last three games, John Blackwell has gone 12-for-23 from behind the arc (52.2%).

Blackwell is poised to take advantage of Penn State's defensive issues, with the Nittany Lions allowing the most 3-pointers per game (11.4) and the highest 3-point percentage (41.7%) in Big Ten play.

Blackwell has hit at least three 3-pointers in three straight games, a feat he's accomplished in eight of 17 games this season. 

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