College Basketball Best Bets Today | ATS Picks & Player Props for Saturday, Jan. 3

My college basketball best bets today dive into the first set of weekend games in the new year.

Along with backing the Over in an early Big East tip and a surprising small underdog against a top-12 team, my college basketball player props fade two of the best guards in the country, including one of the nation’s best shooters riding an absolute heater.

🏀 College basketball best bets today: Jan. 3

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

💰 College basketball expert picks today

Want more college basketball betting advice? Check out all of our college basketball analysis and expert predictions this season.

Villanova vs. Butler prediction: Over 146.5 (-108 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Villanova’s offense will need to average more than 67.5 points in league contests to remain an upper echelon Big East team.

I chalked up the Wildcats’ 64-56 slugfest against Seton Hall to Pirates head coach Shaheen Holloway knowing Kevin Willard’s system inside and out. But Villanova’s offense also entered the DePaul game performing at the equivalent of the best in the country when Acaden Lewis and Matthew Hodge have shared the floor, per Hoop Explorer.

The Over has cashed in 70.8% of Butler’s league games since the start of last season, and should again be the right side.

North Carolina vs. SMU prediction: SMU +1.5 (-115 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐

This classifies as a curious line, as North Carolina’s only loss is to a tough Michigan State team. But the Tar Heels have also only played one true road game, and SMU has a big advantage being D-I’s third-most experienced team, per KenPom.

SMU entered its last big non-conference game against LSU in the 86th percentile for mid-range attempt rate. It also ranked in the 95th percentile in mid-range jumpers. While they aren’t the most efficient shots, it plays well in this matchup as North Carolina is the second-best rim-protecting team in the country (40.6% allowed from 2-point range).

⛹️ College basketball player props today

Search the best college basketball player prop odds for any team or player across every market from legal sportsbooks in your area.

Emanuel Sharp Under 14.5 points (-115 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Houston’s Emanuel Sharp has been boom or bust of late. Sharp has three games of 22-plus points in the last five games, but has scored 10 or fewer points in the other two.

This is a tricky game for the Cougars, as the Bearcats are more than happy to play Houston’s style.

Wes Miller’s Cincinnati squad is one of only eight teams that ranks better than Houston in adjusted defensive efficiency, and its top 34 ranks in effective field goal percentage defense and 2-point percentage allowed should limit Sharp’s ceiling for points.

Tyler Nickel Under 2.5 3-pointers made (-115 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐

Vanderbilt’s Tyler Nickel has made at least three 3-pointers in back-to-back games, and five of seven. Prior to the holiday break, he turned in one of the best shooting performances of the season, making eight of 10 3-point attempts against Wake Forest.

Nickel entered the week as one of only four players among the 1,012 D-I players with at least 100 possessions that ranked in the 98th percentile or better in ShotQuality’s points per possession.

But this is a three-star play, as South Carolina’s defense holds opponents under 29% from deep, and allows the sixth-lowest percentage of 3-point attempts.

🚀 Best college basketball parlay picks today