College Basketball Picks & Predictions Today: ATS Picks & Prop Bets (Friday, Jan. 9)

My college basketball picks and predictions today evaluate the 15-game college basketball schedule to begin the weekend. One of my two game predictions is a fade of a Division I team that's among the six remaining unbeaten squads.

Then when looking at college basketball player props, I back the Unders on two players in late tipoffs, one of which will pay +122 odds. It’s part of four picks that add up to a +1331 parlay at bet365.

🏀 College basketball picks today: Jan. 9

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

💰 College basketball game predictions today

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

Miami (OH) vs. Toledo prediction: Toledo +1.5 (-110 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐

For Toledo to pull the upset of one of college basketball’s six unbeaten teams, it will need to do a solid job on the glass. The Rockets have allowed a 35% offensive rebounding rate or higher in five of their six losses, but Miami (OH) ranks outside the top 300 in offensive rebounding percentage.

This is also a good matchup for the Rockets since 54% of their scoring comes from 2-point shots. Miami (OH) ranks in the bottom-10 percentile in defense on post-ups.

This becomes a four-star play if RedHawks point guard Evan Ipsaro misses a fifth straight game.

Merrimack vs. Siena prediction: Under 135.5 (-110 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Siena’s offense is largely predicated on playing off the dribble. It went through much of nonconference play ranked in the bottom-10 percentile in guarded catch-and-shoots, meaning the Saints had difficulty creating open looks.

That is a huge issue entering a matchup against Merrimack’s tricky zone defense that already does an excellent job in suppressing 3-point shots. 

Opponents attempt the 11th-lowest percentage of their field goals from beyond the arc against the Warriors, which is a big reason why the Under is 4-1 in their five conference games (and cashed in seven of eight games following a win).

⛹️ College basketball player props today

Isaac Asuma Under 12.5 points (-130 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Minnesota shooting guard Isaac Asuma has scored 13-plus points in three of the last five games, coinciding with the team’s longest winning streak of the season. But Minnesota’s defense entered the previous game ranked in the top 22 in 3-point percentage allowed and adjusted defensive efficiency during the winning streak, and I expect it to continue to prioritize the defensive end of the court.

Asuma has ended with four or more fouls in half of the last six games, which is a concern against a USC offense that loves to hunt mismatches and play one-on-one.

Kimani Hamilton Under 0.5 3-pointers made (+122 via bet365) ⭐⭐⭐

We should see a big clash of offensive styles in tonight’s UNLV-Colorado State matchup. The Rams shoot 3-pointers at D-I’s fifth-best percentage and jack them up at the 23rd-highest rate. Meanwhile, the Runnin’ Rebels rank in the bottom 50 in 3-point shooting percentage, and those shots only comprise 34.5% of their field-goal attempts (ranks 289th).

UNLV power forward Kimani Hamilton has only made 7-of-32 3-point attempts this season, which makes these plus-money odds appealing even if he has made one 3-pointer in three of the last four games.

🚀 Best college basketball parlay picks today