The NFL Playoffs take center stage tonight, and there's no power-conference matchups in action on the college basketball slate.
However, that doesn't mean there isn't betting value to be had in the sport. In fact, I'm circling three spots for Monday's action.
Read below for college basketball best bets, including three NCAAB expert picks and predictions for Monday, January 12.
College Basketball Best Bets
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAB Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Grambling vs. Florida A&M
This is the ultimate revenge spot for head coach Patrick Crarey, who faces off against his former employer in Florida A&M, where he was a cover machine last season.
He continues to defy expectations this season at Grambling, currently holding claim to a 9-5 against-the-spread mark on the campaign.
The money coming in on Florida A&M is almost certainly tied to the recent return of Micah Octave, a projected All-Conference-caliber player who missed the majority of the non-conference season.
Florida A&M mounted two impressive games against Bethune-Cookman and Southern, so it’s fair to admit it's undervalued. However, Florida A&M has been running some extremely favorable defensive 3-point shooting splits, inflating its true defensive effectiveness.
Finally, Crarey’s offense should be a tricky scout for first-year coach Charlie Ward, as most of the SWAC witnessed first hand last season.
Pick: Grambling +1.5 (Play to PK)
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi vs. East Texas A&M
East Texas A&M is coming off a potential breakthrough performance over the weekend against UT Rio Grande Valley. That could be the inflection point to turn the tide on a rough start to league play.
The Southland continues to compile sneaky impressive talent, and Jaret von Rosenberg has two key horses in Gianni Hunt and Ronnie Harrison.
Hunt was a monster over the weekend, evidence that he’s slowly adapting into his role as lead creator, while Harrison — who missed the blowout loss against Nicholls — looks to be in prime form as well.
Tonight’s opponent is no joke, but Jim Shaw’s Islanders are on the fourth game of a four-game road trip, and are making a 200+ mile bus ride from Northwestern State to Commerce, Texas.
This feels like a dead spot in the schedule, one that a feisty East Texas A&M team can pounce on at home.
Pick: East Texas A&M +5.5 (Play to +4)
Mississippi Valley State vs. Texas Southern
The Delta Devils (1-16 overall0 are by no means a good basketball team, but there are early signs of value emerging in conference play.
Mississippi Valley State competed admirably at Prairie View A&M over the weekend, suffering a narrow one-point defeat. That game marked the second full game for Daniel Mayfield, a critical forward who missed a substantial chunk of December.
Along with X'Zaevion Barnett, who debuted in mid-November, this is the healthiest the Delta Devils have been all season.
They square off against a flatlining Texas Southern team, which is now 0-3 against the spread in SWAC play. Johnny Jones’ Tigers haven’t been remotely competitive, failing to cover the margin by a touchdown on average.
They’ve had a myriad of injuries, which is forcing Jones into a musical chairs of lineup combinations.
They should have enough firepower to get by Mississippi Valley State tonight, but asking a team in a tailspin to cover two touchdowns — regardless of opponent — feels like a tall ask, especially given the short travel Mississippi Valley State makes from Prairie View to Houston.
Pick: Mississippi Valley State +14.5 (Play to +13)
