The Wednesday slate is relatively loaded.
I'm looking at three games, including matchups in the Big East and SEC.
Read on for my college basketball best bets and NCAAB predictions for Wednesday, Jan. 4.
College Basketball Best Bets
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our college basketball betting staff is targeting from today's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 6:30 PM | |
  | 7:00 PM | |
  | 9:00 PM | |
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. | ||
Seton Hall vs. Villanova Pick
Shaheen Halloway thrives in these scenarios.
The Pirates have covered four straight games as a five-point-or-larger underdog, and they’re 7-3 in the past 10 such contests.
Unsurprisingly, these efforts are fueled by another stingy Holloway defense. The Pirates rank second nationally in steal rate, and Villanova coughed it up on nearly 30% of its possessions in the first meeting.
These two coaches are extremely familiar with each other, as Holloway worked on Kevin Willard’s staff at Seton Hall from 2010 to 2018. The first head-to-head meeting in the Big East was a physical brawl, with ‘Nova prevailing 64-56 in Newark.
Two key factors there: Nova was scorching from deep (10-of-23, 43.5%), compared to Seton Hall’s horrific performance (3-of-13, 23.1%). Also, Seton Hall’s Najai Hines missed the contest entirely. Hines is a terror in the paint as both a shot blocker and finisher, and massively impacts the game when he plays.
It could be advisable to live bet Seton Hall, as the Pirates own one of the most extreme first-half/second-half splits in the country. Per Hoop-Explorer, against top 150 opponents, the Pirates have a meager first-half margin of +5.7 points per 100 possessions. In the second half, that vaults to +26.0.
Holloway’s halftime adjustments have been pivotal in the Pirates’ season.
Still, I will ride with the full game spread, particularly with the “road revenge” angle working here.
I think the Holloway-Willard familiarity will breed another slog of a game, allowing Seton Hall to lurk close the entire time and have a chance to win late.
Pick: Seton Hall +6 or Better
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St. Thomas vs. South Dakota State Pick
Saint Thomas needs this one to stay within shouting distance of undefeated Summit leader North Dakota State.
Currently two games back, the Tommies still get to host the Bison, but falling even further back would eliminate them from the title picture.
Of course, this game is no easy task.
The Tommies must go to Brookings and take down league powerhouse South Dakota State, something no non-North Dakota State Summit foe has managed since 2023 (Oral Roberts).
But this is the year to do it.
The Jackrabbits are reeling under new head coach Bryan Petersen, and they lack the typical offensive firepower to bury opponents (especially from long range).
Meanwhile, the Tommies’ offense is a freight train, led by the high-scoring trio of Nolan Minnessale, Nick Janowski, and Carter Bjerke.
Bjerke, a stretch big, cashed in 10 triples against Kansas City on Sunday, and the spacing he provides from the frontcourt opens up driving lanes for the physical Minnessale and athletic forward Isaiah Johnson-Arigu.
The first meeting between these two, a 74-69 St. Thomas win, was essentially a draw. The rebounding battle (34-34) and turnover battle (14-13) were equal, and both teams were somewhat cold from the outside.
But the Tommies won by generating better quality looks inside and getting to the free throw line – two consistent staples of their offense.
Corralling South Dakota State’s guards off the bounce will be a challenge.
But the Tommies have the offensive arsenal to get a huge road win here, setting up for a dramatic stretch run in the Summit.
Pick: St. Thomas -2 or Better
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Oklahoma vs. Kentucky Pick
Talk about two SEC programs headed in different directions.
Oklahoma has lost eight consecutive games, all but extinguishing any postseason hopes. The Sooners may have to move in a different coaching direction this offseason, as Porter Moser simply has not been able to find success in league play (27-54 in four-plus years).
Kentucky, on the other hand, has won six of seven after a stunning victory at Arkansas over the weekend. Vibes are high, and Mark Pope has the Wildcats trending way up.
Yes, there is a chance Oklahoma rolls over here, victims of repeated close losses that have now reached a breaking point.
But I disagree with that notion. Heading to Rupp Arena to take on a brand like Kentucky rings more as a “last stand” game, to me, so I expect an all-out effort.
The Sooners have lost by 10-plus points only twice during this frustrating slide.
Plus, I like fading Kentucky off the emotional high of nearly going wire-to-wire against John Calipari.
The Wildcats have only covered three of their past 10 contests, largely sneaking by in close comeback victories. A resounding blowout ahead of a rematch with Tennessee would surprise me.
Most importantly, Oklahoma has the offensive firepower to hang around.
Kentucky’s defense has been sharp in league play, led by the shot-blocking tandem of Malachi Moreno and Mo Dioubate. You must be able to knock down jumpers against them, and the Sooners’ Xzayvier Brown, Nijel Pack, and Derrion Reid check that box.
This will probably be another crushing loss for the visitors, but 10 points is too many.
Pick: Oklahoma +8 or Better
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