I wanted to highlight some college basketball situational spots to keep an eye on for the second half of the 2025-26 NCAAB regular season.
These spots will include unique travel, revenge spots, long layoffs or condensed schedules, and more.
As we get deeper and deeper into the season, situational advantages can be more impactful and create good betting opportunities. So, without further ado, let's dive into eight teams.
Vanderbilt Commodores
Jan. 7 vs. Alabama
My oh my! What a spot on Wednesday, January 7, when the Commodores host Alabama and the electrifying Crimson Tide offense.
This will be an exquisite coaching matchup between Vandy’s Mark Byington and Alabama’s Nate Oats, and we could see 85 possessions. No shot clock is needed here, but I'll look to back Vandy in a major conference “prove-it” spot.
Maine Black Bears
Jan. 15 @ Vermont
Maine has really been disappointing this season, with a 1-13 record and one of the worst offenses in America East. The Black Bears can't shoot the ball well, and they have too many unforced turnovers.
Maine has a three-game stretch in the middle of January where it hits the road to UMBC, NJIT and finally a trip to Vermont.
I would guess the Black Bears would get annihilated on the offensive glass against the Catamounts, and we would see contested low-percentage jumpers on the offensive side.
Vermont will have had six days off and will have fresh legs, while Maine will have been on the road and in and out of hotels for a week.
With a projected spread of -12.5 or so, I would look to bet Vermont on Thursday, January 15.
Alcorn State Braves
Jan. 17 vs. Texas Southern
This friendly bunch hasn’t had a home matchup all season, and the Braves won't play their first game at home until January 17.
The Braves have one win this season and may not find another one until that first home game against Texas Southern.
Texas Southern has just one win against non-Division I “College of Biblical Studies," and I would guess after being on the road for 10 weeks, Alcorn State will really show up ready to go. If laying three or less, I'll look to back the Braves.
Stanford Cardinal
Jan. 28 @ Miami (FL)
The Cardinal have a three-game home stretch in which they host UNC, Duke and rival California in mid-January.
Big opponents, big atmosphere and a big deal to Stanford.
Following these three games, the Cardinal have to get on a plane and fly to Miami to square off against the Hurricanes.
Yikes.
If that homestand doesn’t go well, this game on Wednesday, January 28, might not either.
Penn Quakers
Jan. 31 @ Cornell
Penn has a nasty travel situation in late January, as the Quakers play back-to-backs nights on the road against Columbia and Cornell.
The Friday night game on January 30 will be in New York City. After that, at some point, there will be a quick travel initiative with a four-hour bus ride included in the itinerary. I can't imagine that Penn would travel overnight after the game, so we should assume that it would make this same-day travel.
I would expect tired legs and short jumpers, and I'll look to play Cornell in this spot on Saturday, January 31.
UC San Diego Tritons
Feb. 5 vs. Long Beach State
Lets go to the Big West where UC San Diego has been a real surprise team given the coaching transition and roster turnover experienced from last season's NCAA Tournament team.
We have a spot in February where UC San Diego plays Long Beach State on Thursday, February 5, before catching a flight out to Hawaii for a Saturday, February 7, game.
UC San Diego will have just played Cal State Northridge in the game prior (Saturday, January 31) and that one will likely push 80-83 total possessions.
Between that fast-paced game and the tough travel spot going to the Islands, I could see Clint Allard putting the breaks on the pace in the second half against Long Beach State. A projected total would be in the neighborhood of 159.5, and I would seek to look under.
Sacramento State Hornets
Feb. 14 @ Northern Arizona
Year one for Mike Bibby has seen its ups and downs, as the front end of the slate was loaded with strong high- and mid-major competition.
The offense has finally gotten going for the Hornets, as Bibby looks to turn the page to league play.
One unique travel situation will be back-to-back road games against Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona on February 12 and 14. Both Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona are considered to be “high elevation” spots and playing back-to-back games with such quick turnaround will be taxing.
I'll look to fade Sacramento State, specifically in the second matchup of this tough stretch in Flagstaff against Northern Arizona.
Duke Blue Devils
Feb. 24 @ Notre Dame
Duke plays Clemson and Syracuse at home before a neutral-site bout with No. 1-ranked Michigan in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, February 21.
Immediately after that, the Dukies have a date in South Bend with Notre Dame on Tuesday, February 24. Duke better be careful as this could be a major letdown spot, especially if the Blue Devils can somehow upset Michigan.
