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New Year’s Eve was covered by the College Football Playoff Semifinals, and that is where much of the betting action was focused. Now that those games are over, it’s time to focus on college basketball yet again, and there are a number of terrific betting opportunities on New Year’s Day.
COVID-19 continues to mess with college basketball and the schedules, but there are some ranked teams in action on January 1. Here are four of the college basketball best bets set to take place to begin the new year.
West Virginia Mountaineers at Texas Longhorns
Best Bet: Texas -8.5 (-110)
The Big 12 Conference should be loaded with solid teams this season, but there might not be a great team outside of Kansas. Texas is hoping to be that next team, and they are pretty solid betting favorites as they host West Virginia on New Year’s Day.
The Longhorns are holding teams to just 51 points per game, and that defense should play a key role in this game. West Virginia is a solid defensive team as well, and points are going to be hard to come by in this matchup.
Texas has some guards that can take over this game, and the Longhorns should be able to take over late. Big 12 Conference games are usually competitive, but Texas wins this game and covers the 8.5 point spread.
Baylor Bears at Iowa State Cyclones
Best Bet: Baylor Money Line (-375)
Baylor is the number one team in the country, and they are at Iowa State on New Year’s Day. The Cyclones have been a major surprise this season, and they are always a tough team to beat at home.
The Bears are winning games by almost 23 points per game, and they haven’t really been challenged this season. Iowa State has been a major surprise, but they are in for a massive challenge in this game.
Baylor has a ton of talent, and it’s hard to see them losing this game as they go on the road and pick up a solid Big 12 Conference win.
Villanova Wildcats at Seton Hall Pirates
Villanova vs. Seton Hall Picks
Best Bet: Villanova Money Line (-117)
Villanova travels to Seton Hall on New Year’s Day for a huge matchup in the Big East. This conference has proven to be hard to predict this season, and this game could have a major impact on the conference title race.
The Wildcats were supposed to be one of the best teams in the country this season, but things just haven’t worked out that way. Villanova has gone just 1-2 in their last three games, and scoring the basketball has been a big problem.
Seton Hall is beating teams by almost 16 points per game this season, but they also suffered a loss to Providence in a Big East matchup. The Pirates have what it takes to beat Villanova, but they just haven’t played up to that this season.
Villanova needs a solid Big East Conference win, and they pick it up on the road on New Year’s Day.
Providence Friars at DePaul Blue Demons
Best Bet: Providence -1 (-110)
Again, the Big East Conference should be extremely competitive this year, and there are going to be so many great games taking place over the next few months. Providence visits DePaul on New Year’s Day, and this is a game that could have a pretty big impact on the Big East title race.
Providence has won seven straight games, but they are facing a DePaul team that has been extremely tough to bet at home. The Friars have been great on the defensive end of the floor, and that should serve them well in this matchup.
DePaul is led by Javon Freeman-Liberty and his 20 points per game, but Providence will have an answer for him. Look for Providence to establish themselves defensively, and they should put up a low number in this game.
Take Providence -1.0 as they pick up a solid win on the road.
