The 2025 college basketball season is really heating up, and today’s games feature three exciting matchups that fans and bettors won’t want to miss.

We’ve got a Big Ten battle in New York City, plus some intense action in the SEC and Big 12. What’s that mean for our college basketball picks today? Let’s find out!

 

 

 

College Basketball Predictions & Overview Today, 1/25

First, Michigan State is heading to Madison Square Garden to take on Rutgers in a crucial Big Ten game. The Spartans are on a great winning streak, while the Scarlet Knights are hoping to pull off a big upset in front of the New York crowd. 

Later, Houston will face Kansas in a thrilling top-15 clash in the Big 12 at Allen Fieldhouse, where both teams are looking to prove they’re the best in one of the toughest conferences in the country. 

Finally, SEC powerhouses Tennessee and Auburn will go head-to-head in a game that could impact the championship race, as the Volunteers try to improve their standing while Auburn deals with questions about star player Johni Broome’s status. 

Let’s dive into these exciting games and find out the best college basketball predictions for today!

 

 

 

#8 Michigan State vs. Rutgers Predictions & Picks

Michigan State plays a balanced game, averaging 81.7 points per game, which is pretty good (37th in the country), but they focus more on being efficient than on playing fast. They have a solid shooting percentage of 47.5% (57th) and are great at free throws, hitting 81.3% of them, which is third best. 

However, they have trouble with three-point shooting at just 28.8% (349th), which might limit their scoring in what could be a tough Big Ten matchup on the road. On defense, Michigan State is strong, allowing only 67.7 points per game (75th) and holding opponents to 40.1% shooting (39th). 

They are also good at defending the three-point line, with opponents shooting just 28.9% from there (20th), which could make it hard for Rutgers to score since they only hit 33.1% of their three-pointers. 

Rutgers scores an average of 76.6 points per game but has had a tough time in big games, especially against strong defenses. They allow 74.9 points per game (277th) but might try to slow the game down and rely on their defense in this important match at Madison Square Garden. 

Their free-throw shooting is inconsistent at 69.5% (256th), which could also lead to scoring slumps. With Michigan State's strong defense and Rutgers' offensive struggles, expect a tough game that stays under 148.5 (-110 at DraftKings) to begin our college basketball predictions.

 

 

 

#7 Houston vs. #12 Kansas Predictions & Picks

The Cougars lead the nation in opponent points allowed per game (53.9), field goal percentage defense (35.3%), and are among the top 10 in defensive rebounds per game (26.2). This tough defense will be crucial when facing Kansas, which depends a lot on Hunter Dickinson inside and has had trouble shooting from long range (33.3%, ranked 206th nationally). 

On the offensive side, Houston shines with a 39.9% three-point shooting rate, placing them sixth in the country. Players like LJ Cryer (42.1% from three) and Emmanuel Sharp (45.9% from three) can really challenge the Kansas defense, creating more chances to score. 

Although Kansas has a strong defense overall, they’ve shown weaknesses in recent away games, like giving up 74 points in a loss to Iowa State. Houston has demonstrated their ability to control the game’s pace and take advantage of defensive stops, as seen in their impressive wins against Utah and TCU. 

Plus, with five players scoring over eight points per game, they have a well-rounded offense that poses multiple threats. With the next of our college basketball predictions, considering Houston's outstanding defense and effective offense, the Cougars money line (+100 at DraftKings) looks like a solid choice against this Kansas team.

 

 

 

#6 Tennessee vs. #1 Auburn Predictions & Picks

Auburn boasts an impressive offense, sitting 9th in the nation for points per game at 85.7 and 6th in field goal percentage at 50.2%. With Johni Broome (GTD) dominating inside (17.9 PPG, 10.7 RPG) and Chad Baker-Mazara hitting 39.4% from beyond the arc, the Tigers have several scoring options that can take advantage of any defensive lapses. 

Although Tennessee has a top-notch defense, especially against three-pointers (25.9%, ranked 1st nationally), Auburn's diverse offensive strategy can challenge the Volunteers' defensive setup. On the other hand, Tennessee's offense has had its struggles, ranking 139th in points per game (76.4) and 127th in field goal percentage (45.9%). 

While Zakai Zeigler contributes with 7.6 assists per game, the Volunteers often rely on low-percentage shots, which could be a problem against Auburn’s disciplined defense that limits opponents to 39.4% shooting (26th nationally). Additionally, Tennessee's free-throw shooting is subpar at 73% (250th), which could cost them valuable points. 

Considering Auburn's strong 9-2 record against the spread at home and Tennessee's road inconsistencies, the explosive offense and reliable defense on one side in particular make Auburn -6.5 (-110 at DraftKings) the play. Look for the Tigers to control the pace and efficiency throughout the game, capping off our college basketball predictions today.

 

 

 

College Basketball Odds & Betting Lines Today

Now that we've shared our official college basketball picks for today, it's time for the last part: checking out the betting lines!

Take a look at the college basketball odds for the games we just talked about, thanks to DraftKings Sportsbook:

  • Michigan State (-238) vs. Rutgers (+195)
    • Spread: Michigan State -5.5 (-110) vs. Rutgers +5.5 (-110)
    • Game Total: Over 148.5 (-105) vs. Under 148.5 (-115)
       
  • Houston Cougars (+100) vs. Kansas Jayhawks (-120)
    • Spread: Houston +1 (-110) vs. Kansas -1 (-110)
    • Game Total: Over 128.5 (-110) vs. Under 128.5 (-110)
       
  • Tennessee Volunteers (+225) vs. Auburn Tigers (-278)
    • Spread: Tennessee +6.5 (-110) vs. Auburn -6.5 (-110)
    • Game Total: Over 141.5 (-110) vs. Under 141.5 (-110)

 

 

 

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