College Basketball Predictions, Picks & Odds Today: Tuesday, 1/28

The college basketball season is continuing to heat up with exciting games, and today’s schedule is packed with action.
Fans and bettors have a lot to look forward to as teams clash in fierce conference rivalries while vying for better positions in the postseason. Let’s break down these games and find the best college basketball picks for today!
College Basketball Predictions & Overview Today, 1/28
Tipping things off, St. John’s is set to face Georgetown in a Big East battle. The Red Storm are eager to keep their winning streak alive, while the Hoyas are looking to turn things around and protect their home court.
In another big matchup, Kentucky will go head-to-head with Tennessee in an SEC showdown that carries significant weight. The Wildcats are eager to recover from a tough stretch, but the Volunteers have been strong all season and will be determined to send UK home with a loss.
Lastly, North Carolina is heading to Pittsburgh for an important ACC game. The Tar Heels are trying to find their rhythm and gain some momentum, but the Panthers are known for pulling off impressive victories at home.
#15 St. John’s vs. Georgetown Predictions & Picks
Both teams have been playing really good defense lately, and when they last faced each other, St. John’s won 63-58, which was way below this posted total of 141.
Georgetown has a strong defense, ranking 31st in points allowed and 16th in opponent shooting percentage, especially when they play at home. On the other hand, St. John’s limits their opponents to just 66.4 points per game, which is 51st in the country, and their shooting defense is ranked 34th.
Offensively, both teams struggle to score efficiently. St. John’s has a tough time with 3-pointers, hitting only 29.9% of them, while Georgetown isn’t much better at 32.2%. Both teams depend on their defense to keep the games close, as shown by Georgetown’s last five games all going under the total. Plus, St. John’s has gone under in four of their last six games.
Considering their past performances and current trends, this matchup is likely to be slow-paced and focused on defense, making the under 141 (-110 at Bet365) a smart choice to start out our college basketball predictions today.
#12 Kentucky vs. #8 Tennessee Predictions & Picks
Kentucky +10 (-110 at Bet365) against Tennessee seems like a great bet for the next of our college basketball predictions today based on how both teams have been playing lately. Even though the Wildcats have had an up-and-down season, their offense is really strong, ranking 3rd in the country with an average of 88.2 points per game.
Kentucky shoots well, with a field goal percentage of 48.4% and 36.9% from three-point range, and they have several players who score in double digits. On the other hand, Tennessee is known for its defense, ranking 1st in opponent three-point shooting percentage at 25.4% and 2nd in field goal percentage at 36.0%, while only allowing 58.4 points per game.
However, their offense isn’t as strong, averaging only 75.1 points per game. Recent games show that Kentucky can hang with top teams, like their close win against Gonzaga and high-scoring games against Texas A&M and Alabama.
Tennessee’s recent loss to Vanderbilt also raises questions about their ability to stay consistent, especially against high-scoring teams. While Tennessee could and should win, Kentucky’s depth in scoring and ability to keep up in a shootout makes the +10 spread look solid. Expect the Wildcats to stay competitive and cover the spread.
North Carolina vs. Pittsburgh Predictions & Picks
For UNC vs. Pitt, both teams have similar scoring abilities, but the Tar Heels have shown they can handle tight games better and score more points overall (82.5 points per game, which is 29th in the country).
Even though UNC struggles with three-point shooting (32.3%, 267th), they are good at getting to the free-throw line (75%, 75th) and grabbing rebounds (34.3 per game, 93rd). Their backcourt duo in R.J. Davis and Elliot Cadeau are key to their fast-paced offense, scoring over 28 points and dishing out 10 assists together each game.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's defense has been weak lately, allowing 71 points per game (174th), especially against teams with strong guards, as shown by their losses to Florida State and Louisville. Pittsburgh does have solid scoring, led by Jamarius Burton (17.6 PPG) and a good free-throw percentage (78.6%, 14th in the nation), but their defense has been inconsistent, and they struggle with rebounding (32.1 per game, 204th).
With UNC's ability to control the game pace, dominate rebounds, and make free throws, they are in a good position to pull off an upset in what should be a tough ACC matchup. We’ll finalize our college basketball predictions today by backing the Tar Heels ML (+125 at Bet365) for a big win on the road tonight.
College Basketball Odds & Betting Lines Today
Since we've revealed our official college basketball picks for today, let's move on to the final step: examining the betting lines!
Check out the college basketball odds for the games we just discussed, courtesy of Bet365 Sportsbook:
- St. John’s Red Storm (-180) vs. Georgetown Hoyas (+150)
- Spread: St. John’s -4 (-110) vs. Georgetown +4 (-110)
- Game Total: Over 141 (-110) vs. Under 141 (-110)
- Kentucky Wildcats (+400) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (-550)
- Spread: Kentucky +10 (-110) vs. Tennessee -10 (-110)
- Game Total: Over 147 (-110) vs. Under 147 (-110)
- North Carolina Tar Heels (+125) vs. Pittsburgh Panthers (-150)
- Spread: North Carolina +2.5 (-110) vs. Pittsburgh -2.5 (-110)
- Game Total: Over 154.5 (-110) vs. Under 154.5 (-110)
How To Bet On College Basketball At Bet365 Sportsbook & Claim $200 In Bonus Bets
This Bet365 offer gives you an instant bonus just for signing up here! While today is focused on our college basketball predictions above, you can use any game and any sport to take advantage of this deal.
If you place a bet of at least $5, whether you win or lose, you’ll get $150 in bonus bets! Alternatively, you can bet $10 or more, up to $1,000, on your first wager. This option comes with a guarantee, so if your bet doesn’t win, you’ll get a full refund in bonus bets.
Don’t forget, you don’t need a Bet365 bonus code to access these welcome offers when you register with us!
Player News
Giants recalled RHP Keaton Winn from Triple-A Sacramento.
The 27-year-old hurler will join the Giants for their weekend series against the Rays with Ryan Walker heading to the paternity list. Winn has been hit hard in the minor leagues this season, posting a troublesome 8.49 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and a 24/8 K/BB ratio across 23 1/3 innings across three levels. He’ll give manager Bob Melvin another option in the middle innings.
Giants placed RHP Ryan Walker on the paternity list.
The 29-year-old hurler is expected to be away from the Giants for their weekend series against the Rays as he welcomes a new addition to the family. Keaton Winn was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move to take his place in the Giants’ bullpen.
Giants activated RHP Landen Roupp from the 15-day injured list.
The 26-year-old hurler will make his triumphant return to the Giants’ rotation on Friday evening against the Rays. Before landing on the injured list with inflammation in his pitching elbow, Roupp had posted a 3.11 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and a 95/42 K/BB ratio over his first 101 1/3 innings on the season.
Giants placed INF Matt Chapman on the 10-day injured list with right hand inflammation.
It’s the same hand issue that bothered Chapman earlier in the season. He did undergo an MRI exam which seems to have ruled out any structural damage, but he’ll still miss at least a couple of weeks while recovering. Casey Schmitt is starting in his place at third base on Friday night and figures to handle the bulk of the action there while Chapman is shelved.
Cam Ward completed 2-of-7 passes for 42 yards in the Titans’ preseason Week 2 game against the Falcons.
Ward played three drives in this one, and his arm strength was evident despite the lackluster results. Among the Titans’ expected Week 1 receiving corps, only Chig Okonkwo and Van Jefferson Jr. joined Ward on the field. Neither player earned a target. Ward instead focused on honing his connection with fellow rookie, WR Elic Ayomanor, who caught 2-of-4 targets thrown to him by Ward for 37 yards. Ayomanor is unlikely to be re-draft-relevant this year but he should be rostered in dynasty.
Luis Rengifo is absent from the Angels’ starting lineup for Friday night’s skirmish against the Athletics.
There doesn’t appear to be anything wrong physically with the versatile 28-year-old, it looks to be just a routine night off. Christian Moore will start in his place at second base and bat eighth against A’s right-hander Jack Perkins.