GamblersWorld,College Basketball,Free pick,College Basketball Betting preview,Alabama,Auburn,Connecticut,Duke,Iowa State,Kansas,Northwestern,Notre Dame,Oklahoma,Oregon,Penn State,South Carolina,Tennessee,Texas A&M,Texas Tech,SEC,BIG 12,KenPon,Doug Upstone

Shoot The Rock – Betting College Basketball for January 11-12

College Basketball Betting Preview: January 11-12 on Gamblers World


For Betting College Basketball, Focus on SEC and Big 12

Most bettors love to place bets and watch their wagers in action, namely following the teams and players involved.

If this is you or if youā€™re just a big fan of college basketball and make bets here and there, this season watch as many SEC and Big 12 games as you can, because this is where the best basketball is being played.

If you follow the highly respected KenPom.com ratings, this is what you will find through January 7, 2025.GamblersWorld,College Basketball,Free pick,College Basketball Betting preview,Alabama,Auburn,Connecticut,Duke,Iowa State,Kansas,Northwestern,Notre Dame,Oklahoma,Oregon,Penn State,South Carolina,Tennessee,Texas A&M,Texas Tech,SEC,BIG 12,KenPon,Doug Upstone

Top 10 ā€“ SEC- 4Ā Ā  / Big 12 -3

Top 20 ā€“ SEC – 7Ā Ā  / Big 12 -5

Top 68 ā€“ SEC -15Ā  / Big 12 -10

As you can see, these conferences dominate the higher the top tier of college basketball. If you have seen Tennessee, Auburn, Florida, Alabama, and Kentucky those squads presently, based on visual skill and execution are Elite 8 worthy.

We chose the Top 68 because thatā€™s how teams make the NCAA Tournament field and based on talent and how they play, the SEC could have 15 seats at the table. They wonā€™t because all the conference champions in the sport join the field, but depending on how things shake out 10 to a dozen from the Southeastern Conference could get in.

GamblersWorld,College Basketball,Free pick,College Basketball Betting preview,Alabama,Auburn,Connecticut,Duke,Iowa State,Kansas,Northwestern,Notre Dame,Oklahoma,Oregon,Penn State,South Carolina,Tennessee,Texas A&M,Texas Tech,SEC,BIG 12,KenPon,Doug UpstoneLast year the Big 12 was ā€œmust seeā€ TV and for the most part that remains true this season. Adding Arizona makes the conference stronger to go along with Houston, Iowa State, Kansas, and Baylor. West Virginia is working its way back with a coaching change, BYU is solid and Arizona State is showing signs of being on the upswing.

Thatā€™s not to say the Big Ten is weak, as they have four clubs in the Top 20 and 13 in the Top 68. If anything, the Big Ten might, top to bottom, end up being better balanced, just lacking in elite teams.

One aspect to keep in mind, you often hear and read about there is more value in choosing lesser-known conferences because the lines might be a little softer because less attention is paid to them by the oddsmakers. That sentence has truth in it. However, with the advent of these bloated conferences having so many highly ranked teams, the sportsbooks have fewer opportunities to add a point or two for particular matchups that sharp bettors might jump on.

Do your handicapping on these conferences, find your best opportunities and you can learn a great deal about everyone in the SEC and Big 12 over the next three months.

Top Weekend Games: Power Ratings are from KenPom.

With the NFL Wild Card games going one at a time and packed with commercials, plenty of time to catch college hoops action on a second TV or phone.

Saturday


Notre Dame @ #4 Duke
Power Rated ā€“ Duke -31GamblersWorld,College Basketball,Free pick,College Basketball Betting preview,Alabama,Auburn,Connecticut,Duke,Iowa State,Kansas,Northwestern,Notre Dame,Oklahoma,Oregon,Penn State,South Carolina,Tennessee,Texas A&M,Texas Tech,SEC,BIG 12,KenPon,Doug Upstone

With all the quality in other conferences, outside of Auburn, we do not think there is a better team than Duke. If the number is this, itā€™s aĀ hard one to bet on.

USC @ #13 Illinois
Power Rated ā€“ Illinois -21.5

The Fighting Illini are the youngest team in the Big Ten but have a real upside going forward. USC will get better next year with Bill Musselman as their coach. Not an easy wager either way, the OVER might the best bet in this encounter.

#2 Auburn @ South Carolina
Power Rated ā€“ Auburn -23

Auburn got a little disinterested at Texas on Tuesday and hung on to win by 5. It would seem coach Bruce Pearl will make that known, especially for another away outing. No easy number to beat, but the Tigers are wholly capable.

#3 Iowa State @ Texas Tech
Power Rated ā€“ Iowa State -6.5

Nice win by the Red Raiders this week at BYU. Iowa State deserves the favorite role but if the spread is this large, Texas Tech is worth a look.

#9 Connecticut @ Georgetown
Power Rated ā€“ Connecticut -6

Georgetown finally has the right head coach and it shows at 12-3, vastly improved in all facets. The Huskies are good, but not great and they could get tested by the Hoyas. Taking the digits is worth pondering.

#11 Kansas @ Cincinnati
Power Rated ā€“ Kansas -6

Cincy lost by 20 at Baylor this week, so they should be ready. However, Bill Self is a smart guy and has tinkered with his starting lineup and might have found a connection. Bearcats play hard, and Kansas covers.

GamblersWorld,College Basketball,Free pick,College Basketball Betting preview,Alabama,Auburn,Connecticut,Duke,Iowa State,Kansas,Northwestern,Notre Dame,Oklahoma,Oregon,Penn State,South Carolina,Tennessee,Texas A&M,Texas Tech,SEC,BIG 12,KenPon,Doug Upstone#1 Tennessee @ Texas
Power Rated ā€“ Tennessee -9

Tennessee was thoroughly embarrassed at Florida, just another Rick Barnes big game failure. Texas never quit against Auburn but handled most of the contest. One would think the Vols would be angry, but they are not shooting well as a team. Tough call at this price.

#17 Oklahoma @ Georgia
Power Rated ā€“ Georgia -4

The Bulldogs could not have been more impressive in building a big lead against Kentucky, withstanding their best second-half push and putting them away. Georgia has better individual talent, however, Oklahoma is cohesive as a unit. See what the number is with the Sooners a possibility.

#5 Alabama @ #10 Texas A&M
Power Rated ā€“ Pick

This should be a fantastic battle. The Crimson Tide can score on anyone and play good enough defense to be disruptive. The Aggies have improved on offense and that helps them in a matchup like this. Too close to call, however, check the total for an OVER.

Sunday


#16 Michigan State @ Northwestern
Power Rated ā€“ Michigan State -4

Northwestern has a solid club and is well-coached and the Spartans are not a good shooting team from deep. If Michigan State is a larger favorite than this number, Northwestern appears to be a live underdog.

Nebraska @ #20 Purdue
Power Rated ā€“ Purdue -7

Mackey Arena is a hard place for visitors to leave with victories. Nebraska had Iowa on the ropes and couldnā€™t knock them out this week, falling in OT. This is the best Cornhuskers team weā€™ve seen in years and if they donā€™t emotionally let that loss to Hawkeyes linger, they can cover at Purdue.

#15 Oregon @ Penn State
Power Rated ā€“ Oregon -1

Interesting cross-country trip for Oregon. The Ducks have the better talent but Penn State is rugged at home. The concern for the Nittany Lions is they are in a schedule-grinder, having played Indiana (L), at Illinois (L) and have a trip to East Lansing on deck.

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