Happy Thursday. Hope you enjoyed a full Wednesday of college hoops.<\/p>\n
Best Bets for Thursday, January 29<\/p>\n
We\u2019re working with a smaller slate tonight, but there are still several strong spots on the board. <\/p>\n
We went 3-2 on Wednesday. On the season we are 197-188-2.<\/p>\n
As always, be sure to follow all of our picks throughout the season on BetStamp<\/a>.<\/p>\n Liberty Flames at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders<\/p>\n This Liberty team is very real. The Flames are 17-3 on the season and continue to look like one of the most reliable mid-major teams in the country. Zach Cleveland <\/a>is playing at a pro level and will be on NBA radars this spring.<\/p>\n Middle Tennessee is solid at home and the Murphy Center should have good energy, but Liberty has proven it can win anywhere. If the Flames take this one, it would be their 12th straight win and another strong road result.<\/p>\n Betting Pick: Liberty Flames -2 over Middle Tennessee Florida Atlantic Owls at Memphis Tigers<\/p>\n One of the best games on the Thursday slate. Florida Atlantic comes in at 14-7, while Memphis has struggled to find consistency despite its talent level.<\/p>\n This feels like a spot where Memphis<\/a> responds. The Tigers know they need a full 40-minute effort, and the urgency should be there at home. FAU drops a second straight, while Memphis snaps its skid.<\/p>\n Betting Pick: Memphis Tigers -1.5 over Florida Atlantic Oral Roberts Golden Eagles at South Dakota Coyotes<\/p>\n It has been a rough season for Oral Roberts, which has just five wins and is mired in a long losing streak. South Dakota has not been spectacular, but this matchup strongly favors the home team.<\/p>\n At home, the Coyotes should control the game and avoid letting Oral Roberts hang around.<\/p>\n Betting Pick: South Dakota Coyotes -4.5 over Oral Roberts North Dakota Fighting Hawks at St. Thomas Tommies<\/p>\n North Dakota sits at 12-12 and faces a St. Thomas team that has been playing strong, efficient basketball. The spread is sizable, but the matchup favors the Tommies.<\/p>\n St. Thomas<\/a> shoots it well, takes care of the ball, and should be in control for most of the night in St. Paul as it continues its push toward a potential conference title.<\/p>\n Betting Pick: St. Thomas Tommies -12.5 over North Dakota Washington Huskies at Illinois Fighting Illini<\/p>\n Illinois continues to look like one of the best teams in the country. Keaton Wagle<\/a>r is coming off his best performance of the season, and Brad Underwood\u2019s group shows no signs of letting up.<\/p>\n Even with a big weekend game looming, expect Illinois to stay locked in at home. Washington should have a tough time keeping pace in Champaign.<\/p>\n Betting Pick: Illinois Fighting Illini -12.5 over Washington
Final Score Prediction: Liberty 72, Middle Tennessee 68<\/p>\n
Final Score Prediction: Memphis 82, Florida Atlantic 80<\/p>\n
Final Score Prediction: South Dakota 79, Oral Roberts 73<\/p>\n
Final Score Prediction: St. Thomas 89, North Dakota 72<\/p>\n
Final Score Prediction: Illinois 90, Washington 70<\/p>\n