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PlayersBest.com / PlayersBest News / January College Basketball Preview & Upset Watch

January College Basketball Preview & Upset Watch

Publish Date: 01/22/2022
Fact checked by: David Howard

January College Basketball saw five of the top six teams lose at least one game this week. Now teams like Gonzaga, Auburn, Arizona, Kansas, & Houston will try to hold off conference rivals to stay at the top of the pack. Last week there nine upsets, this week there are fifteen. As March Madness creeps closer, keep up with the Best Basketball Betting Tips for winning big before the big tournament.

Upsets from Last Week

  • Oregon at #3 UCLA (84-81) – UCLA now #9
  • DePaul vs. #20 Seton Hall (96-92) -Seton Hall now unranked
  • Oklahoma State at #1 Baylor (61-54) – Baylor now #5
  • Oregon at #5 USC (79-69) -USC now #16
  • Northwestern at #10 Michigan State (64-62) -Michigan State now #14
  • Arkansas at #12 LSU (65-58) -LSU now #13
  • Kansas State vs. #18 Texas Tech (62-51)
  • Marquette vs. #20 Seton Hall (73-72) – Seton Hall now unranked
  • Mississippi State vs # 24 Alabama (78-76) – Alabama now unranked
  • Florida State vs. #6 Duke (79-78)
  • #18 Texas Tech vs. #15 Iowa State (72-60)
  • Kansas State at #23 Texas (66-65)
  • Marquette at #11 Villanova (57-54)
  • Alabama vs. #13 LSU (70-67)
  • Indiana vs. #4 Purdue (68-65)

January College Basketball Odds

January College Basketball showcases many different conference rivals playing against each other including the #3 Arizona Wildcats and the #9 UCLA Bruins.

January College Basketball Preview

#3 Arizona Wildcats at #9 UCLA Bruins

The Wildcats have only lost to the #24 Tennessee Volunteers this year and hold a fifteen and one record. Furthermore, they currently hold first place in the Pac 12 as the only undefeated team in conference play. UCLA dropped six spots in the ranking with another loss, this time to unranked Oregon. Juzang has not been playing to his NBA-caliber expectations so far this year, so watch Arizona take both the game and spread for this game in Westwood.

#12 Kentucky Wildcats at #2 Auburn Tigers

The SEC is the most overrated conference, as Kentucky is ranked 12th with no impressive wins this season. Expect this game to fall to a surprisingly impressive Auburn squad. Auburn might not have the five star recruits like Kentucky does, but they are playing together as a team better. This is evident from their fourteen game winning streak. Take the Tigers over the Wildcats, especially at home.

Best College Basketball Betting Apps

#14 Michigan State Spartans at #17 Illinois Fighting Illini

Both of these teams were having good seasons, and both teams lost at least once this past week. Illinois almost got the ‘W’ against #4 Purdue, but eventually fell to the Boilermakers in 2OT. After a hard-fought loss Illinois also fell to an average Maryland school, and it wasn’t even close (81-65). Michigan State lost a close game to unranked Northwestern by two points. However, the Spartans came back and won in Wisconsin who are ranked eighth in the nation. Watch Michigan State win again on the road, this time in one state south.

#18 Texas Tech Red Raiders at #7 Kansas Jayhawks

The Big 12 has been a wild ride. Every team in the Big 12 has a winning record and at least 10 wins of the season. Since the New Year Texas Tech is four and two beating then ranked #6 Kansas, #1 Baylor, #15 Iowa State, and Oklahoma State (who just upset #1 Baylor and #23 Texas). Their two losses are to #15 Iowa State and surprisingly to a decent Kansas State team. On the other hand Kansas, did lose to the Red Raiders, but have rebounded with victories against #15 Iowa State, Kansas State, & Oklahoma. Watch Kansas win the rubber match against Texas Tech on Kansas’ home court.

#13 LSU Tigers at #24 Tennessee Volunteers

This is the last game on the bill, only because both teams are ranked. They both benefit from the SEC perception, that their teams are somehow better than other conferences with the same record. Tennessee does have an impressive win against Arizona, but have lost to the other five ranked teams they have played so far. LSU is coming off of back to back losses to Arkansas and Alabama, but they will rebound against the Volunteers. LSU beat Tennessee earlier in the year 79-67.

Upset Watch

  • Iowa Hawkeyes vs #4 Purdue Boilermakers
  • Colorado Buffaloes vs. #9 UCLA Bruins
  • Marquette Golden Eagles vs. #20 Xavier Muskateers
  • Kansas State Wildcats vs. #7 Kansas Jayhawks
  • Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. #19 Ohio State Buckeyes

The Best Sportsbook Bonuses  will help maximize your winnings whether it is college basketball, Winter Olympics, or NFL Playoff betting.

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