College Basketball Best Bets: Predictions for Key Games on Saturday, January 31

Today is a great day for college basketball, with many of the nation’s best teams in action. So, for our College Basketball Best Bets list for the day, we will focus on several of these teams. Why? Talking about the nation’s best teams is more fun than talking about the perennial losers.

These are the games you are more likely to watch. So, let’s make them more exciting by putting a little money down! On that note, let’s take a good look at a few of today’s games.

(Photo by Andy Hancock/NCAA Photos/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Predictions for Ole Miss vs. No. 18 Vanderbilt

After last season’s Sweet 16 run, fans had high hopes for the Rebels in 2025-26. But the season has not gone according to plan. They were 8-5 entering SEC play and have struggled against opponents from arguably the toughest basketball conference in the country, going 3-4 in the SEC.

Vanderbilt, however, seemed to pick up where the football team left off, starting the season with a 16-game winning streak. But then it hit a rut, losing to Texas, No. 19 Florida, and No. 20 Arkansas. The Commodores have since bounced back with dominant wins against Mississippi State and Kentucky.

• Our Pick: Vanderbilt -10.5 at -110 (Caesars)

Has Vanderbilt fixed whatever was broken in its three-game losing streak? We will not know for certain until it faces another competitive team, which Ole Miss is not. The Commodores had trouble against two ranked opponents and a solid Texas team. Ole Miss is neither of those things.

Don't pay attention to defense in Saturday's Vanderbilt-Ole Miss matchup

The Rebels can play decent defense, but they struggle on the offensive end (No. 221 in scoring and 257 in field goal percentage). Vanderbilt isn’t known for its defense, but that will not matter in this game. It’ll do more than enough on the offensive end to cover the spread.

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Predictions Kentucky vs. No. 15 Arkansas

Kentucky (14-7, 5-3 SEC) may not be the dominant force of years past, but the Wildcats are still a solid squad. While they are only 12th in the conference in scoring (81.2 points per game; No. 83 in the country), they have the second-best defense in the SEC, allowing 70.8 points per game.

As for Arkansas (16-5, 6-2 SEC), the Razorbacks have been getting by with outscoring opponents using their fast-paced, efficient offense. They’ve needed to play that way, however, because they are not good on the defensive end of the court (No. 13 in the SEC; 77.2 points per game allowed).

• Our Pick: OVER 161.5 at -110 (Caesars)

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Expect plenty of points when betting on Saturday's game between Kentucky and Arkansas

It is too easy to make a case for either team to win this game. Kentucky is a better team than its record would indicate; it just has had the unfortunate luck of playing a lot of really good teams (and losing; 2-6 vs. ranked teams). The Wildcats give Arkansas a solid fight. But the TOTAL is the best bet for this game. We know Arkansas will put up some points, like it has all season.

Kentucky’s offense will pick up the pace against Arkansas’s questionable defense to push the final score OVER the TOTAL.

Predictions for No. 2 UConn vs. Creighton

UConn is once again one of the best teams in the country. The Huskies are undefeated in Big East play (10-0) and have just one loss on the season, to then-No. 4 Arizona, 71-67. Otherwise, they are 5-1 vs. ranked opponents. It will take an incredible effort for any team to beat the Huskies.

A case can be made for Creighton doing just that, but it seems unlikely. Yes, the Bluejays have a solid history against the Huskies, winning nine of 12 meetings all-time. But Creighton has struggled to maintain a consistent level of play, alternating wins and losses since December 30.

• Our Pick: UConn -6.5 at -114 (FanDuel)

Betting on UConn comes with its caveats as of late

UConn has been flirting with danger in recent weeks, going 3-7 ATS in conference play and failing to cover in its last 7 games. But we are talking about a Creighton team that just got destroyed by Marquette, 86-62. There is no reason why the Bluejays should keep this one close.

That is, unless UConn lets them stay close.

Predictions for Saint Mary’s vs. No. 6 Gonzaga

Gonzaga typically doesn’t face much competition in conference play and rolls through that part of its schedule en route to March Madness. That is, unless the Bulldogs are playing Saint Mary’s. The Gaels have a history of being competitive vs. Gonzaga if not winning outright.

To be fair, Gonzaga owns the all-time series lead, 51-17. But Saint Mary’s has won three of the last four meetings and four of the last six. But will this be one of those years? Saint Mary’s comes into this game 19-3, 8-1 with a conference loss to Santa Clara and nonconference losses to Boise State and Vanderbilt.

The Gaels have a respectable offense that averages 78.6 points per game and the No. 12 defense in the country. Gonzaga is averaging 88.9 points per game and allowing 66.5.

• Our Pick: UNDER 165.5 at -110 (FanDuel)

Braden Huff's absence could play into betting decision for Gonzaga vs. Saint Mary's

The problem with these teams is that neither plays a competitive schedule, making it hard to judge just how good either is until they face each other. But I can see Saint Mary’s defense keeping Gonzaga’s offense in check, especially with Braden Huff out. I’m not confident the Gael’s offense will fare too well against the Gonzaga defense.