College Basketball Betting Picks for Tuesday 1/16/24

The college basketball season always provides a flurry of twists and turns that few saw coming -- especially when March Madness comes around. This can make college basketball one of the most challenging sports to bet on.

Fortunately, we have plenty of tools available that can aid our chances of taking the most favorable college basketball bets. Bart Torvik and KenPom are excellent sources that give insights into team-level efficiency, and Sports Reference provides a wide range of useful team stats, as well.

Let's check out FanDuel Sportsbook's college basketball odds and select some of the best bets of the day by utilizing the mentioned tools.

Please note lines are subject to change throughout the day after this article is published.

College Basketball Best Bets

Missouri Tigers at Alabama Crimson Tide

Over 161.5 (-120)

One year ago, Missouri was riding high as one of the SEC's surprise teams. A season later, the tables have turned with the Tigers sitting at 8-8 while carrying the longest odds to win the SEC (+25000) when looking at FanDuel's college basketball conference odds. Missouri could be in trouble of their fourth straight game on Tuesday against one of the conference's rising teams, Alabama.

Despite being unranked in the AP Top 25 Poll, the Crimson Tide are one of the nation's most efficient teams, ranking sixth in KenPom while boasting college basketball's top offense. Alabama's high-scoring offense at 90.1 points per game (PPG) is likely licking its chops for tonight's matchup considering the Tigers rank 144th in adjusted defense efficiency.

It only gets worse for Missouri; they rank in the bottom 40% in PPG allowed, in the bottom 36% of opponent two-point percentage, in the bottom 37% of three-point shots allowed per game, and in the bottom 22% in free throw attempts allowed per contest. The Tide excel in every area, ranking in the 95th percentile or bettor of two-point percentage, three-point attempts per game, and free throws shot per contest.

The Tigers' guards could especially be in trouble as Sean East II (17.1 PPG) and Nick Honor (10.3 PPG) have Defensive Bayesian Performance Ratings (DBPR) of under 0.30, per EvanMiya. This looks like a matchup nightmare as Alabama's guards -- Mark Sears (20.3 PPG) and Aaron Estrada (13.2 PPG) -- hold the top Offensive Bayesian Performance Ratings (OBPR) in the SEC.

The over could be the best bet for this matchup since the Crimson Tide's defense has been a weakness (58th in adjusted defensive efficiency). Missouri's offense has certainly dropped off -- 78th in efficiency compared to 9th last season -- but the Tigers still have some scoring in their DNA.

This attack is led by East, who has been one of the most improved players in the SEC. He could thrive on offense against Sears, who has a 0.83 DBPR. The Tigers rank in the 86th percentile of three-point shots per game, and Alabama is in the bottom 38% of three-point attempts allowed per game.

Both of these offenses like to push the pace, ranking in the top 30% nationally of field goal attempts per game. Defense has been the weakness of these SEC foes. Give me the over for Missouri-Alabama.

No. 19 TCU Horned Frogs at Cincinnati Bearcats

Cincinnati -2.5 (-112)

As usual, the Big 12 has essentially been chaos with one powerhouse after another falling. TCU has been one of the beneficiaries of these upsets as they took down then-No. 2 Houston on January 13. After winning back-to-back home games, the Horned Frogs hit the road to battle the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Cincinnati is on a bit of a slide with back-to-back losses -- one of which was their first home loss of the season. With TCU red-hot, the +116 moneyline could be an enticing bet, but when digging into the stats, the Bearcats could have the advantage. Why could the Frogs' two-game winning streak come to an end?

While the Cincy is 10-1 at home, they have failed to cover five consecutive point spreads in Fifth Third Arena. With advantage in the paint, this brutal stretch could finally come to an end.

TCU's offense relies on attacking the rim, ranking in the 87th percentile of two-point attempts per game and two-point percentage. However, the Bearcats have a solid paint defense, sitting in the top 100 of opponent two-point makes per game and two-point percentage. The frontcourt of Viktor Lakhin (2.34 DBPR) and Aziz Bandaogo (2.44 DBPR) both carry impressive defensive marks, and opponents are totaling only 22.4 points in the paint per game over the previous five contests.

The Horned Frogs also rank in the bottom 34% of two-point shots allowed per game while Cincinnati totals 42.4 two-point attempts per contest (90th percentile). The rebounding battle could also lean in favor of the Bearcats, for they rank in the 96th percentile of offensive and defensive rebounding percentage while TCU is ranks outside the top 70 in defensive rebounding percentage.

With Cincinnati's success at home and potential advantages in the painted area and on the glass, the Bearcats could be poised for a cover.

No. 24 Iowa State Cyclones at No. 20 BYU Cougars

Iowa State +4.5 (-110)

The Big 12 continues to provide loaded slates, and none of Tuesday's matchups could be better than No. 24 Iowa State against No. 20 BYU. The 4.5-point spread suggest that the Cougars will come away with a win. However, BYU has struggled with a 1-2 record while going 0-3 against the spread (ATS) over their previous three games.

Before this slide, the Cougars were one of the nation's most efficient teams, ranking among KenPom's best squads. They are now down to No. 11 in KenPom, which is nearly neck-and-neck with the Cyclones, who are ranked 12th. Following back-to-back wins, including one victory over Houston, Iowa State is riding high and could be bound for their third straight cover.

The Cyclones feature an elite defense with the second-best mark in adjusted defensive efficiency. Opponents also average only 58.4 PPG (third-best) while shooting 38.2% from the floor (ninth-best). The perimeter defense has been a problem at times, ranking in the bottom 23% of three-point attempts allowed per contest. Meanwhile, BYU attempts the second-most threes per game in the nation.

Fortunately, ISU's perimeter defense has tightened over the last two games with opponents averaging only seven threes per game while shooting 28.0% from deep. An improved perimeter defense paired with elite rim protection (second-best mark in made two-pointers allowed per game) have the Cyclones rolling in Big 12 play.

Iowa State's Tamin Lipsey (14.8 PPG) could be poised for another impressive performance after averaging 15.5 PPG in his last two outings. He has been one of the nation's top players with EvanMiya's seventh-best Bayesian Performance Rating (BPR), and Lipsey has a potential favorable matchup against the Cougars' Trevin Knell, who has the lowest DBPR in BYU's starting rotation at 1.00.

More looks around the rim could fuel ISU to another cover ATS, for they are in the 85th percentile of two-point percentage and two-pointers made per game. The Cougars are in the bottom 27% of two-point shots allowed per contest.

The recent strides made by the Cyclones' perimeter defense could carry a lot of weight for this matchup. Iowa State is playing like one of the best teams in the Big 12, and that could be on display yet again in Tuesday's clash with BYU.

Looking for more college basketball betting opportunities? Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook to check out all of the upcoming college basketball odds.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.