College Basketball Betting Picks for Tuesday 1/2/24

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

Iowa Hawkeyes at No. 21 Wisconsin Badgers

Over 152.5 (-115)

College basketball is entering the new year with conference play going into full effect for most teams. Iowa and Wisconsin are colliding in a Big Ten battle on Tuesday -- which is one of three Big Ten matchups for tonight.

The Hawkeyes and Badgers feature exceptional offenses, with Iowa holding KenPom's 22nd-best adjusted offensive efficiency while Wisconsin has the 13th-best mark in the category. For college football fans, Iowa-Wisconsin can be like watching paint dry. When it comes to college basketball, it could be the complete opposite as this one's gearing up to be a high-scoring affair.

With two good offenses colliding, I like the over for this matchup. Let's dive into the evidence.

First off, neither defense has excelled. The Hawkeyes rank 136th adjusted defensive efficiency. Per usual, teams led by coach Fran McCaffery struggle on the defensive end. Iowa gives up 77.2 points per game (PPG) -- which ranks in the bottom 14% -- and opponents shoot 44.1% from the field (bottom 32%).

The Hawkeyes' interior defense could be a big problem against the Badgers. Wisconsin relies on their paint attack with 38.1 two-point attempts per game (62nd percentile) compared to 19.0 three-point shots per contest (bottom 16%). Iowa gives up 41.5 two-point shots per game (bottom 11%).

The Badgers' Steven Crowl (12.8 PPG) and Tyler Wahl (10.8 PPG) could be poised for big games. They regularly attack the rim as the two have combined for only 18 three-point shots on the season.

Defensive efficiency can be boosted by limiting the opposition's field goal attempts. This directly applies to Wisconsin, who has the 37th-best adjusted defensive efficiency. The Badgers are in the bottom 25% of opponent FG%, yet they allow only 64.9 PPG (87th percentile) by limiting opponents to only 52.0 field goal attempts per contest (98th percentile).

The Hawkeyes have the ability to speed up the tempo with the 14th-quickest pace in the nation. The defense creates havoc by forcing 8.6 steals per game (85th percentile). This could allow Iowa to run in the open court with fast break points.

Iowa's offense is also extremely efficient with a 47.9 FG% (90th percentile). With opponents touting solid shooting numbers against Wisconsin, Iowa could put up points today.

With both squads averaging over 74.0 PPG, this could be a high-scoring game with the over hitting.

No. 8 North Carolina Tar Heels at Pittsburgh Panthers

Pittsburgh Moneyline (+152)

Following back-to-back wins and covers, the North Carolina Tar Heels play their second ACC game of the year tonight, this one against the Pittsburgh Panthers. While Pittsburgh is 7-2 at home and 4-1 over their previous five contests, the Panthers are 1-3 against the spread (ATS) in their last four games.

UNC has KenPom's 9th-best adjusted offensive efficiency while Pittsburgh ranks 63rd in the category. However, Pitt has a solid defense, ranking 44th in KenPom's adjusted defensive efficiency.

The Panthers rank in the 87th percentile of PPG allowed and in the 88th percentile of opponent FG%. The Tar Heels' three-point shooting could crack Pittsburgh's stingy defense, though.

North Carolina is in the 65th percentile of made three-pointers per game, and the Panthers are in the bottom 34% of opponent three-point shots per game. RJ Davis, who leads UNC with 21.6 PPG, has been blistering hot from three-point land over his last two games, making 8 of 15 attempts (53.3%).

Outside of the Tar Heels' three-point shooting, Pittsburgh has a list of advantages. They rank in the 94th percentile of three-point shots per game, and UNC is in the bottom 18% of opponent three-pointers attempted and converted per contest.

The Panthers could also win the possession battle as they are in the 87th percentile of offensive rebounding percentage and 99th percentile in defensive rebounding percentage. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels rank outside the top 100 in rebounds per game.

Thanks to Pittsburgh's exceptional defense and rebounding, an upset could be brewing in Petersen Events Center -- especially with UNC's weak perimeter defense.

No. 1 Purdue Boilermakers at Maryland Terrapins

Purdue -6.5 (-110)

According to FanDuel's college basketball national championship odds, Purdue is the favorite to cut down the nets (+800). Despite the Boilermakers' excellent start, they are 1-1 in Big Ten play (courtesy of Northwestern's 92-88 win on December 1).

Purdue is looking to grab their second conference win tonight against Maryland. While the Terrapins are 9-4, they are 74th in KenPom's rankings. Maryland is 134th in adjusted offensive efficiency compared to the Boilermakers holding the 2nd-best mark in the category.

The Terrapins have an excellent perimeter defense, giving up the fewest three-point shots per game in the nation. This could help slow Purdue's backcourt of Lance Jones (10.8 PPG) and Fletcher Loyer (11.5 PPG). However, Maryland's weak interior defense could lead to a lopsided loss.

Stopping the Boilermakers' Zach Edey -- who averages 23.2 PPG and 10.2 rebounds per game (RPG) -- is typically at the top of to-do lists when facing Purdue. The Terrapins rank in the bottom 10% of opponent two-point shots per contest.

Opponents shoot only 42.4% on two-point looks (97th percentile) against the Terrapins, but Maryland may simply lack the size to slow Edey. The Terrapins' frontcourt is manned by the 6-foot-9 Julian Reese and 6-foot-8 Donta Scott.

Maryland could be forced to throw double teams at the 7-foot-4 Edey. This would then likely open up more three-point looks for Purdue, who shoots 38.4% from beyond the arc (94th percentile).

Ultimately, the Terrapins' defense should be put into a bind due to their lack of size. The Boilermakers' offense could prove to be too much, leading to a Purdue cover.

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.