Men's college basketball picks today: Friday's best bets include Oregon State vs. Pacific play [1/2/2026]

Today’s men's college basketball picks for January 2, 2026 are here, with Oregon State vs. Pacific and Notre Dame vs. California among the top plays identified by our model across Friday’s men's college basketball slate.

Dimers’ predictive analytics engine runs 24/7, searching the latest men's college basketball odds to discover genuine betting edges. The result? Data-backed picks that help Dimers Pro members make smarter decisions.

List of NCAAM picks tonight [1/2, updated 9:34PM ET]

Below, you’ll find today’s top 10 men's college basketball bets, ranked by edge for Friday, January 2, 2026.

Oregon State +3.5 (-102)

• Edge: 5.0%
• Probability: 55.5%
• Matchup: Oregon State vs. Pacific (10:00PM ET, Friday)

Our model has identified value on Oregon State +3.5 at -102 odds. A 55.5% probability produces an edge of 5.0%, making this the strongest play for today's men's college basketball slate.

Notre Dame vs. California over 139.5 points (-105)

• Edge: 5.0%
• Probability: 56.2%
• Matchup: Notre Dame vs. California (11:00PM ET, Friday)

Notre Dame vs. California over 139.5 points carries a 5.0% edge and a probability of 56.2% at -105 odds, according to our model.

San Francisco -11.5 (-105)

• Edge: 4.7%
• Probability: 55.9%
• Matchup: San Diego vs. San Francisco (10:00PM ET, Friday)

San Francisco -11.5 vs. San Diego at -105 odds shows a 4.7% edge, supported by a 55.9% probability in simulations.

Loyola Chicago +8.5 (-108)

• Edge: 7.9%
• Probability: 59.8%
• Matchup: Dayton vs. Loyola Chicago (2:00PM ET, Saturday)

A 7.9% edge and 59.8% probability make Loyola Chicago +8.5 vs. Dayton at a value play in the Dayton vs. Loyola Chicago matchup, per our model.

Kansas State +7.5 (-110)

• Edge: 7.6%
• Probability: 60%
• Matchup: BYU vs. Kansas State (1:30PM ET, Saturday)

Kansas State +7.5 at -110 odds presents a 7.6% edge, with simulations resulting in a probability of 60%.

Kansas State ML (+275)

• Edge: 7.5%
• Probability: 34.1%
• Matchup: BYU vs. Kansas State (1:30PM ET, Saturday)

Our model finds value on Kansas State to win at +275 odds, supported by an edge of 7.5%.

Nevada -6.5 (-110)

• Edge: 7.4%
• Probability: 59.8%
• Matchup: Nevada vs. Fresno State (7:00PM ET, Saturday)

Our model has uncovered value on Nevada -6.5 at -110 odds. A 59.8% probability produces a 7.4% edge, making this a strong play for today's men's college basketball action.

Cincinnati +7.5 (-102)

• Edge: 6.8%
• Probability: 57.3%
• Matchup: Houston vs. Cincinnati (2:00PM ET, Saturday)

A 6.8% edge on a 57.3% probability makes Cincinnati +7.5 at -102 odds a solid value play in today's Houston vs. Cincinnati matchup.

SIU-Edwardsville ML (-235)

• Edge: 6.7%
• Probability: 76.9%
• Matchup: Morehead State vs. SIU-Edwardsville (4:30PM ET, Saturday)

Our model projects value on SIU-Edwardsville to win at -235 odds. A 76.9% probability produces a 6.7% edge, making SIU-Edwardsville the favorable ML play in Saturday’s matchup.

South Carolina ML (+750)

• Edge: 6.5%
• Probability: 18.3%
• Matchup: Nevada vs. Fresno State (2:00PM ET, Saturday)

Rounding out our top 10 bets, South Carolina to defeat Vanderbilt at +750 odds shows an 18.3% probability and a 6.5% edge.

NCAAM best bets summary: Friday, 1/2/2026

As of 9:34PM ET, here are our top men's college basketball bets by edge recommended by our model:

Matchup	Bet	Odds	Edge	Probability
Oregon State vs. Pacific	Oregon State +3.5	-102 @ DraftKings	5.0%	55.5%
Notre Dame vs. California	Over 139.5 Points	-105 @ DraftKings	5.0%	56.2%
San Diego vs. San Francisco	San Francisco -11.5	-105 @ BetMGM	4.7%	55.9%
Dayton vs. Loyola Chicago	Loyola Chicago +8.5	-108 @ DraftKings	7.9%	59.8%
BYU vs. Kansas State	Kansas State +7.5	-110 @ BetMGM	7.6%	60%
BYU vs. Kansas State	Kansas State ML	+275 @ DraftKings	7.5%	34.1%
Nevada vs. Fresno State	Nevada -6.5	-110 @ BetMGM	7.4%	59.8%
Houston vs. Cincinnati	Cincinnati +7.5	-102 @ FanDuel	6.8%	57.3%
Morehead State vs. SIU-Edwardsville	SIU-Edwardsville ML	-235 @ BetMGM	6.7%	76.9%
Vanderbilt vs. South Carolina	South Carolina ML	+750 @ DraftKings	6.5%	18.3%

List of upcoming men's college basketball games to bet on now

• Pepperdine vs. Santa Clara (10:00PM ET, Friday)
• Portland vs. Saint Mary's (10:00PM ET, Friday)
• Oregon State vs. Pacific (10:00PM ET, Friday)
• San Diego vs. San Francisco (10:00PM ET, Friday)
• Notre Dame vs. California (11:00PM ET, Friday)
• Virginia vs. North Carolina State (11:00AM ET, Saturday)
• Kentucky vs. Alabama (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Clemson vs. Pittsburgh (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Providence vs. St. John's (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Villanova vs. Butler (12:00PM ET, Saturday)

What Is Dimebot?

Dimebot is Dimers’ AI bet assistant, designed to surface swift insights, answer betting questions, and help you explore data more efficiently.

Conclusion

Our men's college basketball best bets are locked and loaded for January 2, 2026, featuring plays such as Oregon State +3.5 and over 139.5 points in the Notre Dame vs. California matchup. Powered by advanced simulations, these picks are here to boost your betting game.

This article, enhanced by AI and automation, aims to deliver accurate college basketball insights quickly, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on current data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

All odds and probabilities in this article are correct and accurate at the time of publication.

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