Men's college basketball picks today: Friday's best bets include Purdue vs. USC play [1/16/2026]

Today’s men's college basketball picks for January 16, 2026 are here, with Purdue vs. USC and BYU vs. Texas Tech among the top plays identified by our model across Friday’s men's college basketball action.

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

List of NCAAM picks tonight [1/16, updated 8:07PM ET]

Below, you’ll find today’s top 10 men's college basketball bets, ranked by edge for Friday, January 16, 2026.

USC +9.5 (-105)

• Edge: 10.8%
• Probability: 62%
• Matchup: Purdue vs. USC (6:00PM ET, Saturday)

Our model has identified value on USC +9.5 at -105 odds. A 62% probability produces an edge of 10.8%, making this the strongest play for today's men's college basketball slate.

BYU +3.5 (-118)

• Edge: 9.4%
• Probability: 63.5%
• Matchup: BYU vs. Texas Tech (8:00PM ET, Saturday)

BYU +3.5 carries a 9.4% edge and a probability of 63.5% at -118 odds, according to our model.

USC ML (+420)

• Edge: 9.0%
• Probability: 28.2%
• Matchup: Purdue vs. USC (6:00PM ET, Saturday)

USC ML at +420 odds shows a 9.0% edge, supported by a 28.2% probability in simulations.

Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech over 140.5 points (-105)

• Edge: 8.0%
• Probability: 59.2%
• Matchup: Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech (12:00PM ET, Saturday)

An 8.0% edge and 59.2% probability make Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech over 140.5 points at a value play in the Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech matchup, per our model.

Tennessee -6.5 (-102)

• Edge: 7.2%
• Probability: 57.7%
• Matchup: Kentucky vs. Tennessee (12:00PM ET, Saturday)

Tennessee -6.5 at -102 odds presents a 7.2% edge, with simulations resulting in a probability of 57.7%.

Minnesota vs. Illinois over 139.5 points (-105)

• Edge: 7.1%
• Probability: 58.3%
• Matchup: Minnesota vs. Illinois (12:00PM ET, Saturday)

Our model finds value on over 139.5 points in Minnesota vs. Illinois at -105 odds, supported by an edge of 7.1%.

Grand Canyon +5.5 (-105)

• Edge: 6.8%
• Probability: 58%
• Matchup: Utah State vs. Grand Canyon (2:30PM ET, Saturday)

Our model has uncovered value on Grand Canyon +5.5 at -105 odds. A 58% probability produces a 6.8% edge, making this a strong play for today's men's college basketball action.

UC Riverside +3.5 (-108)

• Edge: 6.5%
• Probability: 58.4%
• Matchup: Cal State Fullerton vs. UC Riverside (8:00PM ET, Saturday)

A 6.5% edge on a 58.4% probability makes UC Riverside +3.5 at -108 odds a solid value play in today's Cal State Fullerton vs. UC Riverside matchup.

North Carolina-Wilmington -6.5 (-115)

• Edge: 6.1%
• Probability: 59.5%
• Matchup: Campbell vs. North Carolina-Wilmington (7:00PM ET, Saturday)

Our model projects value on North Carolina-Wilmington -6.5 at -115 odds. A 59.5% probability produces a 6.1% edge, making North Carolina-Wilmington the favorable side in Saturday’s matchup.

UC Davis +2.5 (-108)

• Edge: 5.8%
• Probability: 57.7%
• Matchup: Utah State vs. Grand Canyon (5:00PM ET, Saturday)

Rounding out our top 10 bets, UC Davis +2.5 at -108 odds shows a 57.7% probability and a 5.8% edge.

NCAAM best bets summary: Friday, 1/16/2026

As of 8:07PM ET, here are our top men's college basketball bets by edge recommended by our model:

Matchup	Bet	Odds	Edge	Probability
Purdue vs. USC	USC +9.5	-105 @ FanDuel	10.8%	62%
BYU vs. Texas Tech	BYU +3.5	-118 @ BetMGM	9.4%	63.5%
Purdue vs. USC	USC ML	+420 @ FanDuel	9.0%	28.2%
Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech	Over 140.5 Points	-105 @ BetMGM	8.0%	59.2%
Kentucky vs. Tennessee	Tennessee -6.5	-102 @ BetMGM	7.2%	57.7%
Minnesota vs. Illinois	Over 139.5 Points	-105 @ DraftKings	7.1%	58.3%
Utah State vs. Grand Canyon	Grand Canyon +5.5	-105 @ BetMGM	6.8%	58%
Cal State Fullerton vs. UC Riverside	UC Riverside +3.5	-108 @ DraftKings	6.5%	58.4%
Campbell vs. North Carolina-Wilmington	North Carolina-Wilmington -6.5	-115 @ DraftKings	6.1%	59.5%
UC Irvine vs. UC Davis	UC Davis +2.5	-108 @ DraftKings	5.8%	57.7%

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

• Marquette vs. DePaul (8:30PM ET, Friday)
• Ohio vs. Ball State (8:30PM ET, Friday)
• Loyola Chicago vs. Dayton (8:30PM ET, Friday)
• Colorado State vs. Boise State (10:30PM ET, Friday)
• Virginia vs. SMU (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Kentucky vs. Tennessee (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Minnesota vs. Illinois (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Connecticut vs. Georgetown (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Georgia Tech vs. North Carolina State (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
• Notre Dame vs. Virginia Tech (12:00PM ET, Saturday)

Using Dimebot for betting research

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Conclusion

Our men's college basketball best bets are locked and loaded for January 16, 2026, featuring plays such as USC +9.5 and BYU +3.5. 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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