Best College Basketball Picks and Player Props Today, January 26, 2026
When weather gets involved with college sports, college basketball usually isn’t something that’s affected. Football requires adjustments to cold temperatures and rainy conditions, and baseball’s schedule can get wiped out quickly if a storm arrives. But basketball is usually safe from the elements.
That’s not necessarily true for the NCAAB slate of action on January 26.
A massive winter storm has made travel very difficult or impossible across much of the Midwest and Southeast, which has some games looking more like a question mark. One such game is Louisville against Duke, with icy conditions in Durham making the game’s completion questionable. As of this writing, Duke plans to play, but has encouraged its fans to give up tickets to students in order to minimize the number of cars on the road.
With travel difficulties becoming a factor, there’s more to think about than usual for this set of college basketball picks and player props. Here are some of the best options, with the caveat that bettors need to first make sure the game will go on as scheduled.
Best NCAAB Parlay Picks
#1 Penn State vs. Ohio State (154.5, -110, FanDuel)
Penn State has put together some truly wretched defensive performances away from home. In three road games in the Big Ten, the Nittany Lions have given up an average of 100.3 points per game, with the lowest total being Purdue’s 93. Even playing at home wasn’t enough to save the Nittany Lions last time; they allowed 98 to Wisconsin.
Ohio State should be ready for a bounce-back game on offense after falling by 12 to Michigan. The Buckeyes are at their best on offense, and Penn State barely gets in a defensive stance when it leaves the Bryce Jordan Center. As long as the Nittany Lions give even a half-decent performance on offense, the over should be within reach.
#2 Arizona (-1.5, -110, Caesars Sportsbook) vs. BYU
Going to the Marriott Center is never an easy task, but Arizona has appeared to be on another level this season. The Wildcats are coming off blowout wins over Cincinnati and West Virginia at home, and only two of their 20 wins have come by fewer than six points.
BYU has looked a little off in its past four games. The Cougars managed to sweep rival Utah, but those wins came with more difficulty than they should have. They were never close against Texas Tech, and their offense has been the problem. BYU isn’t making shots right now, and any team has to make shots to keep up with Arizona.
With the Wildcats only giving a basket, they’re the sensible play on the road.
NCAAB Parlay Pick: Penn State-Ohio State Over 154.5/Arizona -1.5 (+263)
Best College Basketball Prop Picks
#1 Cameron Boozer, Over 33.5 Points and Rebounds, (-111, FanDuel)
In the first meeting between Duke and Louisville, Boozer took over the game in the second half. Duke outscored the Cardinals by 20 points over the final 20 minutes, and much of that was because of Boozer’s 27 points and eight rebounds.
Only Florida State has managed to slow Boozer down, and that had more to do with the Seminoles forcing him to pass, giving him nine assists in a 91-87 Blue Devil victory. Louisville isn’t likely to do that, opting to focus on trying to stop Duke’s other options. Boozer should again be able to have a big game.
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