Best Bets for January 29, 2024
Best Bets for January 29, 2024
Jaguars Put the Pressure On Delta Devils
On one hand, Sunday worked out well for me on the gridiron. I liked the Lions getting 7.5 points, and it worked out for me despite Dan Gamble, er, Campbell getting too aggressive on fourth downs. On the hardwood, it was a different story, as Nevada started cold and never got any better, getting blown away by New Mexico.
Monday doesn’t give a lot of options, but we’ve got a few plays to put on the docket. For a deeper dive on Duke-Virginia Tech and Houston-Texas, I’ve got you covered on Godzilla Wins.
Here are my best bets for January 29.
College Basketball
Mississippi Valley State at Southern
SWAC teams don’t get to play at home very often outside of their conference schedule. When Southern does get to play in front of its fans, it puts on a show. The Jaguars have covered all four home games this season and won three by double digits.
This one has the potential to get ugly. Southern ranks second in the SWAC in steals and 30th in the nation at turning turnovers into points. Mississippi Valley State leads the nation in turnovers at 17 per game. As long as the Jaguars cash in on offense, it’s hard to see the Delta Devils staying in this game.
Pick: Southern -18.5 (-110)
Jackson State at Florida A&M
Jackson State used to be a methodical, patient basketball team when Wayne Brent patrolled the sidelines. But now Mo Williams runs the show in Mississippi’s capital, and over the past two seasons, he’s turned the Tigers into a running team.
Florida A&M hasn’t seen that yet against Jackson State. All four games in this brief series (the Rattlers joined the SWAC just two years ago) have seen the winner fail to break 70. That shouldn’t repeat itself here. Jackson State both has the edge with steals and with offensive rebounding, and I don’t think the Rattlers can keep up. The team total is tempting on the Tigers, but I think I’ll ride with the spread instead.
Pick: Jackson State -5.5 (-110)
New Orleans at Lamar
New Orleans can’t stop a nosebleed. The Privateers have allowed five of their seven Southland opponents to hit 80 points, and they’re coming off giving up 102 to McNeese State last time out. At Lamar’s quick pace, this might be a case of first to 90 wins.
And that’s probably going to be Lamar, because the Cardinals have played out four home Southland games and won them all by double digits. Having them give just nine to New Orleans seems too low. Like with Jackson State, the Cardinals’ team total over is very tempting, but the spread offers better value.
Pick: Lamar -9 (-110)
Alabama A&M at Prairie View
Here’s one where I will take a total: the over just makes too much sense here. Alabama A&M does one thing well: get to the foul line early and often. Prairie View sends teams to the foul line like nobody’s business, and that’s bad news against the Bulldogs, who are excellent free throw shooters.
When the Bulldogs don’t get a foul, they usually throw the ball away. And if there’s one thing Prairie View knows how to do, it’s turn turnovers into points.
Both offenses have the edge here, and the total’s not exorbitant. The over is the play.
Pick: Over 146 (-110)
Soccer
AS Roma vs. Salernitana
Roma has to get a win here. With the second half of the season underway in Serie A, there won’t be too many opportunities for three points away from home. This is one of the easiest, as Salernitana sits at the foot of the table and doesn’t play good defense.
Four straight opponents have left the Arechi Stadium with exactly two goals, and three of them emerged victorious. If you want to get aggressive, play Roma and Over 1.5 goals at +110. If you’re looking for a prop play, back a red card at +285, as three of Salernitana’s past four home matches have seen someone shown a red.
If you’re looking for my preferred play, I’m taking Roma to win.
Pick: AS Roma ML (-155)