Best College Basketball Picks Today: Purdue Takes Top Spot In Big Ten

After Michigan State dropped back-to-back games, the Purdue Boilermakers have surged into the top spot in the Big Ten.

Now, Purdue will hope to create separation from the Spartans on Friday night when it faces the USC Trojans.

Meanwhile, the No. 12 St. John’s Red Storm will look to extend their winning streak to 10 games when they travel to Storrs to take on No. 19 UConn.

Keep reading below for our best college basketball picks today!

Odds for today's college basketball games are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Place a $5 bet at FanDuel and Get $200 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins

USC @ No. 7 Purdue Odds

• Date: Friday, February 7

• Time: 7:00 pm EST

• Moneyline: USC +640 | Purdue -1000

• Spread: USC +12.5 (-102) | Purdue -12.5 (-120)

• Total: Over 147.5 (-105) | Under 147.5 (-115)

All odds are available via FanDuel Sportsbook but are subject to change.

PICK: USC +12.5 (-102) at FanDuel

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With the emergence of Clark Slajchert, the Trojans could see an infusion to their offensive attack, especially if Desmond Claude can return to the floor.

Slajchert was a UPenn standout and hasn’t seen the floor much this season, but proved he is more than capable of contributing valuable minutes in the Trojans’ last game.

Further, USC is 4-1 against the spread as a road team this season, and Purdue is coming off back-to-back emotional wins. The Boilers could be in for a letdown game.

USC Prediction

USC has had a roller coaster season, losing games against Northwestern and Indiana, but logging impressive wins versus Michigan State and Illinois.

The Trojans have performed well on the road recently, winning two of their past three away games.

In fact, a two-point loss to Northwestern was their only blip in that stretch, and star guard Desmond Claude was sidelined.

In Claude’s absence, senior guard Clark Slajchert poured in 24 points on an eye-popping 9-for-11 shooting from the field.

Don’t be surprised if Slajchert finds more minutes even when Claude returns; they could be a solid backcourt duo that could help this team make a late-season run.

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Purdue Prediction

There aren’t many programs that can lose a two-time Wooden Award winner and still find a way to be one of the top teams in the country.

But Matt Painter has built the Boilers into a program that can be a conference contender every season. And it certainly doesn’t hurt having a star point guard like Braden Smith, either.

Smith has been tremendous all year, but his last game against Iowa best encapsulates his 2024-25 season: he finished with 31 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists while playing 40 minutes.

Purdue ranks 10th in adjusted offensive efficiency and 11th in eFG% behind the trio of Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn. 

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No. 12 St. John's @ No. 19 UConn Odds

• Date: Friday, February 7

• Time: 8:00 pm EST

• Moneyline: St. John's +104 | UConn -125

• Spread: St. John's +1.5 (-110) | UConn -1.5 (-110)

• Total: Over 141.5 (-115) | Under 141.5 (-105)

All odds are available via FanDuel Sportsbook but are subject to change.

PICK: UConn -1.5 (-110) at FanDuel

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This will be a game of contrasting styles, as the Huskies prefer to play slow and pick opponents apart in the half-court, while the Red Storm prefer playing fast and wreaking havoc.

UConn had been protecting the ball well this season before its game against Marquette, in which it turned the ball over 25 times. Somehow, the Huskies still won.

I expect UConn’s turnover issue to be cleaned up. And the Huskies have been very good on their home floor over the past few seasons.

St. John's Prediction

The Red Storm have the fourth-ranked defense nationally and currently occupy the top spot in the Big East, holding a one-game lead over Creighton.

St. John’s is an incredibly physical and aggressive team, utilizing their lightning quick hands and feet to wreak havoc and cause turnovers. 

In fact, the Johnnies rank 10th in opponent turnovers and 22nd in opponent eFG%.

Teams that have success against St. John’s will slow the game down and protect the ball, so that the Johnnies are unable to turn their defense into offense.

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UConn Prediction

After winning back-to-back titles, and being one of the preseason odds favorites to secure the rare three-peat, UConn has had a disappointing year.

UConn’s shortcomings are on defense, where it ranks 115th in adjusted defensive efficiency and 87th in opponent eFG%.

Still, the Huskies will have occasional success against talented teams due to their offensive firepower, which includes freshman Liam McNeeley, forward Alex Karaban, and scoring guard Solo Ball.

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