Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 1/25/25

Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 1/25/25

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

MICHIGAN STATE @ RUTGERS (MSU -5.5, 149.5)

RUTGERS +5.5

Michigan State has won 11 straight games and they are now the No. 8-ranked team in the country. Rutgers, on the other side, has been struggling. The Scarlet Knights have just two wins in their last six games. But, Rutgers does have two future NBA draft picks in Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper.

Harper actually missed a couple games earlier this month. While he was out, Rutgers lost three consecutive games to Indiana, Wisconsin, and Purdue. With Harper back in the lineup and healthy, Rutgers has won two of its last three games. The Knights are a pretty good defensive team and they are very disciplined.

tgers does not foul a lot, which could present an issue for Michigan State. The Spartans get 23 percent of their points from free throws. If they don't get those points at the line today, they'll need to find them elsewhere.

The Scarlet Knights play very well at home this season. They are 8-2 SU on their home floor in 2024-25. This could be an upset waiting to happen but, at the very least, I think Rutgers can keep this nationally televised game pretty close.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

SAN DIEGO STATE @ NEVADA (NEV -3, 131)

NEVADA -3

If you know anything about San Diego State basketball, you know that it's a pretty good program. The Aztecs have been to each of the last four NCAA tournaments. Just two years ago, they played in the national championship game. They lost that game, but last year the Aztecs went right back to the Sweet Sixteen.

This year? This year's team could be the worst Aztecs team since Brian Dutcher took over as head coach of the program back in 2017. San Diego State is still winning games. They're 14-4 overall and the defense is still pretty solid. The Aztecs allow 63.5 points per game. However, this year's defensive unit is probably a bit overrated. That was evident in the Aztecs last two games.

San Diego State gave up 76 points in consecutive games to UNLV and Air Force. Against Air Force, the Aztecs sent the Falcons to the free throw line 44 times! SDSU needed a late bucket to beat Air Force by one point. The Aztecs failed to cover the spread in that game making it 1-3 ATS in their last four games.

Nevada is like most Mountain West teams in that the Wolfpack play very well at home. They are 8-3 SU at home this season. They've won 3 of their last 4 games with the only loss coming to a very good Utah State team. Historically, Mountain West teams cover at home and I like Nevada to do just that tonight.

Ylose expert Coach Rick Bowe delivers his daily Quick Picks. The Coach continues to roll up big wins in college basketball, college football, the NFL, MLB and much more. Coach Rick offers a unique perspective to handicapping. Check out his daily free picks right here and jump on his daily Best Bets, which you can find right here at Ylose.com/coach.