Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CBB Picks, CBB Free Picks, CBB Predictions 2/4/25
- rbowe7447
- Feb 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 5
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
OKLAHOMA @ AUBURN (AUB -17.5, 154.5)
OKLAHOMA +17.5
Auburn, of course, is the No. 1 team in the nation. The Tigers' star Johnni Broome is a national Player of the Year award candidate. When he was out earlier this season, Auburn proved it has plenty of talent and plenty of depth to take on anyone.
The Tigers have now won 13 straight games and this weekend they will host No. 6 Florida in a huge SEC showdown. Now, Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl will surely have his team focused on tonight, but it's hard not to look ahead. Plus, 17.5 points is a bit much to lay against an Oklahoma team that is 16-5 this season.
The Sooners lost their first four SEC games but rebounded to win three of their last four. The most recent was a 30-point blowout win over a pretty good Vanderbilt team. Oklahoma has covered their last four games in a row and I think they can keep this one close enough to get another.
LLEGE BASKETBALL
MICHIGAN STATE @ UCLA (UCLA -2.5, 139.5)
MICHIGAN STATE +2.5
UCLA is the popular pick in this and for good reason. The Bruins have won five straight games since head coach Mick Cronin's epic rant and four consecutive losses. Two of the five wins were over Wisconsin and Oregon, both of which were ranked when the Bruins won.
UCLA is at home tonight, which is another plus. The Bruins are 11-1 SU and 8-4 ATS in their 12 home games this season. But...this is Tom Izzo and it's Tom Izzo in a situation like this. Michigan State is coming off a loss. In their previous two losses this season, the Spartans came back and won their next game.
Much will be said of UCLA's defense and how well it is playing. Yes, the Bruins are a top 25 defense, but the Spartans defense often gets overlooked. Sparty gives up just 67 points per game and Michigan State has allowed opponents to score more than 70 just 3 times in the past 12 games. MSU is 4-1 SU in its last 5 road games and 10-4 ATS in their last 14. I like the contrarian pick here.
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.
