Saturday CBB Best Bets Jan. 31: Can Kansas avenge last year's loss to BYU?

Saturday features a full college basketball slate with several mid-major teams and a bevy of high-major schools taking the floor on the final day of January 2026. Can #1 Arizona cover a tough game against Arizona State as double-digit road favorites? Will #13 BYU knock off #14 Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse in a Big 12 clash on Saturday afternoon? Read on for our Saturday CBB Best Bets Jan. 31 article.

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CBB Best Bet: Arizona State +14.5 over Arizona

I like the Sun Devils here. Arizona State is primed to cover the 14.5-point spread against Arizona because of their consistency as a home underdog in 2025-26. This season, the Sun Devils have proven remarkably resilient in this role, boasting a 2-0 ATS record as home underdogs, an 8-4 ATS record as underdogs, and a solid 5-4-1 ATS mark at home. Their ability to stay competitive is further bolstered by their preparation; they are 8-6 ATS when playing on two or three days of rest, suggesting they maximize short windows to craft and execute game plans. Expect a high-energy performance in Tempe that keeps the margin within two touchdowns. Final score projection: ARIZONA WILDCATS 82, ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS 71.

CBB Best Bet: Kansas -4.5 over BYU

I’m backing the Jayhawks in this one. Kansas is well-positioned to cover the 4.5-point spread against BYU because they’ll be playing in the friendly confines of Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks are an impressive 6-3 ATS as the home team and have found their rhythm in league play with a 4-3 ATS record in conference games this year. Preparation will be the X-factor; the Jayhawks are 5-2 ATS when playing on 4+ days of rest and 5-3 ATS when holding the rest advantage this season. With their core healthy and the home crowd behind them, expect Kansas to pull away late and secure a relatively comfortable victory. Final score projection: KANSAS JAYHAWKS 82, BYU COUGARS 75.