Thursday CBB Best Bets Jan. 22: Can Wisconsin win 5 straight Big Ten games?

Thursday features a light college basketball slate with several mid-major schools and 2 high-major schools taking the floor on the fourth Thursday of January. Can UAB bounce back and cover as home underdogs against South Florida? Will scrappy Penn State hang tough with Wisconsin in a conference clash on Thursday? Read on for our Thursday CBB Best Bets Jan. 22 article.

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CBB Best Bet: UAB +2.5 over South Florida

I like the Blazers here. UAB is in a prime position to cover the 2.5-point spread as home underdogs because of their historical dominance over South Florida and their ability to rebound after a loss this season. The Blazers have been profitable in this spot all year, posting a 3-1 ATS record as underdogs and a 4-2 ATS mark following a defeat in 2025-26. Furthermore, the Blazers have absolutely owned this series lately, going 7-0 straight up and 4-2-1 ATS in their last seven meetings against the Bulls. Playing at home after a tough loss, the Blazers are well-positioned to secure an outright victory. Final score projection: UAB BLAZERS 82, SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS 78.

CBB Best Bet: Penn State +5.5 over Wisconsin

I’m backing the Nittany Lions in this game. Penn State is in a good spot to cover the 5.5-point spread as home underdogs due to their consistency at the Bryce Jordan Center and their history of playing Wisconsin tight. The Nittany Lions have been reliable in this specific role, posting a 3-1 ATS record as home underdogs and a solid 4-3 ATS mark in conference play this season. Most impressively, the Nittany Lions are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 meetings against the Badgers, proving that they consistently outperform expectations in this conference clash. With Penn State’s home crowd behind them, expect a gritty performance that keeps this contest within a possession. Final score projection: WISCONSIN BADGERS 76, PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS 73.