Happy Friday, sports fans. Hope you have enjoyed the holidays. Now that the holidays are over, it’s time to get focused on the college basketball season. Keep the work up and let's grab some wins all through the month of January.
On Thursday, we went 2-3.
On the season, we are 139-121-4.
Here are our Friday picks. Be sure to follow them all at BetStamp.
Friday Night Edges: College Basketball Best Bets for January 2, 2026
Let's get to it.
USC Trojans at Michigan Wolverines
A ranked team catching more than 20 points is rare, but that is exactly the case here. USC Trojans open a tough three-game road stretch in Ann Arbor against a Michigan team that has looked dominant all season. The Wolverines are elite, but the number is simply too big. USC has enough athleticism and scoring to stay competitive even if Michigan controls the game.
Betting Pick: USC Trojans +22.5 over Michigan Wolverines
Final Score Prediction: Michigan 90, USC 70
Kennesaw State Owls at Liberty Flames
This matchup has real conference implications. Liberty Flames come in at 9–3 and are riding momentum after an overtime road win. Kennesaw State Owls have not played since December 21 and may show some rust after a long break. Expect a competitive start before Liberty pulls away late at home.
Betting Pick: Liberty Flames -8.5 over Kennesaw State Owls
Final Score Prediction: Liberty 77, Kennesaw State 67
Oregon Ducks at Maryland Terrapins
Both teams sit at 7–6, making this an important early January pivot point. Dana Altman’s Oregon Ducks are slight favorites despite the long trip east, a sign of trust in their tempo and guard play. Maryland Terrapins have struggled to close games, and that trend continues in a tight finish.
Betting Pick: Oregon Ducks -1.5 over Maryland Terrapins
Final Score Prediction: Oregon 78, Maryland 76
Louisville Cardinals at Stanford Cardinal
Louisville made a statement by blowing out California and now looks to turn that into a strong West Coast road swing. The Cardinals have been efficient offensively and difficult to slow down, while Stanford Cardinal continue to search for consistency. This one tilts firmly toward the road team.
Betting Pick: Louisville Cardinals -8.5 over Stanford Cardinal
Final Score Prediction: Louisville 91, Stanford 69
Michigan State Spartans at Nebraska Cornhuskers
The marquee game of the day. Nebraska Cornhuskers are one of the final unbeaten teams left in Division I, but this is a massive step up in competition. Michigan State Spartans bring physicality, experience, and poise on the road. In a tight, playoff-style Big Ten game, trust the Spartans to hand Nebraska its first loss.
Betting Pick: Michigan State Spartans +2.5 over Nebraska Cornhuskers
Final Score Prediction: Michigan State 72, Nebraska 70
Friday sets the tone for the first full weekend of January. These are the spots that stand out, whether you are following or fading. Track every play at BetStamp and stay sharp as conference season hits full stride.