NCAAB action report for Tuesday Jan. 23: Writing's on the wall, in chalk

The picks from Saturday and Sunday were 3-2 once again, hopefully, that added to some money to your account, offsetting any you might have lost on Buffalo on Sunday night. 

On Tuesday, we have several good games from the power conferences, so let's have a look more closely and find some winners.  

Let's get to it ...

Best Bets for Tuesday, Jan. 23

Houston Cougars @ BYU Cougars
9 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Spread: Houston -2.5

I suppose we are going to have to get used to Cougars vs. Cougars with both of these programs now in the Big 12. Houston is right where we expected them to be, No. 1 at KenPom, but both of their losses have been on the road this season. Both were against teams that pay attention to defense, though neither is as high in the metrics as BYU, which is currently 10th. This is going to be a very stiff test for a BYU team that needs to be able to shoot it to win. Only once have they won where they scored 70 points while Houston has yet to give up that many in a game this season.

Recommended Pick: Houston, especially if this one is under a possession. I would bet them all the way to -5 with confidence though. 

Kentucky Wildcats @ South Carolina Gamecocks
7 p.m. ET (ESPN, Fubo)
Spread: Kentucky -4.5

Kentucky has got a lot of eyes on them right now with the recent addition of big man Zvonimir Ivisic. His debut was pretty awesome and it is a little unfair that a team that has already gotten better and better as the season has progressed gets to add such a talent. South Carolina has only lost on the road this season and that is why they are enjoying such a strong record. The Gamecocks are going to take more losses though, a lot of them, and the only reason I can find to fade Kentucky in this spot is if you think this young team is due for a letdown on the road. There is logic in that thinking but I still like the Cats here. 

Recommended Pick. Kentucky. The Gamecocks just don't have the overall talent or that one special player (e.g. Devan Downey) to take down one of the elite teams this season.

Ohio State Buckeyes @ Nebraska Cornhuskers
7 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Spread: Nebraska -1.5

This is the best season that head coach Fred Hoiberg has had since coming to Nebraska. The key is whether they can stay above .500 in the Big Ten (and maybe make the NCAAs). At home, they have been really good including a win over Purdue (a beatdown, really) that is aging well of course. The key for them tonight is the location. Ohio State might be the more talented team and if the game was at OSU they would likely be favored. The Buckeyes' best win is over Alabama but they they lack a "leadership" type of player so critical in games like this on the road.  

Recommendation Pick: Nebraska is the play at home. I know you don't know much about the Huskers, who does, but don't let that push you off them. They just have to win, really at this number.