College Basketball Best Bets and Game Recaps for January 25, 2026
Key Insights
Florida Atlantic Owls defeated South Florida Bulls 64-63, powered by a strong third-quarter performance and 11 made 3-pointers. Grace Carstensen and Jess Moors led FAU in scoring.
Florida Atlantic is 6-1 in league play, while South Florida sits 4-2.
Mercyhurst Lakers are likely to win big at home against Chicago State Cougars, who have struggled significantly in recent seasons.
Southern Illinois Salukis, despite a four-game losing streak and injuries, are expected to perform well against Evansville Purple Aces, who have not won a home conference game this year.
AAC now owns the single WORST home court advantage in the nation, one of only three conference where home teams are BELOW .500 on the year (20-26, .435).
In-Depth Analysis
The January 25, 2026 college basketball slate saw interesting matchups and betting opportunities. The Florida Atlantic (FAU) Owls secured a narrow victory over the South Florida (USF) Bulls, with a decisive third-quarter performance. Jess Moors had a career-high 21 points, and Grace Carstensen contributed 18 points, including five 3-pointers. The Owls' ability to dominate from beyond the arc (11-3 in 3-pointers) proved crucial. Meanwhile, South Florida's fast-paced, high-possession style was ultimately contained by FAU's defense.
Betting insights also highlighted Mercyhurst as a strong favorite against a struggling Chicago State team, and Southern Illinois as a likely winner against Evansville, banking on SIU's coaching and depth despite injury concerns. Given the AAC's poor home record, betting on away teams might present value.
*Takeaways for Readers*: Keep an eye on teams that can control the game's tempo and those with strong defensive capabilities, especially in conferences where home-court advantage is minimal.
FAQs
Q: What was the result of the Florida Atlantic vs. South Florida game?
Florida Atlantic won 64-63.
Q: Who were the top performers for Florida Atlantic in their game against South Florida?
Jess Moors scored a career-high 21 points, and Grace Carstensen added 18 points.
Q: What is the current state of the Chicago State Cougars basketball program?
The Cougars have been struggling, with only six total wins in the past two seasons.
Key Takeaways
Key takeaways include FAU's strong third-quarter leading to a win, Mercyhurst's expected dominance at home, and Southern Illinois's potential to overcome their losing streak against Evansville. Also, the AAC's poor home record suggests value in betting on away teams. Be sure to check the latest college basketball news page at RotoWire for up-to-the-minute updates on injuries, player performance and the transfer portal, or follow @RotoWireCBB on X (formerly Twitter).
Discussion
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