College basketball is back at the forefront of the sports landscape. Only a trio of teams ranked in the AP Poll are in action again, but there are enough intriguing matchups across the board to sink your teeth into. Below, I’ve detailed my two favorite college basketball props for January 27 on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Duke -22 (-108)
Jon Scheyer is having one of the most impressive coaching seasons in the country. It’s harder than advertised to navigate a loaded roster, particularly littered with freshmen desperate to make the jump to the next level. Despite popular notions, recruiting stars doesn’t lead to success on the floor.
Saturday was a prime example of this when Duke came out of the gates firing against Wake Forest. The Blue Devils got an early lead, which looked like another decisive blowout. Then, for the first time in months, the offense stagnated. The Demon Deacons went on a monster run, re-ignited the crowd, and took a multi-possession lead.
Scheyer gave the offensive keys to Cooper Flagg, who finished with a loud 24 points and six assists, willing his squad to an impressive seven-point victory. Despite failing to cover, the moxie the young team showed in the face of adversity bodes well for future success.
North Carolina State is below .500 and, despite playing some competitive games, lacks an offense capable of keeping up with Duke. The Blue Devils, at home, should dominate and put this out of reach early.
USC -1 (-105)
After dealing with a grossly overhyped 2023-24 recruiting class, USC has started its rebuild on a positive foot. Eric Musselman has gotten the most out of his group, even picking up a ranked win against Illinois to open Big Ten play. Four Trojan starters average over 10 points a night, with Desmond Claude emerging as one of the best scorers in the conference.
UCLA has struggled to get out of the blocks all season. Its post-game press conferences have garnered more attention than its play on the court. Mick Cronin has struggled to get buy-in from his side all year. That will continue in this LA clash, as USC overcomes its cross-town rival.
