Best bets today for all sports: Friday's picks include Liberty Bowl college football play [1/2/2026]

College Football: Cincinnati ML (+240)

• Edge: 10.6%
• Probability: 40%
• College Football matchup: Liberty Bowl (4:30PM ET, Friday)

Our model has identified value on Cincinnati to defeat Navy at +240 odds. A 40% probability produces an edge of 10.6%, making this the strongest play for today's sports action.

College Football: Cincinnati +7 (-105)

• Edge: 10.4%
• Probability: 61.6%
• Men's College Basketball matchup: Liberty Bowl (4:30PM ET, Friday)

Cincinnati +7 carries a 10.4% edge and a probability of 61.6% at -105 odds, according to our model.

Men's College Basketball: St. Peter's +2.5 (-105)

• Edge: 6.5%
• Probability: 57.7%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: Marist vs. St. Peter's (7:00PM ET, Friday)

St. Peter's +2.5 vs. Marist at -105 odds shows a 6.5% edge, supported by a 57.7% probability in simulations.

NBA: Kings +11.5 (-102)

• Edge: 6.3%
• Probability: 56.8%
• NBA Matchup: Kings vs. Suns (9:00PM ET, Friday)

A 6.3% edge and 56.8% probability make Kings +11.5 vs. Suns at a value play in the Kings vs. Suns matchup, per our model.

Men's College Basketball: Stanford +8.5 (-105)

• Edge: 6.0%
• Probability: 57.3%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: Louisville vs. Stanford (8:00PM ET, Friday)

Stanford +8.5 at -105 odds presents a 6.0% edge, with simulations resulting in a probability of 57.3%.

NBA: Nuggets +12.5 (-105)

• Edge: 5.6%
• Probability: 56.9%
• NBA Matchup: Nuggets vs. Cavaliers (7:30PM ET, Friday)

Our model finds value on Nuggets +12.5 at -105 odds, supported by an edge of 5.6%.

Men's College Basketball: San Francisco -10.5 (-105)

• Edge: 5.2%
• Probability: 56.4%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: San Diego vs. San Francisco (10:00PM ET, Friday)

Our model has uncovered value on San Francisco -10.5 at -105 odds. A 56.4% probability produces a 5.2% edge, making this a strong play for today's men's college basketball action.

Men's College Basketball: Notre Dame vs. California over 140.5 points (-105)

• Edge: 5.1%
• Probability: 56.3%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: Notre Dame vs. California (11:00PM ET, Friday)

A 5.1% edge on a 56.3% probability makes over 140.5 points at -105 odds a solid value play in today's Notre Dame vs. California matchup.

College Basketball: Mount St. Mary's +3.5 (-102)

• Edge: 5.0%
• Probability: 55.5%
• College Basketball Matchup: Mount St. Mary's vs. Merrimack (3:00PM ET, Friday)

Our model projects value on Mount St. Mary's +3.5 at -102 odds. A 55.5% probability produces a 5.0% edge, making Mount St. Mary's the favorable side in Saturday’s college basketball matchup.

Men's College Basketball: Niagara +3.5 (-102)

• Edge: 5.0%
• Probability: 55.5%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: San Diego vs. San Francisco (4:00PM ET, Friday)

Rounding out our top 10 bets, Niagara +3.5 at -102 odds shows a 55.5% probability and a 5.0% edge.

Best sports bets today summary: Friday, 1/2/2026

As of 2:06AM ET, here are our top bets by edge recommended by our model:

Matchup	Bet	Odds	Edge	Probability
Navy vs. Cincinnati (College Football)	Cincinnati ML	+240 @ BetMGM	10.6%	40%
Navy vs. Cincinnati (College Football)	Cincinnati +7	-105 @ BetMGM	10.4%	61.6%
Marist vs. St. Peter's (Men's College Basketball)	St. Peter's +2.5	-105 @ DraftKings	6.5%	57.7%
Kings vs. Suns (NBA)	Kings +11.5	-102 @ DraftKings	6.3%	56.8%
Louisville vs. Stanford (Men's College Basketball)	Stanford +8.5	-105 @ BetMGM	6.0%	57.3%
Nuggets vs. Cavaliers (NBA)	Nuggets +12.5	-105 @ BetMGM	5.6%	56.9%
San Diego vs. San Francisco (Men's College Basketball)	San Francisco -10.5	-105 @ BetMGM	5.2%	56.4%
Notre Dame vs. California (Men's College Basketball)	Over 140.5 Points	-105 @ BetMGM	5.1%	56.3%
Mount St. Mary's vs. Merrimack (College Basketball)	Mount St. Mary's +3.5	-102 @ FanDuel	5.0%	55.5%
Sacred Heart vs. Niagara (Men's College Basketball)	Niagara +3.5	-102 @ BetMGM	5.0%	55.5%

List of upcoming sports to bet on now [1/2/2026]

• NCAAM: New Mexico State vs. Florida International (12:00PM ET, Friday)
• NCAAF: Rice vs. Texas State (1:00PM ET, Friday)
• NHL: Golden Knights vs. Blues (3:00PM ET, Friday)
• NCAAM: Mount St. Mary's vs. Merrimack (3:00PM ET, Friday)
• La Liga: Getafe vs. Rayo Vallecano (3:00PM ET, Friday)
• NCAAM: Fairfield vs. Canisius (4:00PM ET, Friday)
• NCAAM: Sacred Heart vs. Niagara (4:00PM ET, Friday)
• NCAAF: Navy vs. Cincinnati (4:30PM ET, Friday)
• NCAAM: Sam Houston State vs. Western Kentucky (5:00PM ET, Friday)
• NCAAM: Kennesaw State vs. Liberty (7:00PM ET, Friday)

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Conclusion

Our best bets are locked and loaded for January 2, 2026, featuring plays such as Cincinnati ML and Cincinnati +7. Powered by advanced simulations, these picks are here to boost your betting game.

This article, enhanced by AI and automation, aims to deliver accurate insights quickly, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are based on current data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.

All odds and probabilities in this article are correct and accurate at the time of publication.

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