Best bets today for all sports: Friday's picks include Notre Dame vs. California men's college basketball play [1/2/2026]

Today’s best sports bets for January 2, 2026 are here, with Notre Dame vs. California highlighted by our model across Friday’s action.

Dimers’ predictive analytics engine runs 24/7, searching the latest odds to find real betting edges. The result? Data-backed picks that help Dimers Pro members make smarter decisions.

List of best bets for today [1/2, updated 10:34PM ET]

Below, you’ll find today’s top 10 bets, ranked by edge for Friday, January 2, 2026.

Men's College Basketball: Notre Dame +3.5 (-105)

• Edge: 4.6%
• Probability: 55.8%
• Men's College Basketball matchup: Notre Dame vs. California (11:00PM ET, Friday)

Our model has identified value on Notre Dame +3.5 at -105 odds. A 55.8% probability produces an edge of 4.6%, making this the strongest play for today's sports action.

Men's College Basketball: Notre Dame vs. California over 138.5 points (-110)

• Edge: 2.0%
• Probability: 54.4%
• atchup: Notre Dame vs. California (11:00PM ET, Friday)

Notre Dame vs. California over 138.5 points carries a 2.0% edge and a probability of 54.4% at -110 odds, according to our model.

Men's College Basketball: Loyola Chicago +8.5 (-108)

• Edge: 7.9%
• Probability: 59.8%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: Dayton vs. Loyola Chicago (2:00PM ET, Saturday)

A 7.9% edge and 59.8% probability make Loyola Chicago +8.5 vs. Dayton at a value play in the Dayton vs. Loyola Chicago matchup, per our model.

Men's College Basketball: Kansas State ML (+280)

• Edge: 7.8%
• Probability: 34.2%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: BYU vs. Kansas State (1:30PM ET, Saturday)

Kansas State ML at +280 odds presents a 7.8% edge, with simulations resulting in a probability of 34.2%.

Men's College Basketball: Kansas State +7.5 (-110)

• Edge: 7.6%
• Probability: 60%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: BYU vs. Kansas State (1:30PM ET, Saturday)

Our model finds value on Kansas State +7.5 at -110 odds, supported by an edge of 7.6%.

Men's College Basketball: Cal State Fullerton ML (+170)

• Edge: 7.1%
• Probability: 44.1%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: UC Irvine vs. Cal State Fullerton (7:00PM ET, Saturday)

Our model has uncovered value on Cal State Fullerton ML at +170 odds. A 44.1% probability produces a 7.1% edge, making this a strong play for today's men's college basketball action.

NFL: 49ers +2.5 (-105)

• Edge: 7.0%
• Probability: 58.2%
• NFL Matchup: Seahawks vs. 49ers (8:00PM ET, Saturday)

A 7.0% edge on a 58.2% probability makes 49ers +2.5 at -105 odds a solid value play in today's Seahawks vs. 49ers matchup.

NBA: Celtics ML (-104)

• Edge: 6.9%
• Probability: 57.9%
• NBA Matchup: Celtics vs. Clippers (10:30PM ET, Saturday)

Our model projects value on Celtics to win at -104 odds. A 57.9% probability produces a 6.9% edge, making Celtics the favorable ML play in Saturday’s NBA matchup.

Men's College Basketball: Loyola Chicago ML (+360)

• Edge: 6.6%
• Probability: 28.1%
• Men's College Basketball Matchup: UC Irvine vs. Cal State Fullerton (2:00PM ET, Saturday)

Rounding out our top 10 bets, Loyola Chicago to defeat Dayton at +360 odds shows a 28.1% probability and a 6.6% edge.

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

As of 10:34PM ET, here are our top bets by edge recommended by our model:

Matchup	Bet	Odds	Edge	Probability
Notre Dame vs. California (Men's College Basketball)	Notre Dame +3.5	-105 @ BetMGM	4.6%	55.8%
Notre Dame vs. California (Men's College Basketball)	Over 138.5 Points	-110 @ FanDuel	2.0%	54.4%
Dayton vs. Loyola Chicago (Men's College Basketball)	Loyola Chicago +8.5	-108 @ DraftKings	7.9%	59.8%
BYU vs. Kansas State (Men's College Basketball)	Kansas State ML	+280 @ FanDuel	7.8%	34.2%
BYU vs. Kansas State (Men's College Basketball)	Kansas State +7.5	-110 @ BetMGM	7.6%	60%
UC Irvine vs. Cal State Fullerton (Men's College Basketball)	Cal State Fullerton ML	+170 @ BetMGM	7.1%	44.1%
Seahawks vs. 49ers (NFL)	49ers +2.5	-105 @ DraftKings	7.0%	58.2%
Celtics vs. Clippers (NBA)	Celtics ML	-104 @ FanDuel	6.9%	57.9%
Dayton vs. Loyola Chicago (Men's College Basketball)	Loyola Chicago ML	+360 @ FanDuel	6.6%	28.1%

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

• NCAAM: Notre Dame vs. California (11:00PM ET, Friday)
• EPL: Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa (7:30AM ET, Saturday)
• La Liga: Valencia vs. Celta Vigo (8:00AM ET, Saturday)
• EPL: Burnley vs. Brighton (10:00AM ET, Saturday)
• EPL: West Ham vs. Wolves (10:00AM ET, Saturday)
• La Liga: Athletic Bilbao vs. Osasuna (10:15AM ET, Saturday)
• NCAAM: Virginia vs. North Carolina State (11:00AM ET, Saturday)
• NHL: Penguins vs. Red Wings (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
• NCAAM: Kentucky vs. Alabama (12:00PM ET, Saturday)
• NCAAM: Clemson vs. Pittsburgh (12:00PM ET, Saturday)

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Conclusion

Our best bets are locked and loaded for January 2, 2026, featuring plays such as Notre Dame +3.5 and over 138.5 points also in the Notre Dame vs. California matchup. 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 grounded in 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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