Men's college basketball picks today: New Year's Day best bets include UC Santa Barbara vs. Cal State Fullerton play [1/1/2026]

Today’s men's college basketball picks for New Year's Day are here, with UC Santa Barbara vs. Cal State Fullerton among the top plays identified by our model across Thursday’s men's college basketball play.

Dimers’ predictive analytics engine runs 24/7, scanning the latest men's college basketball odds to uncover legitimate betting edges. The result? Data-backed picks that help Dimers Pro members make smarter decisions.

List of NCAAM picks tonight [1/1, updated 9:34PM ET]

Below, you’ll find today’s top 10 men's college basketball bets, ranked by edge for Thursday, January 1, 2026.

Cal State Fullerton +3.5 (-108)

• Edge: 9.2%
• Probability: 61.1%
• Matchup: UC Santa Barbara vs. Cal State Fullerton (10:00PM ET, Thursday)

Our model has identified value on Cal State Fullerton +3.5 at -108 odds. A 61.1% probability produces an edge of 9.2%, making this the strongest play for today's men's college basketball slate.

Cal State Fullerton ML (+154)

• Edge: 4.6%
• Probability: 46.5%
• Matchup: UC Santa Barbara vs. Cal State Fullerton (10:00PM ET, Thursday)

Cal State Fullerton ML carries a 4.6% edge and a probability of 46.5% at +154 odds, according to our model.

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

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

A 5.0% edge and 55.5% probability make Mount St. Mary's +3.5 vs. Merrimack at a value play in the Mount St. Mary's vs. Merrimack matchup, per our model.

Loyola Marymount vs. Washington State over 141.5 points (-105)

• Edge: 5.0%
• Probability: 56.2%
• Matchup: Loyola Marymount vs. Washington State (9:30PM ET, Friday)

Loyola Marymount vs. Washington State over 141.5 points at -105 odds presents a 5.0% edge, with simulations resulting in a probability of 56.2%.

St. Peter's +3.5 (-115)

• Edge: 4.9%
• Probability: 58.4%
• Matchup: Marist vs. St. Peter's (7:00PM ET, Friday)

Our model finds value on St. Peter's +3.5 at -115 odds, supported by an edge of 4.9%.

Cal State Fullerton ML (+154)

• Edge: 4.6%
• Probability: 46.5%
• Matchup: UC Santa Barbara vs. Cal State Fullerton (10:00PM ET, Thursday)

Our model has uncovered value on Cal State Fullerton ML at +154 odds. A 46.5% probability produces a 4.6% edge, making this a strong play for today's men's college basketball action.

Jacksonville State ML (-130)

• Edge: 4.5%
• Probability: 63.5%
• Matchup: Jacksonville State vs. Delaware (7:00PM ET, Friday)

A 4.5% edge on a 63.5% probability makes Jacksonville State to win at -130 odds a solid value play in today's Jacksonville State vs. Delaware matchup.

Stanford ML (+340)

• Edge: 4.4%
• Probability: 27.1%
• Matchup: Louisville vs. Stanford (8:00PM ET, Friday)

Our model projects value on Stanford to win at +340 odds. A 27.1% probability produces a 4.4% edge, making Stanford the favorable ML play in Saturday’s matchup.

Western Kentucky -4.5 (-105)

• Edge: 4.3%
• Probability: 55.5%
• Matchup: UC Santa Barbara vs. Cal State Fullerton (5:00PM ET, Friday)

Rounding out our top 10 bets, Western Kentucky -4.5 at -105 odds shows a 55.5% probability and a 4.3% edge.

NCAAM best bets summary: Thursday, 1/1/2026

As of 9:34PM ET, here are our top men's college basketball bets by edge recommended by our model:

Matchup	Bet	Odds	Edge	Probability
UC Santa Barbara vs. Cal State Fullerton	Cal State Fullerton +3.5	-108 @ DraftKings	9.2%	61.1%
UC Santa Barbara vs. Cal State Fullerton	Cal State Fullerton ML	+154 @ DraftKings	4.6%	46.5%
Mount St. Mary's vs. Merrimack	Mount St. Mary's +3.5	-102 @ FanDuel	5.0%	55.5%
Loyola Marymount vs. Washington State	Over 141.5 Points	-105 @ BetMGM	5.0%	56.2%
Marist vs. St. Peter's	St. Peter's +3.5	-115 @ DraftKings	4.9%	58.4%
UC Santa Barbara vs. Cal State Fullerton	Cal State Fullerton ML	+154 @ DraftKings	4.6%	46.5%
Jacksonville State vs. Delaware	Jacksonville State ML	-130 @ DraftKings	4.5%	63.5%
Louisville vs. Stanford	Stanford ML	+340 @ FanDuel	4.4%	27.1%
Sam Houston State vs. Western Kentucky	Western Kentucky -4.5	-105 @ BetMGM	4.3%	55.5%

List of upcoming men's college basketball games to bet on now

• UC San Diego vs. Cal Poly (10:00PM ET, Thursday)
• UC Santa Barbara vs. Cal State Fullerton (10:00PM ET, Thursday)
• New Mexico State vs. Florida International (12:00PM ET, Friday)
• Mount St. Mary's vs. Merrimack (3:00PM ET, Friday)
• Fairfield vs. Canisius (4:00PM ET, Friday)
• Sacred Heart vs. Niagara (4:00PM ET, Friday)
• Sam Houston State vs. Western Kentucky (5:00PM ET, Friday)
• Kennesaw State vs. Liberty (7:00PM ET, Friday)
• Wagner vs. Chicago State (7:00PM ET, Friday)
• Robert Morris vs. Detroit Mercy (7:00PM ET, Friday)

What Is Dimebot?

Dimebot is Dimers’ AI bet assistant, designed to surface swift insights, answer betting questions, and help you explore data more efficiently.

Conclusion

Our men's college basketball best bets are locked and loaded for January 1, 2026, featuring plays such as Cal State Fullerton +3.5 and Cal State Fullerton ML. Powered by advanced simulations, these picks are here to boost your betting game.

This article, enhanced by AI and automation, aims to deliver accurate college basketball 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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