Men's college basketball picks today: Thursday's best bets include Marist vs. Canisius play [1/29/2026]

Today’s men's college basketball picks for January 29, 2026 are here, with Marist vs. Canisius and UC Santa Barbara vs. UC San Diego among the top plays identified by our model across Thursday’s men's college basketball play.

Dimers’ predictive analytics engine runs 24/7, searching 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 [1/29, updated 9:35PM ET]

Below, you’ll find today’s top 10 men's college basketball bets, ranked by edge for Thursday, January 29, 2026.

Marist vs. Canisius over 126.5 points (-105)

• Edge: 5.5%
• Probability: 56.7%
• Matchup: Marist vs. Canisius (7:00PM ET, Friday)

Our model has identified value on over 126.5 points in Marist vs. Canisius at -105 odds. A 56.7% probability produces an edge of 5.5%, making this the strongest play for today's men's college basketball slate.

UC San Diego -4.5 (-102)

• Edge: 5.0%
• Probability: 55.5%
• Matchup: UC Santa Barbara vs. UC San Diego (10:00PM ET, Thursday)

UC San Diego -4.5 carries a 5.0% edge and a probability of 55.5% at -102 odds, according to our model.

Fairfield +3.5 (-115)

• Edge: 4.9%
• Probability: 58.4%
• Matchup: Fairfield vs. Iona (7:00PM ET, Friday)

Fairfield +3.5 vs. Iona at -115 odds shows a 4.9% edge, supported by a 58.4% probability in simulations.

UC San Diego ML (-175)

• Edge: 4.8%
• Probability: 68.5%
• Matchup: UC Santa Barbara vs. UC San Diego (10:00PM ET, Thursday)

A 4.8% edge and 68.5% probability make UC San Diego at the moneyline at a value play in the UC Santa Barbara vs. UC San Diego matchup, per our model.

UC Santa Barbara vs. UC San Diego over 145.5 points (-110)

• Edge: 4.4%
• Probability: 56.8%
• Matchup: UC Santa Barbara vs. UC San Diego (10:00PM ET, Thursday)

UC Santa Barbara vs. UC San Diego over 145.5 points at -110 odds presents a 4.4% edge, with simulations resulting in a probability of 56.8%.

Portland State -4.5 (-115)

• Edge: 4.4%
• Probability: 57.9%
• Matchup: Montana vs. Portland State (10:00PM ET, Thursday)

Our model finds value on Portland State -4.5 at -115 odds, supported by an edge of 4.4%.

Columbia -5.5 (-104)

• Edge: 4.2%
• Probability: 55.2%
• Matchup: Pennsylvania vs. Columbia (7:00PM ET, Friday)

Our model has uncovered value on Columbia -5.5 at -104 odds. A 55.2% probability produces a 4.2% edge, making this a strong play for today's men's college basketball action.

Columbia ML (-210)

• Edge: 4.1%
• Probability: 71.8%
• Matchup: Pennsylvania vs. Columbia (7:00PM ET, Friday)

A 4.1% edge on a 71.8% probability makes Columbia to win at -210 odds a solid value play in today's Pennsylvania vs. Columbia matchup.

Detroit Mercy +5.5 (-105)

• Edge: 4.0%
• Probability: 55.2%
• Matchup: Northern Kentucky vs. Detroit Mercy (7:00PM ET, Friday)

Our model projects value on Detroit Mercy +5.5 at -105 odds. A 55.2% probability produces a 4.0% edge, making Detroit Mercy the favorable side in Saturday’s matchup.

Portland State ML (-218)

• Edge: 3.7%
• Probability: 72.3%
• Matchup: Pennsylvania vs. Columbia (10:00PM ET, Thursday)

Rounding out our top 10 bets, Portland State to defeat Montana at -218 odds shows a 72.3% probability and a 3.7% edge.

NCAAM best bets summary: Thursday, 1/29/2026

As of 9:35PM ET, here are our top men's college basketball bets by edge recommended by our model:

Matchup	Bet	Odds	Edge	Probability
Marist vs. Canisius	Over 126.5 Points	-105 @ DraftKings	5.5%	56.7%
UC Santa Barbara vs. UC San Diego	UC San Diego -4.5	-102 @ BetMGM	5.0%	55.5%
Fairfield vs. Iona	Fairfield +3.5	-115 @ BetMGM	4.9%	58.4%
UC Santa Barbara vs. UC San Diego	UC San Diego ML	-175 @ BetMGM	4.8%	68.5%
UC Santa Barbara vs. UC San Diego	Over 145.5 Points	-110 @ BetMGM	4.4%	56.8%
Montana vs. Portland State	Portland State -4.5	-115 @ DraftKings	4.4%	57.9%
Pennsylvania vs. Columbia	Columbia -5.5	-104 @ FanDuel	4.2%	55.2%
Pennsylvania vs. Columbia	Columbia ML	-210 @ BetMGM	4.1%	71.8%
Northern Kentucky vs. Detroit Mercy	Detroit Mercy +5.5	-105 @ BetMGM	4.0%	55.2%
Montana vs. Portland State	Portland State ML	-218 @ DraftKings	3.7%	72.3%

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

• Montana State vs. Sacramento State (10:00PM ET, Thursday)
• UC Davis vs. Cal State Northridge (10:00PM ET, Thursday)
• UC Santa Barbara vs. UC San Diego (10:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Long Beach State vs. UC Riverside (10:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Montana vs. Portland State (10:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Hawaii vs. UC Irvine (11:00PM ET, Thursday)
• Princeton vs. Cornell (6:00PM ET, Friday)
• Kent State vs. Akron (6:00PM ET, Friday)
• Siena vs. Niagara (6:30PM ET, Friday)
• Dartmouth vs. Yale (7:00PM ET, Friday)

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Conclusion

Our men's college basketball best bets are locked and loaded for January 29, 2026, featuring plays such as over 126.5 points in the Marist vs. Canisius matchup and UC San Diego -4.5. 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 rooted 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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