College Basketball Betting Trends Reveal Sharp Money Moves

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – As the college basketball season heats up, betting trends for Monday, January 27, reveal sharp money movements in key matchups, with DraftKings and Circa Sports data highlighting where professional bettors are placing their wagers.

In the Southland Conference, Lamar (11-9) opened as a 3.5-point home favorite against Northwestern State (9-10). Despite Lamar receiving 74% of spread bets, a staggering 96% of the money is backing the home team, signaling heavy support from sharp bettors. Ken Pomeroy‘s analytics project Lamar to win by five points, citing their superior defensive efficiency (144th vs. 221st) and three-point shooting (36% vs. 32%). Northwestern State, meanwhile, struggles on the road with a 3-7 record.

In another matchup, Alabama State (2.5-point home favorite) is drawing significant attention from professional bettors. While 66% of spread bets are on Alabama State, 97% of the money is backing them, indicating confidence in their home-court advantage. Ken Pomeroy predicts a narrow three-point victory for Alabama State, highlighting their better offensive efficiency (225th vs. 342nd) and ball control (10th in turnover percentage).

The most intriguing line movement comes in the Iowa State vs. Arizona game. Despite Iowa State (17-2, ranked 3rd) receiving 74% of spread bets, the line shifted from Iowa State -1 to Arizona -2.5, a clear sign of sharp money backing the Wildcats. Arizona is also seeing strong moneyline support, with 57% of moneyline dollars at DraftKings and 85% at Circa Sports favoring them. Arizona’s 9-1 home record and recent form make them a compelling buy-low option against a highly ranked opponent.

These trends underscore the importance of monitoring betting splits and line movements, particularly in low-profile games where sharp bettors often find value.