Honestly, Thursdays in mid-January usually feel like a placeholder. You're past the New Year's hype, but you're not quite to the madness of February. But if you look at the college basketball games today, specifically this January 15, 2026, there is some weirdly high-stakes stuff happening, especially out West.
The headliner is No. 8 Gonzaga visiting Washington State at Beasley Coliseum. On paper? It looks like a blowout. Gonzaga is 17-1, riding a 10-game winning streak, and basically looks like a buzzsaw again. Washington State is sitting at 8-10. But anyone who actually follows the Palouse knows that Pullman gets loud, and weird things happen in that gym at 10:00 PM ET.
It’s one of those "trap" scenarios where the rankings don't tell the whole story.
The Gonzaga Juggernaut Meets the Pullman Trap
Gonzaga is currently ranked No. 4 in the NET and No. 8 in the AP Poll. They’ve been dominant. We’re talking about a team that has only lost one game all year and has won 12 of 13 games where they were favored. They’re -18.5 favorites tonight.
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That’s a massive spread.
But Washington State isn't just a 8-10 team. They are 3-2 in the WCC and have a history of making life miserable for the Zags when they travel south from Spokane. If WSU can slow the tempo—Gonzaga loves to run—they might keep this within the number. Most people are just going to check the score in the morning, but the real ones know CBS Sports Network is the place to be late tonight.
What Else is on the Slate?
If you aren't into the late-night West Coast vibes, there’s a ton of mid-major action and high-level women’s hoops.
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- Sun Belt Scuffles: The Sun Belt is actually incredibly deep this year. James Madison is at App State (5:30 PM ET), and Old Dominion is visiting Georgia Southern. These games matter for the "one-bid league" chaos we see in March.
- ACC Sleepers: Keep an eye on the NBA draft prospects tonight. Guys like Johann Grunloh at Virginia (who play Saturday, but the talk today is all about his defensive stats) are starting to pop on scout radars.
- The Big South and CAA: College of Charleston is at Towson at 8:00 PM. Charleston has been a bracket-buster recently, and Towson is never an easy place to play.
The Women’s Game is Stealing the Spotlight
If we’re being real, the best college basketball games today might actually be on the women's side. The r/NCAAW boards are melting down over tonight's schedule.
We have No. 4 Texas vs. No. 2 South Carolina at 7:00 PM on ESPN2. This is a rematch, but it's in Columbia this time. Dawn Staley’s squad is a fortress at home. This isn't just a regular-season game; it’s a battle for a No. 1 seed in the tournament.
Then you’ve got No. 9 Louisville at Notre Dame and No. 1 UConn vs. Villanova. The Big East is still UConn's world, but Villanova always plays them tough with that disciplined, slow-burn offense.
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Why the Mid-Major Grind Matters Now
You might think watching UMBC vs. UMass Lowell or NJIT at 6:00 PM is for the degenerates. You’re kinda right. But it’s also where you find the teams that are going to ruin your bracket in two months.
Take a look at the Patriot League. Navy and Colgate are neck-and-neck at the top. These teams play a style of ball that is so fundamentally different from the "one-and-done" factories. It’s a lot of cutting, high-post passing, and 20-second possessions.
What to Watch For Tonight
If you're betting or just watching for fun, pay attention to the home-dog trends. College basketball is unique because the crowd actually matters. A 10:00 PM tip in Pullman for Washington State is a nightmare for a ranked Gonzaga team that might be looking ahead to their next big conference matchup.
- Check the injury reports for Gonzaga: They’ve been healthy, but at this point in the season, legs get heavy.
- Watch the South Carolina vs. Texas spread: If South Carolina is favored by less than 5, that's a statement on how much Vegas respects Texas's interior defense.
- The "Bevo Francis" Watch: It’s also the day they announced the Top 100 watch list for small college basketball. Keep an eye on Marcus Tomashek (Michigan Tech) and Fontaine Williams (West Texas A&M). These guys are putting up 20+ points a night and are the kings of the D-II and D-III levels.
College basketball is about the grind. Tonight isn't a Saturday showcase with 50 games on the dial, but the games we do have are high-leverage for conference standings.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your local listings for CBS Sports Network and ESPN2. If you’re tracking the NET rankings, remember that Gonzaga’s margin of victory tonight will directly impact their standing, even if they win comfortably. For the best experience, sync your second screen to a live-stats feed like StatBroadcast, as TV delays in these mid-major games can be up to 30 seconds behind the actual action.