3 College Basketball Player Props for Wednesday, January 8: Diarra and UConn Take on 'Nova

Happy Hump Day, sports bettors! Beat back the midweek blues by checking out our top college basketball player props for Wednesday, January 8.

Dan Hurley’s Connecticut Huskies look to extend their win streak to nine games, while the Indiana Hoosiers should put on a great offensive performance against the Trojans at home in Big 10 play.

G Hassan Diarra (CONN) OVER 10.5 Points

With star freshman Liam McNeeley out for a handful of weeks for Dan Hurley’s UConn Huskies, veteran guard Hassan Diarra is due to step into a massive role for the back-to-back champs as they try to pick up their fifth straight win in conference play.

Diarra has played in 30 or more minutes in five of his last six outings while providing some elite playmaking and scoring for his side. Hassan scored 19 points on Sunday against Providence while getting to the free throw line 11 times.

With a more aggressive mindset in conference play, Diarra should be able to hit the double digit point mark for the fourth time in the last five outings.

F Mackenzie Mgbako (USC) OVER 21.5 PRA

Indiana has found something in their frontcourt duo in Mgbako and Oumar Ballo. The Hoosiers look to extend their win streak to five games tonight against the Trojans at home in what would give them a 4-1 record in the Big 10 thus far.

Mgbako is starting to heat up from beyond the arc, hitting 10 of 24 3s over his last four games, while hitting the 22 PRA mark in each of his last two games.

Against a USC team that is coming off a tough loss against Michigan where they allowed 85 points at home, I believe this Indiana team - led by Mgbako, will run all over the Trojans.

F Puff Johnson (PSU) OVER 13.5 PR

Penn State veteran Puff Johnson looks to lead the Nittany Lions to their 3rd win in Big 10 play tonight against Illinois. Although State are underdogs by 10.5 points, this is a tough team that averages nearly 87 points per game this season.

Johnson has played 21 and 24 minutes in the last two Big 10 matchups, while scoring 11 or more points in four of his last five games.

A potentially hot shooter from downtown, he will be able to face a smaller Illinois backcourt and could take advantage of the Illini’s bench unit to score the basketball.