College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Friday, December 12.
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6:00 PM Eastern
Army Black Knights vs. UMBC Retrievers
Army has struggled on offense, ranking 278th in points per possession and 263rd in 3-point shooting percentage at 30.9%. They take 55.4% of their field goal attempts from 3-point range, the highest rate in the nation, but face a UMBC defense allowing just 31% shooting from deep at home. Army is also 318th in offensive rebound percentage, turning only 23.1% of their misses into second-chance opportunities.
Pick: UMBC -6.5 (Greg’s Handicap UMBC -9.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks vs. North Carolina A&T Aggies
Maryland Eastern Shore plays slowly, ranking 342nd in possessions per game, and struggles badly with turnovers, ranking last nationally in turnovers per possession. They face a North Carolina A&T defense that gives up clean perimeter looks, ranking 274th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage, and that rises to 40% at home. Offensively, North Carolina A&T has scored at least 69 points in all but one game and gets No. 2 scorer Lueron Walker back — he has at least 22 points in three of his five appearances this season.
Pick: Over 130.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 137)
Missouri State Bears vs. Xavier Musketeers
Missouri State has been poor defensively, ranking 278th in points per possession allowed and giving up 42% from 3-point range. That may not regress much given they were 317th in opponent 3-point percentage last season. Xavier is 142nd in points per possession on offense but has picked things up, scoring at least 77 points in five straight games.
Pick: Xavier -16.5 and Over 146.5 (Greg’s Handicap Xavier -18.5 and Total 147.5)
South Carolina State Bulldogs vs. Queens NC Royals
South Carolina State is struggling across the board, ranking 345th in points per possession allowed and 357th in defensive rebound percentage, with opponents grabbing 39% of their missed shots. Queens also allows second chances (295th in defensive rebound percentage at 33%), but their offense makes up for it, ranking 58th in points per possession overall and eighth nationally in home games.
Pick: Queens NC -15.5 and Over 156.5 (Greg’s Handicap Queens NC -17.5 and Total 161.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
East Tennessee State Buccaneers vs. Austin Peay Governors
Austin Peay’s defense has been strong, ranking 85th in points per possession allowed overall and 59th at home. East Tennessee State plays at a controlled pace (230th in possessions per game) and rebounds well, ranking 36th in defensive rebound percentage with opponents grabbing just 23.2% of their misses. ETSU struggles with turnovers, ranking 178th in turnovers per possession, while Austin Peay is 58th in turnovers forced per possession.
Pick: Austin Peay +3.5 and Under 143.5 (Greg’s Handicap Austin Peay -1.5 and Total 139.5)
Texas Longhorns vs. Connecticut Huskies
Texas excels at ball security, ranking 41st in fewest turnovers per possession and 26th in points per possession on offense. They face a defensive-minded UConn team that ranks 15th in points per possession allowed and slows games down (295th in possessions per game). Texas is also denying second chances, ranking ninth in defensive rebound percentage, with opponents rebounding only 21.3% of their misses.
Pick: Texas +13.5 and Under 146.5 (Greg’s Handicap Texas +12 and Total 144)
East Texas A&M Lions vs. McNeese Cowboys
McNeese is second nationally in turnovers forced per possession, while East Texas A&M is also strong at generating turnovers (75th). McNeese plays slightly slower (263rd in possessions per game) but is highly efficient, ranking 93rd in points per possession overall and 19th at home. They also grab 34.6% of their misses at home, ranking 53rd in offensive rebound percentage.
Pick: Over 139.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 140.5)
9:00 PM Eastern
Cal Baptist Lancers vs. Eastern Washington Eagles
Cal Baptist dominates the glass, ranking 15th nationally in rebound percentage, while Eastern Washington is 200th. Cal Baptist should see positive regression from their 31.1% 3-point shooting against an Eastern Washington team that was 337th in opponent 3-point percentage last season and is now 360th. Eastern Washington is also struggling to maintain clean possessions, ranking 306th in turnovers per possession and 181st in points per possession.
Pick: Cal Baptist -3.5 and Under 151.5 (Greg’s Handicap Cal Baptist -5.5 and Total 149.5)
