College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Friday, February 20.
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7:00 PM Eastern
UW Milwaukee Panthers vs. Detroit Titans
Detroit’s offense has heated up in Horizon League play, leading the conference in three-point shooting at 40.5% in league games. For the season, the Titans rebound 32.7% of their missed shots as offensive rebounds, ranking 59th nationally. UW Milwaukee is dealing with a lingering injury to starting forward Danilo Jovanovich and ranks 322nd in points per possession allowed. However, the Panthers make the most of their offensive possessions, ranking 69th in turnovers per possession.
Picks: Detroit -2.5 and Over 150.5 (Greg’s Handicap Detroit -4.5 and Total 156.5)
Sacred Heart Pioneers vs. Fairfield Stags
Fairfield does a good job maximizing possessions offensively, with 34.2% of missed shots rebounded as offensive boards, ranking 35th nationally, and ranks 61st in fewest turnovers per possession. Sacred Heart is 256th in turnovers per possession on offense and 302nd in points per possession allowed on defense, while Fairfield is 193rd defensively. Fairfield also allows teams to shoot just 29.8% from three-point range at home, ranking 51st nationally, which is especially impactful against a Sacred Heart team that takes 50.1% of its field goal attempts from three-point range, ranking 15th in the country.
Picks: Fairfield -4.5 and Under 156.5 (Greg’s Handicap Fairfield -7 and Total 153)
UW Green Bay Phoenix vs. Oakland Grizzlies
UW Green Bay will be without coach Doug Gottlieb, who is suspended for this game. Regardless, both defenses have been suspect, with UW Green Bay ranking 339th in points per possession allowed and Oakland 328th. Neither team generates many turnovers, with UW Green Bay 349th in turnovers per possession generated and Oakland 298th. The Green Bay offense has been slow yet efficient, ranking 336th in possessions per game but 75th in points per possession away from home. Oakland ranks 55th in points per possession at home and looks to push tempo, ranking 56th in possessions per game.
Pick: UW Green Bay vs. Oakland Over 155.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 159)
Canisius Golden Griffins vs. Rider Broncos
Both offenses have been incredibly inefficient, with Canisius ranking 348th in points per possession and Rider 355th at home. Rider is not much better defensively, ranking 352nd in points per possession allowed, while Canisius is 258th. The tempo should be extremely slow, as Canisius ranks 349th in possessions per game and Rider 339th.
Picks: Canisius +1.5 and Under 133.5 (Greg’s Handicap Canisius -2 and Total 130)
Marist Red Foxes vs. Manhattan Jaspers
Marist has been dominant defensively, ranking ninth nationally in points per possession allowed. The Red Foxes should get plenty of second chances, as Manhattan allows opponents to rebound 37.4% of missed shots as offensive rebounds in home games, ranking 363rd nationally, and ranks 332nd overall in points per possession allowed. If free throws matter late, Marist ranks fourth in free-throw shooting at 79.3%.
Pick: Marist -4.5 (Greg’s Handicap Marist -7.5)
VCU Rams vs. Saint Louis Billikens
Saint Louis has multiple paths to victory, ranking seventh nationally in points per possession on offense and eighth in points per possession allowed on defense. The Billikens control the perimeter, ranking second in three-point shooting at 41.4% and fifth in opponent three-point shooting at 28.3%. They also dominate inside, ranking 13th in rebound percentage and third in opponent two-point shooting percentage.
Pick: Saint Louis -7.5 (Greg’s Handicap Saint Louis -11.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
Siena Saints vs. Merrimack Warriors
These are two of the slowest teams in the country, with Siena ranking 357th in possessions per game and Merrimack 356th. Scoring opportunities are further reduced by both teams generating turnovers at a high rate, with Merrimack ranking 29th in turnovers per possession and Siena 32nd in that category away from home. Siena ranks 21st in points per possession allowed away from home, while Merrimack is 72nd overall.
Pick: Siena vs. Merrimack Under 132.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 128.5)
8:30 PM Eastern
Bowling Green Falcons vs. Miami OH Redhawks
Miami OH ranks 13th nationally in three-point shooting at 38.3%, though that drops to 36.3% at home. They face a Bowling Green defense allowing just 31% from three-point range away from home, ranking 40th nationally. Bowling Green also creates havoc defensively, ranking 45th in turnovers per possession generated away from home. Miami OH does not generate many second chances, ranking 330th in offensive rebound percentage at 23.4%.
Picks: Bowling Green +8.5 and Under 153.5 (Greg’s Handicap Bowling Green +7 and Total 149)
