College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Friday, January 16.
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6:30 PM Eastern
Creighton Blue Jays vs. Providence Friars
Providence has cranked up the tempo, ranking seventh in possessions per game, and it has come at the expense of their defense as they are 251st in points per possession allowed. They have still done a solid job defending inside, ranking 44th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage. Creighton is 82nd in points per possession overall, but that drops to 205th away from home, and defensively they have struggled to create turnovers on the road, ranking 343rd in turnovers generated per possession. Providence is also shooting the ball well at home, making 39.8% of their 3-point attempts, which ranks 39th nationally.
Picks: Providence +1.5 and Over 162.5 (Greg’s Handicap Providence -2 and Total 166)
Toledo Rockets vs. Kent State Golden Flashes
Toledo’s defense continues to be an issue, ranking 277th in points per possession allowed and 302nd in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. That sets up poorly against a Kent State offense that is 24th in home 3-point shooting percentage at 40.8%. Toledo’s shooting numbers are down from past seasons as well, ranking 145th in 3-point shooting percentage at 34.6%, though they are still 89th in points per possession overall and playing at a moderate tempo, ranking 131st in possessions per game.
Picks: Kent State -4.5 and Under 171.5 (Greg’s Handicap Kent State -7.5 and Total 167.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
Baylor Bears vs. Kansas Jayhawks
Baylor ranks 113th in total possessions per game overall, but in conference play that number has dropped by more than six possessions per game. They face a Kansas team that is 13th in the country in points per possession allowed at home and is playing at a controlled pace, ranking 214th in possessions per game. Baylor has leaned into defense recently, allowing 70 points or fewer in six of their past eight games.
Pick: Baylor vs. Kansas Under 155.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 148.5)
8:30 PM Eastern
Marquette Golden Eagles vs. DePaul Blue Demons
Marquette has struggled badly with perimeter shooting on both ends of the floor, ranking 319th in 3-point shooting percentage on offense at 30.1% and 261st in opponent 3-point shooting percentage away from home at 36.3%. They are also 312th in points per possession allowed away from home while still playing at a fast pace, ranking 63rd in possessions per game. DePaul has had their own offensive issues, ranking 212th in points per possession overall, but they have scored at least 76 points in six of their past eight home games.
Picks: DePaul -3.5 and Over 142.5 (Greg’s Handicap DePaul -5.5 and Total 145.5)
Ohio Bobcats vs. Ball State Cardinals
Ohio has struggled from the perimeter, ranking 334th in 3-point shooting percentage at 29.3% and 189th in points per possession overall. Ball State plays very slowly, ranking 326th in possessions per game, and has struggled to score efficiently, ranking 317th in points per possession. Both teams have issues on the glass with Ohio ranking 261st in rebound percentage and Ball State 330th, but Ohio should have an edge inside, ranking 59th in 2-point shooting percentage against a Ball State defense that is 281st in opponent 2-point shooting percentage.
Picks: Ohio -3.5 and Under 145.5 (Greg’s Handicap Ohio -8 and Total 142)
Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Dayton Flyers
Loyola Chicago plays at one of the slowest tempos in the country, ranking 334th in possessions per game, but most of those possessions are clean as the Ramblers rank 351st in turnovers forced per possession on defense. The offense is still just 240th in points per possession, but they have shown improvement lately, scoring at least 68 points in seven of their past 11 games. They should get good looks from the perimeter against a Dayton defense that is 282nd in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 35.8%.
Picks: Loyola Chicago +18.5 and Over 141.5 (Greg’s Handicap Loyola Chicago +14 and Total 146)
10:30 PM Eastern
Colorado State Rams vs. Boise State Broncos
This game should feature a limited number of scoring chances as Colorado State plays at the slowest pace in the country, ranking 364th in possessions per game, while Boise State is elite on the defensive glass, allowing opponents to rebound just 23.3% of their missed shots as an offensive rebound, which ranks 17th nationally. Boise State is at a notable shooting disadvantage on the perimeter, however, as Colorado State ranks fourth in the nation in 3-point shooting percentage at 40.2% while Boise State is just 246th at 32.1%.
Picks: Colorado State +5.5 and Under 141.5 (Greg’s Handicap Colorado State +3.5 and Total 139.5)
