College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Friday, March 13.
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Note: More matchups and lines will come tonight and Greg may have additional plays.
11:30 AM Eastern
George Washington Revolutionaries vs. Saint Louis Billikens
George Washington has traveled well offensively, ranking 16th in the country in points per possession away from home. Saint Louis has been one of the most balanced teams in the nation this season, ranking ninth in points per possession on offense and 18th in points per possession allowed on defense. However, recent turnover issues have slowed their offense, as they rank 224th in turnovers per possession. Over their past three games, they have played at a pace 8.8 possessions per game slower than in their first 28 games of the season, with top scorer Robbie Avila dealing with plantar fasciitis.
Picks: George Washington +6.5 and Under 162.5 (Greg’s Handicap George Washington +4.5 and Total 158.5)
12:00 PM Eastern
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines
Ohio State has done many of the little things well this season, ranking 19th in two-point shooting percentage and 41st in opponent three-point shooting percentage at 31.2%. They also have an edge in ball security, ranking 96th in turnovers per possession on offense while Michigan ranks 186th. Michigan has still been one of the most efficient offenses in the nation overall, ranking seventh in points per possession, while Ohio State ranks 29th.
Pick: Ohio State +13.5 (Greg’s Handicap Ohio State +11)
1:00 PM Eastern
Kentucky Wildcats vs. Florida Gators
While Kentucky’s defense has had its issues, ranking 117th in points per possession allowed, Florida’s offense has its own struggles, particularly from three-point range as the team ranks 314th in three-point shooting percentage at 31.3%. Kentucky has also done a better job protecting the ball, ranking 73rd in turnovers per possession while Florida ranks 144th.
Picks: Kentucky +11.5 and Under 159.5 (Greg’s Handicap Kentucky +9 and Total 157)
2:00 PM Eastern
St. Bonaventure Bonnies vs. Dayton Flyers
While St. Bonaventure ranks just 256th in points per possession allowed on defense overall, that improves to 167th away from home. Dayton aggressively hunts turnovers, ranking seventh in turnovers per possession generated on defense in road and neutral court games. However, they allow opponents to shoot 37.1% from three-point range away from home, which ranks 311th in the nation. St. Bonaventure ranks 12th in three-point shooting away from home at 38.9%.
Pick: St. Bonaventure +7 (Greg’s Handicap St. Bonaventure +3.5)
5:00 PM Eastern
VCU Rams vs. Duquesne Dukes
VCU has been a strong three-point shooting team, ranking 47th in three-point shooting percentage at 36.4%, and they take better care of the ball, ranking 97th in turnovers per possession while Duquesne ranks 271st. However, Duquesne has been stronger inside, ranking 62nd in two-point shooting percentage while VCU ranks 88th. Duquesne ranks 261st in opponent three-point shooting percentage at 35.1%, though that improves to 113th away from home at 33.2%.
Picks: Duquesne +9.5 and Under 153.5 (Greg’s Handicap Duquesne +6.5 and Total 150.5)
Massachusetts Minutemen vs. Toledo Rockets
Both teams have shot well from three-point range this season, with Massachusetts ranking 57th in three-point shooting percentage at 36.1% while Toledo ranks 37th at 36.6%. Toledo ranks 58th in points per possession on offense but just 277th in points per possession allowed. Neither team defends the interior particularly well, with Toledo ranking 325th in opponent two-point shooting percentage and Massachusetts 302nd. Massachusetts also plays at a very fast pace, ranking 22nd in possessions per game.
Pick: Massachusetts vs. Toledo Over 158.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 162.5)
5:30 PM Eastern
Seton Hall Pirates vs. St. John’s Red Storm
Both teams are strongest defensively, with St. John’s ranking 17th in points per possession allowed and Seton Hall 15th. However, this game should still feature plenty of scoring chances due to St. John’s pace, as they rank 40th in possessions per game. Both teams also generate second chances, with Seton Hall rebounding 33.8% of their misses as offensive rebounds (36th nationally) while St. John’s ranks 43rd in offensive rebound percentage. Seton Hall also allows the 44th-most free throw attempts per field goal attempt in the nation.
Picks: St. John’s -7.5 and Over 132 (Greg’s Handicap St. John’s -9.5 and Total 135.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Arizona Wildcats vs. Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State entered Thursday ranked third in the nation in points per possession allowed on defense and 19th in points per possession on offense. However, they face an Arizona team with a significant edge on the glass, as the Wildcats rank fifth in rebound percentage while Iowa State ranks 29th. Arizona also ranks second in opponent two-point shooting percentage, and if the game is close, Iowa State could be at a disadvantage at the free throw line as they rank 332nd in free throw shooting percentage at 67.7%.
Pick: Arizona -3.5 (Greg’s Handicap Arizona -6.5).5)
Additions after initial post went live:
3:30 PM Eastern
North Texas Mean Green vs. Tulsa Hurricane
North Texas is 11th in the country in points per possession allowed in away games. They face a Tulsa team that is fourth in 3-point shooting percentage at 39.7%. The North Texas defense is 19th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage away from home at 29.8%. They are third in turnovers per possession generated away from home, but just 328th in points per possession away from home. Neither team is playing at a fast pace, with North Texas 274th in possessions per game while Tulsa is 178th.
Picks: North Texas +7.5 and Under 143.5 (Greg’s Handicap North Texas +5 and Total 138)
8:00 PM Eastern
Georgetown Hoyas vs. Connecticut Huskies
Neither team is pushing a fast pace. Georgetown is 234th in possessions per game, while Connecticut is 282nd. Georgetown is shooting just 32.3% from 3-point range, ranking 265th. Connecticut is 248th in turnover per possession on offense. Georgetown is 152nd in points per possession on offense.
Pick: Georgetown vs. Connecticut Under 140.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 136.5)
9:00 PM Eastern
CS Northridge Matadors vs. UC Irvine Anteaters
This game figures to have tons of possessions. CS Northridge is second in the nation in total possession per game. They face a UC Irvine defense that has the best opponent 2-point shooting percentage in the nation and allows the fewest points per possession on the road. Both teams have their warts on offense. CS Northridge is 232nd in points per possession and UC Irvine is 282nd. Both teams have turnover issues, with UC Irvine 253rd in turnovers per possession on offense and CS Northridge 246th.
Pick: CS Northridge vs. UC Irvine Under 149.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 145)
UCLA Bruins vs. Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State does not allow opponents second chances to score. They lead the country in defensive rebound percentage in road games, as opponents reel in only 19.1% of their missed shots as an offensive rebound. Michigan State is 36th in points per possession allowed. Neither team is playing at a fast pace. Michigan State is 273rd in possessions per game, while UCLA is 297th in possessions per game. UCLA is 48th in points per possession on offense, but scoring 12 points fewer per 100 possessions away from home than at home.
Pick: UCLA vs. Michigan State Under 142.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 136.5)
9:30 PM Eastern
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Oklahoma Sooners
The Arkansas defense is not great, as they rank 173rd in points per possession allowed. However, they guard the 3-point line well, as teams are making only 31.5% of their 3-point shots against them, ranking 49th. On offense, Arkansas is fourth in points per possession. Even though top scorer Darius Acuff is expected to play in this game, he may not be 100 percent after missing the team’s most recent game against Missouri. Oklahoma will look to make this a more mid-tempo game as they are 169th in total possessions per game and are an efficient offense, ranking 19th in points per possession.
Picks: Oklahoma +6.5 and Under 168.5 (Greg’s Handicap Oklahoma +5.5 and Total 163.5)
11:30 PM Eastern
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs. CS Fullerton Titans
Hawaii has been one of the most dominant defenses in the nation, ranking 10th in points per possession allowed. CS Fullerton is 193rd, though CS Fullerton is 38th in turnovers per possession forced on defense. They are at a big disadvantage on the boards as they are 287th in rebound percentage, while Hawaii is 26th. Hawaii is 55th in 2-point shooting percentage, while CS Fullerton is 185th.
Pick: Hawaii -3.5 (Greg’s Handicap Hawaii -6.5)
