College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Friday, November 28.
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10:30 AM Eastern
Virginia Tech Hokies vs. VCU Rams
Even with forward Toibu Lawal dealing with an injury, Virginia Tech should have the advantage on the boards against a VCU team that entered Thursday 232nd in defensive rebound percentage. The Hokies are one of the best teams in the nation at taking care of the ball, entering Thursday third in turnover rate on offense — something that becomes magnified with jump shooting potentially being a bit off in a 10:30 AM Eastern tip.
Picks: Virginia Tech Moneyline and Under 153.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Virginia Tech -2.5 and Total 150.5)
12:00 PM Eastern
Gardner-Webb Bulldogs vs. Southeastern Louisiana Lions
Gardner-Webb is struggling in every facet, ranking 349th in points per possession on offense and 358th on defense. That should help awaken a Southeast Louisiana offense that is 350th in points per possession but should see positive regression from its current 22.9% 3-point shooting. Gardner-Webb also pushes tempo, ranking 98th in possessions per game.
Picks: Southeastern Louisiana -7.5 and Over 143.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Southeast Louisiana -12 and Total 148)
12:30 PM Eastern
Richmond Spiders vs. Charlotte 49ers
Charlotte has been one of the best offensive rebounding teams in the nation, grabbing 38.4% of their missed shots entering Thanksgiving, which ranks 19th. They face a Richmond team allowing a ton of 3-point attempts — opponents are taking 52.9% of their shots from deep, the fifth-highest rate in the country. Charlotte also slows games down, ranking 361st in possessions per game.
Picks: Charlotte +7.5 and Under 147.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Charlotte +3.5 and Total 141.5)
1:00 PM Eastern
Siena Saints vs. Longwood Lancers
Both Siena and Longwood should see a rise in their 3-point shooting percentages (Siena 25.3%, Longwood 27.2%). The difference is Longwood’s ability to create turnovers, ranking 20th in turnovers forced per possession.
Pick: Longwood +4.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Longwood -1.5)
2:00 PM Eastern
Texas State Bobcats vs. Seattle Redhawks
Both teams are traditionally slower tempo groups, but Seattle has sped up to 99th in possessions per game and is much improved from 3, making 43.3%. Texas State has been strong on the offensive glass, grabbing 33.1% of their missed shots, which ranks 90th.
Pick: Over 135.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 141)
Ball State Cardinals vs. Monmouth Hawks
Ball State is elite at generating turnovers, ranking 10th in turnovers forced per possession. Monmouth, meanwhile, has struggled with ball security (324th in turnover rate) and is shooting poorly inside the arc (332nd in 2-point percentage).
Pick: Ball State +4.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Ball State -2)
Alcorn State Braves vs. Indiana State Sycamores
Alcorn State is getting destroyed inside, ranking 335th in opponent 2-point percentage and 357th in rebound percentage, leading to a 345th ranking in points per possession allowed. Indiana State forces teams inside, with 71.1% of opponent attempts coming inside the arc — the fifth-highest rate nationally.
Pick: Indiana State -8.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Indiana State -13.5)
Oklahoma Sooners vs. Marquette Golden Eagles
Marquette’s biggest strength is creating turnovers (38th in turnovers forced), but they face a veteran Oklahoma backcourt that ranks 17th in fewest turnovers per possession. That’s helped Oklahoma rank 28th in offensive points per possession, while Marquette sits 114th. Oklahoma also plays a mid-tempo style (149th in possessions per game).
Picks: Oklahoma Moneyline and Under 161 (Greg’s Handicap: Oklahoma -3.5 and Total 155.5)
5:00 PM Eastern
Texas A&M Aggies vs. Florida State Seminoles
Both teams in year one under new coaches have sped up and are looking to generate turnovers. Florida State leads the country in turnovers forced per possession, and Texas A&M is 12th. FSU relies heavily on the 3, with 54% of their attempts coming from deep — the fourth-highest rate in the nation — while Texas A&M has allowed opponents to shoot only 26.9% from 3 in games away from home.
Pick: Texas A&M Moneyline (Greg’s Handicap: Texas A&M -4.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. DePaul Blue Demons
Georgia Tech has been excellent defensively, ranking second in points per possession with strong balance — 66th in rebound percentage and 65th in turnover rate on defense. DePaul should make the game sloppy with GT ranking 318th in offensive turnover rate, but the Jackets have compensated by ranking fourth in opponent field goal percentage.
Picks: Georgia Tech Moneyline and Under 146.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Georgia Tech -4.5 and Total 142.5)
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Pittsburgh Panthers
Pittsburgh has taken a step back in guard play, but they’ve used second-chance opportunities well, ranking 54th in offensive rebound rate. Ohio State is 133rd in that area, and their opponents won’t keep shooting just 26.4% from 3 forever. OSU is also dead last (358th) in block rate on defense.
Pick: Pittsburgh +5.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Pittsburgh -1.5)
7:30 PM Eastern
Albany Great Danes vs. Colgate Raiders
Albany holding DI teams to 24.7% from 3 is not sustainable, yet they’re still 2–4 because they are 362nd in turnover rate and 346th in defensive rebound percentage (opponents grabbing 38.5% of misses). Colgate is much cleaner offensively, ranking 86th in turnover rate.
Pick: Colgate -6 (Greg’s Handicap: Colgate -9.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
Jackson State Tigers vs. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Jackson State has played a brutal schedule, but they’ve been blown out by at least 17 in all six games. The injury to Kevion Hunt is clearly hurting them: last in the nation in points per possession allowed and 360th on offense. Louisiana is without Jamyron Keller but still has the rebounding edge against a JSU team ranked 363rd in rebound percentage.
Picks: Louisiana -4.5 and Over 138.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Louisiana -8.5 and Total 144.5)
9:00 PM Eastern
Sam Houston Bearkats vs. Idaho Vandals
Idaho creates little defensive pressure (324th in turnovers forced), which helps a Sam Houston team that is excellent at generating second chances (17th in offensive rebound rate) but poor at preventing them (345th in defensive rebound rate).
Pick: Sam Houston -1.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Sam Houston -5.5)
9:30 PM Eastern
Drake Bulldogs vs. LSU Tigers
Drake is doing the little things right, ranking sixth in defensive foul rate and 49th in turnover rate on offense. LSU leads the country in points per possession but hasn’t left home and hasn’t faced a defense better than 221st nationally. Drake is 103rd in points per possession allowed and 38th in opponent 2-point shooting.
Pick: Drake +12.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Drake +8.5)
