College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Friday, November 7.
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6:00 PM Eastern
Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Rhode Island Rams
One of Rhode Island’s starters from a season ago, David Green, looks to duplicate the 14.2 points and 5.9 rebounds per game on 42.9% 3-point shooting he had last season. Tulsa also returns forward Ian Smikle, who averaged 5.5 rebounds per game as a freshman. Rhode Island has question marks inside, and although the Rams had a lopsided opening-night win over Stetson, they committed 14 turnovers while breaking in a new rotation of guards.
Pick: Tulsa Moneyline (Greg’s Handicap: Tulsa -1.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Troy Trojans vs. Furman Paladins
Furman suffered a blowout 97-71 loss against High Point to begin the season but should fare better in the turnover department after losing that battle 22-6 in that game. They now face a Troy team that should cool down from its 12-of-26 3-point shooting performance on the road in an overtime win at Kent State—especially considering Troy ranked 341st in 3-point shooting percentage and 328th in turnovers per possession on offense last season.
Picks: Furman -2.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Furman -6.5)
Sacred Heart Pioneers vs. Duquesne Dukes
Duquesne plays at a slow and controlled tempo, ranking 310th in possessions per game last season, and held Niagara to 63 points in their season-opening win. They face a Sacred Heart team that ranked 42nd in road 3-point shooting percentage last season at 36.3% but needs to replace three of its top four scorers. However, the Pioneers retain Anquan Hill, who shot 45.1% from 3-point range and averaged 12.8 points per game as a 6-foot-9 forward last season, which could present a matchup issue for the Dukes.
Picks: Sacred Heart +11 and Under 153.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Sacred Heart +8.5 and Total 144.5)
Oakland Grizzlies vs. Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue’s veteran backcourt will make this team one of the most efficient offenses in the country, as this same group ranked 17th in 3-point shooting percentage and 11th in points per possession last season. The Boilermakers looked much improved defensively Tuesday night in their 82-51 win over Evansville. They still play at a slow pace, ranking 314th in total possessions per game. Oakland, meanwhile, brought in a bevy of junior college transfers to revamp a team that ranked 330th in 3-point shooting percentage and 298th in possessions per game last season.
Pick: Under 153.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 146.5)
NC Central Eagles vs. Virginia Cavaliers
While Ryan Odom will run a faster style than Tony Bennett or Ron Sanchez did at Virginia, his VCU team was still defensive-minded and slow last season, ranking 272nd in possessions per game and fifth in points per possession allowed. NC Central’s issue last year was ranking among the bottom 15 nationally in opponent 2-point shooting percentage, though they excelled at generating turnovers, ranking 21st in turnovers forced per possession. That defensive pressure could bother a Virginia team with many new pieces still trying to find chemistry.
Picks: NC Central +34 and Under 153 (Greg’s Handicap: NC Central +23.5 and Total 139.5)
7:30 PM Eastern
UMass Lowell River Hawks vs. Connecticut Huskies
Under coach Dan Hurley, Connecticut has been a slow and defense-oriented team, which showed in their 55-point defensive effort against New Haven to start the season. The Huskies return much of the core from a unit that ranked 321st in total possessions per game. UMass Lowell must replace most of its scoring from a team that ranked 135th in possessions per game last season but has maintained a strong interior defense, ranking among the top 118 teams in opponent 2-point shooting percentage in three of the past four seasons.
Pick: Under 153.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 139)
Wagner Seahawks vs. Seton Hall Pirates
Seton Hall did little in the offseason to improve an offense that ranked 316th in 3-point shooting percentage and 355th in points per possession last season. Wagner was also limited offensively, ranking 357th in points per possession, but was solid defensively at 88th in points per possession allowed. Both teams play very slowly, with Seton Hall ranking 327th and Wagner 362nd in total possessions per game last season.
Picks: Wagner +23.5 and Under 132 (Greg’s Handicap: Wagner +15.5 and Total 119.5)
Bryant Bulldogs vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
There’s reason for concern with Georgia Tech after being pushed to overtime at home by Maryland Eastern Shore in a 56-point overtime win. While Bryant looks different after Phil Martelli Jr. left the program, new coach Jamion Christian brought in size to match up with power-conference teams. Keegan Harvey (6’11”) is a player Christian recruited during his time at George Washington, and 6’8″ Quincy Allen is a former top-200 recruit who’s battled injuries but could cause problems for a Georgia Tech team that lost point guard Naithan George to the transfer portal.
Pick: Bryant +16.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Bryant +8.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
UMKC Kangaroos vs. Southern Illinois Salukis
UMKC has a distinct tendency to slow games down, ranking 322nd in total possessions per game. They face a Southern Illinois team that lost its top four scorers from last season and struggled to generate offense, ranking 197th in points per possession and 260th in turnovers per possession on offense.
Picks: UMKC +13.5 and Under 145.5 (Greg’s Handicap: UMKC +7.5 and Total 137.5)
8:30 PM Eastern
VMI Keydets vs. Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles
VMI is coming off a season in which they ranked 286th in points per possession on offense and 289th in points per possession allowed on defense. Southern Indiana struggled to break in a new backcourt in their 88-58 loss to Butler to open the season, shooting just 29.2% from the field, though that should improve against a VMI defense that has ranked 269th or worse in field goal percentage allowed in each of the past three seasons. VMI played without Rickey Bradley, last season’s top scorer (16.2 PPG), whose status for Friday remains uncertain.
Picks: Southern Indiana Moneyline and Under 153 (Greg’s Handicap: Southern Indiana -5 and Total 149)
Northern Illinois Huskies vs. Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin opened with a 96-64 win over Campbell, but that game was tight for most of the contest as the Badgers led just 67-62 with about 8:30 remaining. While Wisconsin is playing faster than in recent years, they’re still not an uptempo team, ranking 163rd in total possessions per game last season. Northern Illinois, meanwhile, ranked last nationally in offensive rebounding percentage, grabbing just 14.5% of their missed shots, and finished 350th in points per possession.
Pick: Under 157.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 143.5)
10:00 PM Eastern
Illinois Chicago Flames vs. Oregon State Beavers
Oregon State lost its top four scorers from a season ago but maintained a slow, controlled style in a 67-65 win over North Dakota State—a team that ranked fifth in points per possession last year. Illinois Chicago defended the 3-point line well on the road last season, allowing opponents to shoot just 33.2%. They return much of their guard play, but the late tip time and cross-country travel to Corvallis could have a significant impact.
Picks: Oregon State -2.5 and Under 149.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Oregon State -8 and Total 144)
10:30 PM Eastern
Chattanooga Mocs vs. St. Mary’s Gaels
St. Mary’s led the country in rebound percentage last season and continues to play at one of the slowest tempos in the nation, ranking 357th in possessions per game. They face a Chattanooga team that relies heavily on 3-point shooting, ranking in the top 50 nationally in 3-point attempt rate every season under coach Dan Earl. However, Chattanooga must rely on a completely new guard rotation this season, as the top five players in points and assists from last year are gone.
Picks: St. Mary’s -12.5 and Under 144.5 (Greg’s Handicap: St. Mary’s -15.5 and Total 133.5)
