College Basketball Picks Today:

Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Thursday, January 2.

Check out Greg’s Daily College Basketball Lines and his Coast 2 Coast Hoops Podcast. Also, check out our College Basketball Betting Splits.

 

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7:00 PM Eastern

Delaware vs. Northeastern

Northeastern entered Wednesday ranked 49th in the country in points per possession allowed in road games and is 244th in possessions per game away from home, while Delaware is 168th in turnovers per possession and 248th in points per possession at home.

Pick: Delaware vs. Northeastern Under 153.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 145)

UW Green Bay vs. Wright State

The UW Green Bay defense ranks 349th in points per possession allowed this season and has allowed at least 79 points in 11 of their 14 games against Division I teams. Wright State is 290th in points per possession allowed but ranks 17th in home 3-point shooting percentage at 43.5%, while UW Green Bay is 79th in road 3-point shooting percentage at 35.6%.

Pick: UW Green Bay vs. Wright State Over 155 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 166.5)

Bucknell vs. Lehigh

Bucknell has cranked up their tempo, ranking 29th in the nation in total possessions per game but is 331st in turnovers per possession. This should be mitigated by the fact that Lehigh’s defense generates the fifth-fewest turnovers per possession at home of any team in the country, leading to plenty of clean possessions in this game.

Pick: Bucknell vs. Lehigh Over 145 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 145.5)

Stetson vs. Queens NC

Stetson is 344th in points per possession on offense in road games, while their defense is 348th in points allowed per possession. They face a Queens NC team that is 135th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. Queens’ 61.2% free-throw shooting won’t be overexposed, as Stetson commits the third-fewest fouls per possession in road games in the country.

Pick: Queens -7 (Greg’s Handicap: Queens -11.5)

8:00 PM Eastern

St. Thomas vs. North Dakota State

North Dakota State lives and dies by their 3-point shooting, ranking third in the nation with a 41.5% 3-point shooting percentage, with 48.3% of their points coming from made 3-pointers. No other team in the country has a percentage higher than 45.8%. St. Thomas allows teams to make just 31.9% of their 3-point attempts in road games, which should drive the scoring in this game downward.

Pick: St. Thomas vs. North Dakota State Under 153.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 145.5)

UC Irvine vs. Cal Poly

Cal Poly’s pace is high-octane, leading the country in total possessions per game, but it is an out-of-control pace. The team ranks 358th in turnovers per offensive play, while UC Irvine is 320th in turnovers per possession on the road but is one of the best road defensive teams in the country, ranking third in points per possession allowed on the road.

Pick: UC Irvine vs. Cal Poly Under 158.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 151)

8:30 PM Eastern

Southern Indiana vs. Tennessee Tech

Tennessee Tech ranks 89th in the country in points per possession at home and faces a Southern Indiana unit that surrenders many second-chance opportunities, ranking 307th in the country in defensive rebound percentage. Opponents grab an offensive rebound on 31.8% of their missed shots.

Pick: Tennessee Tech -3.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Tennessee Tech -7.5)

Eastern Kentucky vs. Central Arkansas

Central Arkansas entered Wednesday ranked 295th in the nation in points allowed per possession and 334th in points per possession scored. Eastern Kentucky is 33rd in turnovers forced per possession on defense while ranking 41st in fewest turnovers per possession on offense.

Pick: Eastern Kentucky -3 (Greg’s Handicap: Eastern Kentucky -12)

10:00 PM Eastern

Pepperdine vs. St. Mary’s

The St. Mary’s defense entered Wednesday ranked 237th in points per possession allowed at home but is showing signs of improvement. They have allowed fewer than 68 points in regulation in nine of their past 10 games and have not exceeded 73 points in regulation in eight straight games. St. Mary’s ranks 299th in possessions per game.

Pick: Pepperdine vs. St. Mary’s Under 142.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 136.5)

CS Northridge vs. CS Fullerton

CS Fullerton has yet to find an identity, ranking 288th in points allowed per possession and 323rd in points scored per possession. They do not have a single player averaging more than 1.7 assists per game. Meanwhile, CS Northridge is 17th in road rebound percentage and 46th in turnovers forced per play on defense.

Pick: CS Northridge -4.5 (Greg’s Handicap: CS Northridge -8.5)

Illinois vs. Oregon

Both teams have been solid on defense this season, with Illinois ranked seventh in points allowed per possession and Oregon ranked 27th. Both offenses have been relatively ordinary in outside shooting, as Illinois is 176th in 3-point shooting percentage and Oregon is 136th. Oregon also ranks 129th in possessions per game with their tempo.

Pick: Illinois vs. Oregon Under 156.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 148)

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