College Basketball Picks Today:

Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Wednesday, March 12.

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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12:30 PM Eastern

Cincinnati vs. Iowa

Cincinnati plays at one of the slowest paces in the country, ranking 317th in possessions per game. Their offense ranks 157th in points per possession, while both teams have been dominant defensively. Iowa State is 11th in points per possession allowed, and Cincinnati entered the Big XII Tournament ranked 35th in the same category. Both teams are also strong at forcing turnovers, ranking in the top 39 in turnovers forced per possession.

Pick: Cincinnati vs. Iowa State Under 136.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 133.5)

1:00 PM Eastern

Arkansas vs. South Carolina

South Carolina has struggled away from home, scoring 13.1 points per 100 possessions fewer and allowing 13.4 points more per 100 possessions than they do at home. Their turnover issues are also glaring, ranking 320th in turnovers per possession. Meanwhile, Arkansas has been a different team since February, with Trevon Brazile and Jonas Aidoo increasing their scoring and rebounding averages after slow starts due to injuries.

Pick: Arkansas -2.5 (Greg’s Handicap Arkansas -5.5)

2:00 PM Eastern

Fordham vs. Rhode Island

Rhode Island ranks 50th in the country in opponent 3-point shooting percentage, holding teams to just 31.4% from beyond the arc. Fordham has struggled offensively, ranking 291st in turnovers per possession and 281st in overall points per possession. Meanwhile, Rhode Island ranks 66th in 3-point shooting percentage away from home at 35.7%.

Pick: Rhode Island -4.5 and Under 156.5 (Greg’s Handicap Rhode Island -7 and Total 153)

6:00 PM Eastern

Iowa vs. Ohio State 

Iowa’s team is powered by efficient offense and 3-point shooting. Their defense ranks 295th in the country in points per possession. They have to face an Ohio State team that is 13th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 30.1%, while their own 3-point shooting percentage dips from 40.3% at home to 33.6% when away from home.

Pick: Ohio State -4.5 (Greg’s Handicap Ohio State -7.5)

6:30 PM Eastern

UTEP vs. Liberty 

Liberty does a good job of mitigating UTEP’s biggest weapon: generating turnovers. UTEP is 19th in turnovers forced per possession, with Liberty ranking 60th in fewest turnovers per possession and 28th in points per possession away from home. Liberty’s backcourt edge is heightened with UTEP dealing with an injury to starting guard and top 3-point shooter Ahmad Bynum, who missed Tuesday’s game. Bynum is averaging 10.3 points per game on 44.4% 3-point shooting, which is even more important as they face a Liberty defense that leads the country in 3-point shooting defense, with teams making only 27.3% of their 3-point shots.

Pick: Liberty -7.5 (Greg’s Handicap Liberty -10.5)

7:00 PM Eastern

Navy vs. American

Navy’s offense has struggled inside the 3-point line, ranking 315th in 2-point shooting percentage. American’s defense limits 3-point attempts, allowing just 28.2% of their points from beyond the arc (the 59th-lowest percentage in the country). American also benefits from playing a true home game, allowing 13.2 points fewer per 100 possessions at home than on the road.

Pick: American -2.5 (Greg’s Handicap American -5.5)

Air Force vs. UNLV

This game is being played on UNLV’s home court, the Thomas & Mack Center. Air Force’s offense has been stagnant all season, ranking 346th in points per possession, while its defense isn’t much better, ranking 337th in points per possession allowed. The Falcons also struggle with opponent 3-point shooting, ranking 326th in that metric. Meanwhile, UNLV is 80th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage, neutralizing Air Force’s only respectable offensive strength—shooting 33.3% from three-point range.

Pick: UNLV -12.5 (Greg’s Handicap UNLV -18.5)

8:30 PM Eastern

South Carolina State vs. Coppin State

Coppin State ranks 363rd out of 364 Division I teams in points per possession on offense. They face a South Carolina State team that excels at creating second chances, ranking 34th in offensive rebound percentage. Defensively, South Carolina State is also strong, ranking 28th in points per possession allowed away from home and 14th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage in road games.

Pick: South Carolina State -14.5 and Under 140.5 (Greg’s Handicap South Carolina St -18.5 and Total 140.5)

9:00 PM Eastern

Utah Tech vs. Utah Valley

Utah Tech must travel from St. George, Utah, to Las Vegas for this play-in round, which takes place away from The Orleans, unlike the rest of the WAC Tournament. Utah Tech entered the tournament ranked 312th in points per possession. Utah Valley has also struggled offensively away from home, ranking 224th in points per possession on the road compared to 61st at home. However, their defense remains one of the best in the country, ranking 31st in points per possession allowed.

Pick: Utah Tech vs. Utah Valley Under 145.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 141.5)

CS Bakersfield vs. UC Santa Barbara

CS Bakersfield’s offense ranks 190th in points per possession overall but averages 14.8 points per 100 possessions fewer on the road than at home. Despite shooting 39.5% from three (the seventh-best mark in the country), their road 2-point shooting percentage ranks 358th. Meanwhile, UC Santa Barbara is 12th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage away from home (29.3%) and ranks 81st in points per possession on offense.

Pick: UC Santa Barbara -4.5 (Greg’s Handicap UC Santa Barbara -7)

Seton Hall vs. Villanova

Both teams play at a slow pace, ranking outside the top 325 in possessions per game. However, their defenses have been inefficient—Seton Hall ranks 205th in points per possession allowed, and Villanova ranks 175th. On offense, Villanova is far superior, ranking 21st in points per possession and shooting 39.8% from three, the second-best percentage in the nation.

Pick: Seton Hall vs. Villanova Over 125.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 131)

11:30 PM Eastern

Grand Canyon vs. UT Arlington

Grand Canyon should capitalize on UT Arlington’s sloppy offense, as Grand Canyon ranks 25th in turnovers forced per possession while UT Arlington ranks 306th in turnovers committed per possession. Additionally, Grand Canyon should dominate the offensive glass, as UT Arlington ranks 304th in defensive rebounding percentage, allowing opponents to grab 30.7% of their missed shots. Defensively, UT Arlington struggles, ranking 232nd in points per possession allowed, while Grand Canyon ranks ninth.

Pick: Grand Canyon -8 (Greg’s Handicap Grand Canyon -12)

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