College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Wednesday, March 19.
Check out Greg’s Daily College Basketball Lines and his Coast 2 Coast Hoops Podcast. Also, check out our College Basketball Betting Splits.
7:00 PM Eastern
Samford vs. George Mason
George Mason has struggled with turnovers all season, ranking 334th in turnovers per possession on offense. Meanwhile, Samford’s defense ranks 15th in turnovers forced per possession. Overall, George Mason sits at 196th in points per possession on offense, while Samford’s three-point shooting ranks 38th nationally, hitting 36.5% of their shots from beyond the arc in road games.
Pick: Samford +7.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Samford +3.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
Furman vs. North Texas
North Texas ranks 16th in opponent three-point shooting percentage, holding teams to 30.3%. They face a Furman offense that attempts 52.8% of its shots from three-point range in road games, the third-highest rate in the country. North Texas games average the second-fewest possessions per game of any team in the nation, but they maximize efficiency, ranking 42nd in points per possession on offense and 61st in turnovers forced per possession on defense.
Picks: North Texas -8 and Under 130.5 (Greg’s Handicap: North Texas -10.5, Total 126.5)
9:00 PM Eastern
Northern Iowa vs. SMU
Northern Iowa excels at limiting second-chance opportunities, ranking 34th in defensive rebounding percentage, allowing opponents to grab only 24% of their missed shots. In contrast, SMU allows opponents to rebound 29.3% of their missed shots at home and struggles with three-point defense, ranking 201st by allowing 33.5% shooting from deep. This could be problematic against a Northern Iowa offense that ranks 28th in three-point shooting at 37.2%.
Pick: Northern Iowa +10.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Northern Iowa +7)
9:10 PM Eastern
Xavier vs. Texas
Texas’ offense declines significantly on the road, averaging 14.8 fewer points per 100 possessions than at home. They shoot 38% from three at home but just 33.5% away. Xavier, however, is not a strong offensive rebounding team, ranking 335th in percentage of missed shots converted into offensive rebounds.
Picks: Xavier -2.5 and Under 151.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Xavier -3.5, Total 147.5)
11:00 PM Eastern
Utah Valley vs. San Francisco
San Francisco played the WCC Tournament without starting guard and second-leading scorer Marcus Williams, who is unlikely to be eligible for this game. This could allow Utah Valley to control the pace, as they rank 33rd in defensive rebounding percentage and 24th in points per possession allowed. While San Francisco has held opponents to just 23.1% shooting from three at home—the best in the nation—this figure is likely unsustainable, especially without Williams. Even if it holds, Utah Valley attempts 70.4% of its shots from two-point range on the road, the 14th-highest percentage in the country.
Pick: Utah Valley +7.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Utah Valley +3.5)
Loyola Chicago vs. San Jose State
Loyola Chicago faces a tough travel schedule, crossing multiple time zones for a game that tips at 10:00 PM Central. They have struggled in key areas, ranking 206th in turnovers per possession and a dismal 357th in free throw shooting on the road (63.3%). San Jose State, meanwhile, ranks 30th in opponent three-point shooting percentage at home, limiting teams to just 28.5%. Loyola Chicago allows opponents to shoot 35.5% from three when playing away.
Pick: San Jose State +3.5 (Greg’s Handicap: San Jose State -1)
