College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Saturday, March 22.
Check out Greg’s Daily College Basketball Lines and his Coast 2 Coast Hoops Podcast. Also, check out our College Basketball Betting Splits.
12:10 PM Eastern
McNeese vs. Purdue
Purdue entered the NCAA Tournament ranked 350th in the country in opponent 2-point shooting percentage, and the overall balance of McNeese should present issues, as they rank 37th or better in both points scored and points allowed per possession. The McNeese defense will also put Purdue under duress, ranking 16th in turnovers forced per possession. Additionally, Purdue has not been the same offensively in games played away from home, with their 41.7% three-point shooting at home dropping to 35% on the road. They also face a rebounding disadvantage, as Purdue ranks 59th in rebound percentage away from home, while McNeese ranks 33rd. Rebounding will be even more crucial in this matchup, as both teams play at a slow pace—McNeese is 316th in possessions per game, and Purdue is 309th.
Picks: McNeese +6.5 and Under 143.5 (Greg’s Handicap: McNeese +4.5, Total 140.5)
2:00 PM Eastern
Bradley vs. George Mason
Bradley ranks third in the country in three-point shooting percentage at 39.6%, but that will be tested by a George Mason team that ranks 11th in points per possession allowed and 21st in opponent three-point shooting percentage. However, George Mason has significant turnover issues on offense, ranking 332nd in turnovers per possession.
Pick: Bradley +6 (Greg’s Handicap: Bradley +2.5)
2:40 PM Eastern
Arkansas vs. St. John’s
St. John’s is allowing the fewest points per possession in games played away from home of any team in the country, but both teams like to push the pace—Arkansas ranks 74th in possessions per game, while St. John’s ranks 37th. Arkansas’ offense is peaking at the right time, scoring at least 79 points in four of their last five games. Big man Jonas Aidoo has scored at least 14 points in four consecutive games, and Boogie Fland, Arkansas’ second-leading scorer at 15.1 points per game, recently returned after missing 15 games. St. John’s is also improving from beyond the arc, going 21-of-51 from three-point range in the past two games, a significant improvement from their season average of 30.8%.
Pick: Over 144 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 145.5)
6:10 PM Eastern
Drake vs. Texas Tech
Drake plays one of the most challenging styles to prepare for, as they are the slowest team in the nation in possession length. They control the possession battle well, ranking ninth in turnovers forced per possession and 20th in defensive rebounding percentage. A key factor in this matchup is Texas Tech’s injury concern—Chance McMillan, who averages 14.2 points per game on 43.4% three-point shooting, missed the team’s first-round game against UNC Wilmington. Even if he plays, he likely won’t be at full strength.
Pick: Drake +7 (Greg’s Handicap: Drake +4.5)
7:10 PM Eastern
Creighton vs. Auburn
Auburn has been one of the best teams in the country at defending the three-point line, ranking fifth nationally in opponent three-point shooting percentage (29.2%). Meanwhile, Creighton struggles offensively away from home, averaging 13.6 fewer points per 100 possessions than at home and shooting just 31.3% from three-point range on the road compared to 37% at home. Despite Auburn losing three of their last four games entering the NCAA Tournament, their defense remains solid, allowing 70 points or fewer in three straight games. Neither team plays at a particularly fast pace, with Auburn ranking 136th in possessions per game and Creighton 215th.
Pick: Under 151.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 147)
8:40 PM Eastern
Gonzaga vs. Houston
Houston leads the country in fewest points allowed per possession while playing at a slow pace, ranking 356th out of 364 Division I teams in total possessions per game. While Gonzaga is often viewed as an offensive powerhouse, their defense has been quietly effective this season, ranking 16th in points allowed per possession. Offensively, they are still fourth nationally in points per possession, but their three-point shooting drops from 37.8% at home to 32.6% on the road.
Picks: Houston -4.5 and Under 140 (Greg’s Handicap: Houston -6.5, Total 138.5)
9:40 PM Eastern
UCLA vs. Tennessee
Both teams play at a slow pace—UCLA ranks 310th in possessions per game, while Tennessee ranks 314th. Defense is the strength of both squads, with UCLA ranking sixth nationally in turnovers forced per possession and 24th in points allowed per possession. Tennessee is ninth in points allowed per possession and leads the country in opponent three-point shooting percentage (27.3%).
Picks: Tennessee -4.5 and Under 132.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Tennessee -6.5, Total 130.5)
