College Basketball Picks Today:

Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Thursday, March 6.

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

Fairfield vs. Siena

Fairfield ranks 299th in the country in points per possession on offense while playing at one of the slowest paces in the country, ranking 305th in possessions per game. Siena ranks 204th in the nation in turnovers per possession on offense but is one of the best shot-blocking teams in the country, with three different players averaging at least 1.2 blocks per game. They rank 22nd in the country in blocked shot percentage.

Pick: Fairfield vs. Siena Under 141.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 138.5)

Canisius vs. Rider

The Rider offense has been one of the least efficient in the country, ranking 328th in points per possession at home. Though Canisius is the worst team in the country in the percentage of missed shots that result in an offensive rebound, their overall shooting is surprisingly good. They shoot 37.2% from three-point range, ranking 35th in the nation, while Rider allows opponents to shoot 35.8% from three, ranking 300th in the country.

Pick: Canisius +7.5 and Over 142.5 (Greg’s Handicap Canisius +4.5 and Total 146.5)

Navy vs. Boston U

Boston U has massive turnover issues, ranking 339th in turnovers committed per possession on offense, while also shooting just 66.1% at the free throw line (344th in the country). This does not pair well with a defense that ranks 318th in opponent three-point shooting percentage at home (37.1%).

Pick: Navy +2 (Greg’s Handicap Navy -2.5)

Loyola MD vs. Bucknell

Bucknell is pushing the tempo this season, ranking 86th in total possessions per game, and should take advantage of a Loyola MD defense that ranks 249th or worse in both opponent two-point and three-point shooting percentage. Loyola MD’s three-point shooting improves from 29.8% at home to 34.7% overall.

Pick: Loyola MD vs. Bucknell Over 138 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 143.5)

Fort Wayne vs. Youngstown State

Fort Wayne should win the possession battle, ranking ninth in the country in fewest turnovers committed per possession on offense while also ranking 41st in turnovers forced per possession. They also rank 13th in the country in road three-point shooting percentage (38.9%), facing a Youngstown State unit that ranks only 211th in points per possession on offense.

Pick: Fort Wayne +2.5 (Greg’s Handicap Fort Wayne -3.5)

7:30 PM Eastern

NC Central vs. South Carolina State

NC Central is one of the best teams in the country at generating turnovers, ranking sixth in the nation in turnovers forced per possession away from home. South Carolina State has yet to find a true point guard, with nobody averaging more than 2.4 assists per game, and they rank 324th in turnovers committed per possession. Meanwhile, NC Central ranks 37th in the percentage of missed shots that result in an offensive rebound.

Pick: NC Central +10.5 (Greg’s Handicap NC Central +6.5)

8:00 PM Eastern

Oakland vs. UW Milwaukee

Oakland is one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the country, ranking 335th in the nation. Their strength lies on the glass, ranking 49th in offensive rebound percentage. However, UW Milwaukee is even stronger in this area, ranking fourth in the country in overall rebound percentage and second in offensive rebound percentage, converting 39.7% of their missed shots into offensive rebounds.

Pick: UW Milwaukee -4.5 (Greg’s Handicap UW Milwaukee -8.5)

Northern Kentucky vs. Cleveland State

Northern Kentucky’s offense struggles on a normal night, ranking 222nd in points per possession. Cleveland State is 10th in the country in turnovers forced per possession on defense and should exploit a Northern Kentucky defense that ranks 344th in opponent three-point shooting percentage (37.3%).

Pick: Cleveland State (Greg’s Handicap Cleveland State -9)

Wichita State vs. Rice

Wichita State ranks 341st in the country in three-point shooting (29.9%) and struggles on defense, ranking 240th in road three-point shooting defense, allowing teams to shoot 35.7% from deep. They face a Rice team that ranks 58th in home offensive rebound percentage, securing an offensive rebound on 34% of their missed shots.

Pick: Rice +1 (Greg’s Handicap Rice -3.5)

Michigan State vs. Iowa

Iowa continues to have one of the worst defenses among power conference teams, ranking 287th in the country in points per possession allowed. However, they play at a fast pace, ranking 48th in total possessions per game and 18th in the country in points per possession in home games.

Pick: Michigan State vs. Iowa Over 151.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 156)

9:30 PM Eastern

CS Bakersfield vs. Hawaii

Hawaii is one of the slower-tempo teams in the country, ranking 256th in total possessions per game and 250th in points per possession on offense. CS Bakersfield ranks 207th in points per possession on offense and is unlikely to receive many second-chance scoring opportunities. Hawaii allows opponents to rebound just 21.1% of their missed shots as an offensive rebound in road games, which ranks third in the nation.

Pick: CS Bakersfield vs. Hawaii Under 141.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 137.5)

Denver vs. St. Thomas

St. Thomas ranks 15th in the country in points per possession and 16th in three-point shooting percentage (38.3%). Both teams struggle on defense, with Denver ranking 315th in points per possession allowed and St. Thomas ranking 273rd in this category.

Pick: Denver vs. St. Thomas Over 144 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 151.5)

Alabama A&M vs. Grambling

Alabama A&M plays at a fast pace, ranking fifth in the nation in total possessions per game, but they struggle defensively, ranking 359th in opponent three-point shooting percentage and 354th in fouls committed per defensive play. Grambling is weak on the defensive glass, ranking 324th in defensive rebound percentage at home, allowing teams to grab an offensive rebound on 31.1% of their missed shots.

Pick: Alabama A&M vs. Grambling Over 135 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 143.5)

10:00 PM Eastern

Cal Baptist vs. Tarleton State

Tarleton State leads the country in turnovers committed per game on offense and allows 17.9 points per 100 possessions more on defense away from home than at home. They rank 35th in points per possession allowed at home but drop to 246th away from home. Meanwhile, Cal Baptist ranks 50th in the country in offensive rebound percentage.

Pick: Cal Baptist -7 (Greg’s Handicap Cal Baptist -11.5)

CS Fullerton vs. Cal Poly

CS Fullerton is unlikely to contribute much to the total, ranking 360th in the country in points per possession and 351st in turnovers committed per possession, with the team still lacking a true point guard. Cal Poly ranks 190th in points per possession but struggles with ball control, ranking 357th in turnovers committed per possession.

Pick: CS Fullerton vs. Cal Poly Under 163.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 158.5)

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