College Basketball Picks Today:

Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Saturday, March 8.

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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12:00 PM Eastern

St. John’s vs. Marquette

St. John’s leads the country in fewest points per possession allowed away from home. Meanwhile, Marquette ranks 239th in rebound percentage, compared to St. John’s at 24th. St. John’s is also 62nd in fewest turnovers per possession away from home, which is crucial against a Marquette team that ranks 11th in turnovers per possession generated on defense at home but just 287th in home 3-point shooting at 31.7%.

Pick: St. John’s +3 (Greg’s Handicap: St. John’s -1.5)

Vanderbilt vs. Georgia

Georgia has struggled with ball security, ranking 292nd in turnovers per possession on offense. Vanderbilt, on the other hand, is 33rd in turnovers per possession generated on defense away from home. However, Vanderbilt’s offense will face challenges against a Georgia defense that ranks 49th in points per possession allowed and 21st in opponent 3-point shooting percentage.

Pick: Under 149.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 145.5)

Kentucky vs. Missouri

Kentucky’s offense dips significantly away from home. While they rank fifth in the nation in points per possession overall, they average 15.9 points per 100 possessions fewer on the road, ranking 64th in points per possession away from home. Defensively, Kentucky is 18th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage, while Missouri ranks 33rd in turnovers per possession on defense.

Pick: Under 170.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 165.5)

NC State vs. Miami

Miami ranks dead last (364th) in Division I in 3-point shooting defense but faces an NC State team that ranks 179th in points per possession and shoots just 32.2% from 3-point range—though that improves to 34.7% in road games. NC State plays a slow and controlled game, ranking 348th in total possessions per game away from home and 19th in fewest turnovers per possession away from home.

Pick: NC State PK & Under 149.5 (Greg’s Handicap: NC State -4.5 & Total 144.5)

2:00 PM Eastern

Georgetown vs. DePaul

Georgetown ranks 50th in points per possession allowed on defense, but both teams struggle with turnovers. Georgetown ranks 192nd in turnovers per possession on offense, while DePaul is 247th in this category. DePaul’s offense is also just 199th in points per possession.

Pick: Under 145.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 139.5)

2:30 PM Eastern

Alabama vs. Auburn

Auburn ranks ninth in the country in points per possession allowed at home. While Alabama leads the nation in total possessions per game, Auburn plays at a more moderate pace, ranking 138th in possessions per game. Defensively, Alabama is 17th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage, holding teams to just 30.1%.

Pick: Auburn -7.5 & Under 178.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Auburn -8.5 & Total 174.5)

3:00 PM Eastern

UTEP vs. Louisiana Tech

UTEP ranks 12th in turnovers per possession generated on defense away from home, while Louisiana Tech’s offense is 297th in turnovers per possession committed. Defensively, Louisiana Tech is 85th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage, with forward Daniel Batcho averaging two blocks per game (25th in the nation). Both teams defend the 3-point line well, with Louisiana Tech ranking 86th in opponent 3-point percentage and UTEP 100th.

Pick: Under 141.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 137.5)

4:00 PM Eastern

California vs. Notre Dame

Notre Dame, which shoots 35.9% from 3-point range (71st nationally), will have plenty of opportunities against a California defense that ranks 356th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage (38%). Cal also ranks 268th in points per possession allowed and struggles on the offensive glass, with Notre Dame ranking 28th in defensive rebound percentage (opponents grab just 23.6% of their misses).

Pick: Notre Dame -3 (Greg’s Handicap: Notre Dame -7)

6:00 PM Eastern

Mississippi vs. Florida

Florida should dominate the boards with Alex Condon back in the starting lineup. The Gators rank 10th in rebound percentage, while Mississippi is just 316th. Mississippi will also struggle from deep against a Florida defense that ranks eighth in opponent 3-point shooting percentage, allowing just 26.8% at home.

Pick: Florida -11.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Florida -13.5)

7:30 PM Eastern

Sacramento State vs. Weber State

Weber State ranks 320th in points per possession allowed on defense, while Sacramento State isn’t much better at 303rd. Weber State’s interior play contributes to high-scoring games—they rank 263rd in defensive rebound percentage, while their offense ranks 77th in road 2-point shooting percentage.

Pick: Over 132.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 138.5)

8:00 PM Eastern

USC vs. UCLA

UCLA forces turnovers at an elite level, ranking fifth in the nation in turnovers per possession forced and 16th in points per possession allowed at home. They also play at a slow pace, ranking 301st in possessions per game. USC is strong in road 3-point defense, ranking 15th (29.6%), but struggles offensively from deep, shooting just 30.1% away from home compared to 40.8% at home.

Pick: Under 143.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 140.5)

Virginia vs. Syracuse

Virginia remains one of the slowest teams in the country, ranking 362nd out of 364 in total possessions per game. They face a Syracuse team that ranks 337th in home 3-point shooting (29.7%). Virginia also struggles on the offensive glass, ranking 341st in offensive rebound percentage (grabbing just 21% of their misses).

Pick: Under 138 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 134)

11:00 PM Eastern

Utah vs. BYU

Utah’s 3-point shooting drops significantly on the road, from 35.4% at home to just 29.4% away. Offensive rebounding will also be tough against a BYU team that ranks eighth in defensive rebound percentage, allowing opponents to grab just 22.3% of their misses. However, BYU’s offense may also struggle against a Utah defense that allows a lower 3-point shooting percentage on the road than at home and ranks 24th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage.

Pick: Under 153.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 148.5)

Eastern Washington vs. Northern Arizona

Eastern Washington will have limited second-chance opportunities, as Northern Arizona ranks fourth in defensive rebound percentage (allowing just 21.4% of misses to be rebounded). Eastern Washington also struggles defensively, ranking 333rd in points per possession allowed and shooting just 30.7% from 3-point range in road games.

Pick: Northern Arizona -3.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Northern Arizona -7.5)

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