College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Monday, December 1.
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12:00 PM Eastern
South Carolina State Bulldogs vs. Chicago State Cougars
Neither team has a win this season, but Chicago State has shown recent signs of life under first-year coach Landon Bussie with their ability to generate turnovers, ranking 161st in turnovers forced per possession. They face a South Carolina State team that is 306th in turnovers per possession on offense, 340th in points per possession on offense, and even less efficient on defense, ranking 345th in points per possession allowed—all while playing at a fast tempo, ranking 61st in total possessions per game.
Pick: Chicago State -2.5 and Over 150.5 (Greg’s Handicap Chicago State -7.5 and Total 155.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Iona Gaels vs. Delaware Blue Hens
Both teams should see regression in their current 3-point percentages. Delaware is 13th in the country in 3-point shooting percentage against Division I teams at 40.9%, which skyrockets to 52.4% at home, while Iona is 19th in 3-point percentage defense at 26.4%. Iona also has the edge in extra scoring chances, as Delaware is 333rd in turnovers created per defensive play and 332nd in offensive rebound percentage, grabbing just 21.8% of their missed shots.
Pick: Iona -1.5 (Greg’s Handicap Iona -5)
Tarleton State Texans vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati increased their tempo early in the season and sit 57th in possessions per game, but seem to be getting back to their slower, more controlled style with their past three games averaging more than five fewer possessions per game than their first five contests. The offense has struggled, ranking 240th in points per possession. Tarleton State’s offense has improved dramatically from ranking 362nd last season to 147th now, while the Texans are 49th in turnovers forced per possession on defense.
Pick: Tarleton State +17.5 and Under 145.5 (Greg’s Handicap Tarleton State +10.5 and Total 140.5)
St. Francis PA Red Flashes vs. Xavier Musketeers
St. Francis has sped up to 72nd in total possessions per game but isn’t cashing in, ranking 357th in points per possession and 343rd in turnovers per possession on offense. They are, however, 64th in turnovers forced per possession on defense and should see positive regression to opponents hitting 37.6% from 3-point range. Xavier won’t allow many second chances, ranking 35th in defensive rebound percentage.
Pick: St. Francis PA vs. Xavier Under 152.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 148)
North Alabama Lions vs. Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Jacksonville State is playing at one of the slowest paces in the country, ranking 335th in total possessions per game, but the possessions are clean. The Gamecocks rank 278th in turnovers forced per possession, while North Alabama sits at 315th and also allows plenty of second chances, ranking 329th in defensive rebound percentage with opponents grabbing 36.4% of their missed shots.
Pick: North Alabama vs. Jacksonville State Over 134.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 138.5)
7:30 PM Eastern
UAB Blazers vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
UAB wants to attack inside the arc, getting 58.2% of their points from made 2-point shots—the 16th-highest percentage in the country. They rank 132nd in 2-point shooting percentage on offense and 206th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage on defense. While they are 77th in points per possession allowed, they give up 14.7 more points per 100 possessions away from home. Middle Tennessee should benefit from that.
Pick: Middle Tennessee +3.5 and Over 155.5 (Greg’s Handicap Middle Tennessee -3.5 and Total 159.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
Bowling Green Falcons vs. Kansas State Wildcats
Both teams can exploit each other’s weaknesses. Bowling Green is second in the country in turnovers forced per possession on defense, while Kansas State is 254th in turnovers committed per possession on offense. On the flip side, Kansas State is third nationally in 3-point shooting at 42.9% and has cranked its pace to 33rd in possessions per game. Bowling Green is allowing teams to take 46.9% of their shots from 3-point range, the 33rd-highest rate in the country.
Pick: Kansas State -12.5 (Greg’s Handicap Kansas State -15.5)
9:00 PM Eastern
Portland Pilots vs. Stanford Cardinal
Portland is playing fast, ranking 52nd in possessions per game, but also ranking 326th in turnovers per possession. They face a Stanford team that isn’t giving anything away, ranking 27th in turnovers forced per possession and 16th in rebound percentage, allowing opponents to grab just 20.8% of their missed shots as an offensive rebound. Stanford should also see positive regression to opponents shooting 36% from deep.
Pick: Stanford -16.5 and Under 155.5 (Greg’s Handicap Stanford -18.5 and Total 153.5)
