College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Monday, December 29.
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2:00 PM Eastern
Missouri State Bears vs. Delaware Blue Hens
Delaware has had defensive issues at home, ranking 332nd in points per possession allowed, and looks to make up for it with its 3-point shooting, ranking 27th against Division I teams at 38.3%. Missouri State ranks 360th in 3-point shooting percentage at 26.1%, but that number rises to 31.5% in road and neutral-court games, and the Bears are doing a better job taking care of the ball, ranking 147th in turnovers per possession while Delaware ranks 295th.
Picks: Missouri State +1 and Over 134 (Greg’s Handicap: Missouri State -1 and Total 139)
5:00 PM Eastern
Towson Tigers vs. William & Mary Tribe
These teams have opposite tempos, with Towson ranking 361st in the nation in possessions per game while William & Mary ranks 10th. William & Mary games feature plenty of turnovers, as the Tribe ranks 296th in turnovers per possession on offense but 30th in turnovers per possession generated on defense, while also ranking fifth in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 26.6%.
Picks: William & Mary PK and Under 153.5 (Greg’s Handicap: William & Mary -3.5 and Total 145.5)
6:00 PM Eastern
Dartmouth Big Green vs. Florida Gators
Florida should win the battle on the glass, as the Gators lead the country in rebound percentage, but Dartmouth should hang in better than most, ranking 72nd in road rebound percentage. Florida ranks 339th in 3-point shooting percentage at 28.2%, while Dartmouth ranks 35th at 37.9%, which climbs to 40.4% in games played away from home.
Pick: Dartmouth +35.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Dartmouth +28.5)
6:30 PM Eastern
Detroit Titans vs. Youngstown State Penguins
Detroit has struggled from the outside, ranking 338th in 3-point shooting percentage at 28.2%, while Youngstown State ranks 87th at 35.9%, which improves to 38.1% at home. Youngstown State also owns a sizable edge on defense, ranking 77th in turnovers per possession forced and 130th in points per possession allowed, while Detroit ranks 305th in points per possession allowed.
Pick: Youngstown State -8.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Youngstown State -12.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Manhattan Jaspers vs. Rider Broncos
Manhattan has struggled on defense, ranking 333rd in points per possession allowed, but Rider’s defense has been nearly as bad at 316th. The Rider offense is scoring the second-fewest points per possession at home in the country and ranks 327th overall in turnovers per possession, while Manhattan ranks 225th in points per possession on offense.
Picks: Manhattan -3.5 and Under 147.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Manhattan -9.5 and Total 141.5)
Long Island Sharks vs. Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia is one of the fastest teams in the country, ranking second in possessions per game, but its games feature many dead possessions, as the Bulldogs rank 24th in turnovers per possession on defense. They face a Long Island team that ranks 319th in turnovers per possession on offense. Georgia has struggled from the perimeter, ranking 262nd in 3-point shooting percentage at 31.3%, while Long Island generates a fair amount of turnovers, ranking 100th in turnovers per possession.
Picks: Long Island +30.5 and Under 173.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Long Island +25.5 and Total 167.5)
Campbell Fighting Camels vs. Hofstra Pride
Campbell has had a difficult time taking care of the ball, ranking 336th in turnovers per possession away from home, while Hofstra should get plenty of open looks from 3-point range. Campbell is allowing teams to shoot 36.9% from beyond the arc, ranking 306th, and that number rises to 39.2% away from home, while Hofstra ranks 57th in 3-point shooting percentage at 36.8%.
Pick: Hofstra -9.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Hofstra -14.5)
Drexel Dragons vs. Charleston Cougars
Charleston is playing slower than in past seasons, ranking 236th in possessions per game, and due to numerous injuries has struggled from outside, ranking 309th in 3-point shooting percentage. Drexel is a slow, defense-oriented team, ranking 324th in possessions per game and 116th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage.
Picks: Drexel +10.5 and Under 147 (Greg’s Handicap: Drexel +6 and Total 140)
Cornell Big Red vs. Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State’s defense is stout, ranking 25th in points per possession allowed with no clear weakness, as the Spartans rank 24th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage and 60th in 3-point shooting percentage defense. They now face a Cornell offense that ranks fourth in the nation in 3-point shooting percentage at 41.4% and ninth in points per possession away from home, while also ranking 17th in road 2-point shooting percentage. Michigan State’s offense ranks 74th in points per possession.
Pick: Cornell +27.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Cornell +22)
Northern Kentucky Norse vs. Robert Morris Colonials
Northern Kentucky ranks 17th in turnovers per possession on defense, which improves to seventh in games played away from home, and plays at a moderate tempo, ranking 132nd in possessions per game. Robert Morris has slowed down to 305th in possessions per game and has struggled to take care of the ball, ranking 248th in turnovers per possession, while Northern Kentucky has had similar issues on offense, ranking 238th.
Pick: Northern Kentucky vs. Robert Morris Under 149 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 142.5)
Northeastern Huskies vs. Elon Phoenix
Northeastern’s interior defense has been weak, ranking 276th in 2-point shooting percentage defense, and faces an Elon team with one of the best mid-major offenses in the nation, ranking 46th in points per possession. Northeastern’s offense has been hampered by turnovers, ranking 210th in points per possession and 279th in turnovers per possession.
Pick: Elon -5.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Elon -12.5)
7:30 PM Eastern
UTEP Miners vs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
UTEP has done a good job generating turnovers, ranking 28th in turnovers per possession on defense, but gambles for those turnovers and ranks just 170th in points per possession allowed. The Miners are at a significant disadvantage on the boards, with Louisiana Tech ranking 57th in rebound percentage while UTEP ranks 331st, and UTEP also ranks 263rd in opponent 2-point shooting percentage.
Pick: Louisiana Tech -3 (Greg’s Handicap: Louisiana Tech -8)
8:00 PM Eastern
Tarleton State Texans vs. UT Arlington Mavericks
UT Arlington has struggled to keep possessions clean, ranking 357th in turnovers per possession on offense, and faces a Tarleton State defense that ranks third in turnovers forced per possession. UT Arlington has also struggled with its interior offense, ranking 333rd in home 2-point shooting percentage. Tarleton State continues to play at a fast pace since joining Division I, ranking 64th in possessions per game, and has top scorer Dior Johnson back after missing four games, as he is averaging 22.8 points per game.
Picks: Tarleton State +2.5 and Over 138 (Greg’s Handicap: Tarleton State -3.5 and Total 141.5)
