College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Monday, February 2.
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6:00 PM Eastern
Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs vs. Charleston Southern Buccaneers
It has been an awful year for Gardner-Webb as their metrics are a giant sea of red, ranking 363rd out of 365 Division I teams in both points per possession on offense and points per possession allowed on defense. They are 361st in rebound percentage while Charleston Southern is 19th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage on defense and 88th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. Charleston will have plenty of opportunities to increase their current ranking of 199th in points per possession on offense, considering they play at one of the quickest paces in the nation, ranking 12th in the country in total possessions per game.
Pick: Charleston Southern -16.5 (Greg’s Handicap Charleston Southern -22.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Syracuse Orange vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
Even with top scorer Donnie Freeman back, the Syracuse offense has still had plenty of struggles, ranking 160th in points per possession overall and 363rd in free throw shooting percentage at 63.1%. North Carolina has dominated on the boards, ranking 26th in rebound percentage compared to Syracuse, who is 209th. While Syracuse is 49th in the country in points per possession on defense, they allow teams to rebound 33.7% of their missed shots as an offensive rebound in games played away from home, which is 302nd in the nation. This sets up to be a mid-tempo game with North Carolina 149th in possessions per game and Syracuse 177th.
Picks: North Carolina -10 and Under 157.5 (Greg’s Handicap North Carolina -12.5 and Total 154.5)
Florida A&M Rattlers vs. Alabama State Hornets
Both teams have failed to take care of the ball on offense, with Florida A&M 360th in turnovers per possession away from home, while Alabama State is 364th in turnovers per possession on offense at home. The sheer amount of possessions in this game should lead to points, even with the high amount of turnovers, as Alabama State is 64th in possessions per game while Florida A&M is 104th. Alabama State’s current 23% 3-point shooting at home, which ranks 364th in the country, should see a good amount of positive regression, considering their 3-point shooting percentage away from home is 34%. Florida A&M is 217th in points possession allowed on defense, with opponents shooting 35.6% from 3-point range against them away from home.
Picks: Alabama State -2.5 and Over 144.5 (Greg’s Handicap Alabama State -8 and Total 152)
Southeast Louisiana Lions vs. Lamar Cardinals
Southeast Louisiana has struggled on offense all season, ranking 333rd in points per possession and their 27.7% 3-point shooting ranks 359th in the nation. Lamar is 129th in 3-point shooting percentage at 34.8%. Their weakness of ranking 277th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage gets mitigated by Southeast Louisiana’s lack of perimeter offense. with the team having a big edge down low, ranking 97th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage and 67th in rebound percentage. Southeast Louisiana is 160th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage and 302d in rebound percentage.
Picks: Lamar -5.5 and Under 134.5 (Greg’ Handicap Lamar -7.5 and Toal 131.5)
7:30 PM Eastern
Nicholls Colonials vs. Northwestern State Demons
Despite Northwestern State ranking only 303rd in the country in total possessions per game, their games involve a lot of scoring. Their defense ranks 333rd in the country in both points per possession allowed and offensive rebounds allowed to opponents, with foes pulling in 33.3% of their missed shots as an offensive rebound. Nicholls is thriving on generating turnovers, ranking 10th in turnovers generated per possession. Northwestern State is 292nd in turnovers per possession on offense.
Picks: Nicholls Moneyline and Over 145.5 (Greg’s Handicap Nicholls -3 and Total 149)
McNeese Cowboys vs Stephen F Austin Lumberjacks
Both defenses are stout as McNeese is 64th in the country in points per possession allowed and leads the country in turnovers per possession generated. Stephen F Austin is 17th in points per possession allowed. Neither team is playing at a fast pace, with McNeese 290th in total possessions per game. Stephen F Austin is 287th, which should provide a lower-scoring game, especially considering Stephen F Austin is last in the country in free throw shooting percentage at home at 60.7%.
Pick: McNeese vs. Stephen F Austin Under 142.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 138.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
Maryland Eastern Shore Eagles vs. NC Central Eagles
Both teams have failed to put points on the board this season, with Maryland Eastern Shore 358th in the country in points per possession overall. NC Central is 358th in points per possession, specifically at home. Neither team is pushing a fast tempo, with Maryland Eastern Shore 331st in possessions per game. NC Central is 245th. Neither team is taking care of the ball as NC Central is 278th in turnovers per possession and Maryland Eastern Shore is 362nd.
Pick: Maryland Eastern Shore vs. NC Central Under 136.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 126.5)
Grambling Tigers vs. Alcorn State Braves
Grambling does a sensational job of generating turnovers, ranking sixth in turnovers per possession generated on defense away from home, but if they don’t generate a turnover, they do leave themselves vulnerable to giving up open looks, ranking 287th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage away from home. Alcorn State is pushing tempo, ranking 111th in total possessions per game and are 106th in 3-point shooting percentage at 35.1%, but they are giving up a ton of points on defense, ranking 354th in points per possession allowed.
Pick: Grambling vs. Alcorn State Over 143.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 147.5)
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs
Bethune-Cookman is pushing a fast pace, ranking 71st in possessions per game with their biggest issue on offense being turnovers, ranking 293rd in turnovers per possession. Getting back nationwide leader in free throw attempts per game Doctor Bradley has elevated the offense after he missed the non-conference portion of the season. He has had at least 12 points and nine rebounds in each of the past four games, with their biggest issue being team scoring. They have 79 points or more in four of their past five games. Alabama A&M ranks 206th in points per possession allowed on defense and 166th in turnovers per possession generated. They enter with their offense gelling with at least 73 points in each of their past four games.
Pick: Bethune-Cookman vs. Alabama A&M Over 141.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 146)
9:00 PM Eastern
Kansas Jayhawks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
The return of Darryn Peterson elevates the Kansas offense as he leads the team with 21.3 points per game. Even with him on the court, the team’s strength is defense as they rank 28th in the nation in points per possession allowed and are 11th in 3-point shooting percentage defense away from home at 28.5%. Texas Tech allows teams to shoot 30.6% from 3-point range at home. While Texas Tech is overall 156th in points per possession allowed, they are giving up 12.2 points per 100 possessions fewer at home than away from home. Neither team is playing at a brisk pace, with Kansas 225th in possessions per game, while Texas Tech is 179th.
Pick: Kansas vs. Texas Tech Under 155 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 151)
10:00 PM Eastern
Idaho State Bengals vs. Portland State Vikings
Idaho State has been slow but efficient on offense, ranking 302nd in total possessions per game and 116th in points per possession. Portland State is pushing a faster tempo at 125th in total possessions per game and has been solid at executing inside, ranking 76th in 2-point shooting percentage at home. Idaho State is 285th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage and are overall 296th in points per possession allowed. Portland State gives up a lot of scoring opportunities with the clock stopped, ranking 20th in most free attempts allowed per opponent field goal attempts.
Pick: Idaho State vs. Portland State Over 135.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 140)
Weber State Wildcats vs. Sacramento State Hornets
Sacramento State is failing to execute inside, ranking 330th in 2-point shooting percentage and 279th in defensive rebound percentage. Weber State has shut teams down from the outside, ranking 15th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 29%, while Sacramento State
is 305th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage, which gives even more open looks for a Weber State team that is 59th in 3-point shooting percentage at 36.3%.
Picks: Weber State -1 and Under 166.6 (Greg’s Handicap Weber State -6 and Total 162)
