College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Monday, January 19.
Check out Greg’s Daily College Basketball Lines and his Coast 2 Coast Hoops Podcast. Also, check out our College Basketball Betting Splits and become a VSiN Pro Subscriber.
2:00 PM Eastern
Columbia Lions vs. Yale Bulldogs
Yale has been one of the most efficient offenses in the country, ranking ninth in points per possession, but they are at a disadvantage on the glass against a Columbia team that ranks 14th overall in rebound percentage and seventh in games played away from home. Columbia’s perimeter play should also help them keep pace with a Yale offense that ranks third nationally in 3-point shooting percentage at 40.7%, as Columbia is 29th at 37.4% while Yale ranks just 283rd in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at home at 35.9%.
Pick: Columbia +8.5 (Greg’s Handicap Columbia +4)
Sacred Heart Pioneers vs. Rider Broncos
Rider has struggled mightily to score, ranking 360th in points per possession while playing at one of the slowest tempos in the country at 341st in possessions per game. Defensively, Rider has been ineffective at forcing turnovers, ranking 361st in turnovers per possession, which should help a Sacred Heart offense that ranks 307th in turnovers per possession execute more cleanly. Rider’s shooting woes continue as well, ranking 365th out of 365 Division I teams in 3-point shooting percentage at 25.2%.
Picks: Sacred Heart -3.5 and Under 139.5 (Greg’s Handicap Sacred Heart -8 and Total 136)
New Hampshire Wildcats vs. Maine Black Bears
Both offenses have been inefficient all season with Maine ranking 362nd in points per possession and New Hampshire 348th. Maine has also struggled with the fundamentals, ranking 348th in rebound percentage, 352nd in turnovers per possession on offense, and last in the nation in free throw shooting percentage at home at 57.1%.
Pick: New Hampshire +1.5 (Greg’s Handicap New Hampshire -3)
Merrimack Warriors vs. Marist Red Foxes
Merrimack continues to play at one of the slowest tempos in the nation, ranking 353rd in possessions per game, while Marist also prefers a slower style at 267th. Marist has been excellent defensively, ranking third nationally in opponent 3-point shooting percentage as teams are making just 23% of their 3-point attempts in home games, and ranks 14th in turnovers per possession. Merrimack has been crushed on the glass, ranking dead last out of 365 Division I teams in rebound percentage.
Picks: Marist -5.5 and Under 136.5 (Greg’s Handicap Marist -8.5 and Total 126.5)
McNeese Cowboys vs. Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Islanders
This game sets up as a defensive grind with McNeese ranking second in the country in turnovers forced per possession on defense while Texas A&M–Corpus Christi ranks 18th in turnovers generated per possession. Both teams play at a lower tempo with McNeese 256th and the Islanders 227th in possessions per game, and Texas A&M–Corpus Christi ranks just 327th in points per possession on offense.
Pick: McNeese vs. Texas A&M–Corpus Christi Under 141.5 (Greg’s Handicap Total 136.5)
3:00 PM Eastern
Long Island Sharks vs. Le Moyne Dolphins
Le Moyne has struggled to defend the perimeter, ranking 350th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 38.2%. Both teams have had turnover issues with Long Island ranking 342nd in turnovers per possession and Le Moyne 308th, while Le Moyne has also failed to generate turnovers defensively, ranking 268th. Long Island games feature plenty of second-chance opportunities as the Sharks rank 21st in offensive rebound percentage and 322nd in defensive rebound percentage.
Pick: Long Island vs. Le Moyne Over 146.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 152.5)
6:00 PM Eastern
Princeton Tigers vs. Dartmouth Big Green
Dartmouth’s biggest issue this season has been turnovers, ranking 296th in turnovers per possession on offense and 317th defensively, which makes their elite 3-point shooting even more impactful, as they are making 38.7% of their attempts, 15th nationally. Princeton is shooting 33.3% from 3-point range overall, which drops to 31.2% away from home, and attempts 49.4% of their field goal attempts on the road from beyond the arc. Dartmouth has done a strong job defending the perimeter, ranking 45th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 30.4%.
Pick: Dartmouth -1 (Greg’s Handicap Dartmouth -6)
7:00 PM Eastern
New Haven Chargers vs. Chicago State Cougars
Both teams have been dreadful offensively with New Haven ranking 355th in points per possession and Chicago State 350th, but if this game comes down to free throws, Chicago State holds a major edge, ranking 28th nationally at 77.3% while New Haven ranks 341st at 66.2%. Defensively, Chicago State has limited perimeter looks at home, allowing just 30.2% from 3-point range, while New Haven ranks 284th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage.
Pick: Chicago State +1.5 (Greg’s Handicap Chicago State -5)
7:30 PM Eastern
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks vs. Nicholls Colonels
Stephen F. Austin is no longer forcing turnovers at the elite rate of past seasons, ranking 199th in turnovers generated per possession, but remains a defensive powerhouse, ranking 15th in points per possession allowed. On offense, SFA has taken care of the ball well, ranking 36th in turnovers per possession. Nicholls’ defense, meanwhile, is built around creating turnovers, ranking 11th in turnovers forced per possession.
Pick: Stephen F Austin -3.5 and Under 144.5 (Greg’s Handicap Stephen F Austin -7.5 and Total 139.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
Montana Grizzlies vs. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Montana is looking to push tempo, ranking 60th in possessions per game, but their biggest weakness has been ball security, ranking 335th in turnovers per possession on offense. Northern Arizona ranks 179th in turnovers generated per possession and gives up plenty of second chances, ranking 289th in defensive rebound percentage. Montana has shot the ball well on the road, ranking 43rd in road 3-point shooting percentage at 37.4%.
Pick: Montana vs. Northern Arizona Over 144.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 149)
Texas Southern Tigers vs. Jackson State Tigers
The metrics for both teams are ugly, with both ranking outside the top 325 in points scored and allowed per possession after difficult non-conference schedules. Jackson State appears to have found some offensive rhythm in SWAC play, averaging 85 points per game in their first three conference contests. Texas Southern has struggled on the glass in conference play and continues to search for consistency, with nine of their top 10 scorers having missed at least two games this season.
Pick: Jackson State -1.5 (Greg’s Handicap Jackson State -7)
