College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Monday, November 17.
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7:00 PM Eastern
Colgate Raiders vs. Siena Saints
While Colgate’s metrics don’t look impressive, it’s largely because they challenged themselves with road games against Illinois and Michigan State—both of which they covered with room to spare. They now face a Siena team that no longer has the interior defense it relied on last season, with all three players who averaged more than one block per game gone. Despite a lighter schedule, Siena is averaging fewer points per possession than Colgate and is shooting just 26.7% from 3-point range after ranking 227th last season with many of the same guards.
Pick: Colgate +6 (Greg’s Handicap: Colgate -1.5)
St. Joseph’s Hawks vs. Pennsylvania Quakers
Former Iowa coach Fran McCaffery had his teams in the top 33 nationally in offensive points per possession each of the past eight seasons, and he’s brought that system east to Pennsylvania. The Quakers are 44th in total possessions per game after ranking 206th under Steve Donahue last season. Donahue, now on the St. Joseph’s sideline, leads a team that sits 197th in points per possession. Meanwhile, Penn is making 42.9% of its 3-point shots and playing little defense, ranking 330th in points per possession allowed.
Pick: Over 161.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 170.5)
VCU Rams vs. NC State Wolfpack
Both programs are breaking in new coaches, with VCU shifting to a more uptempo style—93rd in possessions per game after ranking 272nd under Ryan Odom. NC State hired Will Wade from McNeese, whose team ranked 316th in possessions per game last season. The Wolfpack are 52nd in turnovers per possession but may be due for regression with their current 44.1% 3-point shooting.
Picks: VCU +12.5 and Under 166.5 (Greg’s Handicap: VCU +8.5, Total 162.5)
Niagara Purple Eagles vs. Le Moyne Dolphins
Though Xavier is having a rough season, Le Moyne made a statement by hanging tough in a 74–69 road loss. They now face a Niagara team that lost over 90% of last season’s production and, as usual, is getting hammered on the boards—ranking 345th in offensive rebound rate allowed.
Picks: Le Moyne Moneyline and Over 141.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Le Moyne -4.5, Total 148.5)
Rice Owls vs. Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee’s defense remains elite, ranking 12th or better in defensive points per possession for five straight seasons. But with a mostly new backcourt, the offense is in transition, and the Vols sit 295th in turnovers per possession despite playing overmatched opponents. Rice has been solid defensively, ranking 41st in points per possession allowed in games away from home.
Picks: Rice +27.5 and Under 143.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Rice +23, Total 141)
North Alabama Lions vs. Clemson Tigers
Clemson leads the country in fewest offensive turnovers per possession but hasn’t yet identified a true lead guard and has benefited from facing overmatched competition. North Alabama lost by more than 20 to Mississippi State to open the season but held a second-half lead in that game. With Corneilous Williams back after leading the team in rebounds last season—and currently averaging 16.3 points and 13.3 rebounds—they should hold their own inside.
Pick: North Alabama +24.5 (Greg’s Handicap: North Alabama +20.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
SIU Edwardsville Cougars vs. Wisconsin Badgers
SIU Edwardsville has been relentless defensively, ranking 25th in points allowed per possession after finishing 48th last season during their first-ever NCAA Tournament bid. Wisconsin has gone even further in burying its old slow-paced identity and now ranks 12th in offensive points per possession. But the Badgers have shown some weakness inside, ranking 142nd in opponent 2-point shooting percentage, and now face a Cougars team getting 59.1% of its points from 2-point range—19th nationally.
Pick: SIU Edwardsville +25.5 (Greg’s Handicap: SIU Edwardsville +20.5)
Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Kansas State Wildcats
Kansas State is shooting an absurd 54.4% from 3-point range—an unsustainable number, though they should remain a good shooting team. They’re also struggling to take care of the ball, ranking 325th in turnovers per possession. Tulsa has had a couple of down seasons under Eric Konkel, but bringing in David Green from Rhode Island (14.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 42.9% from 3 last season) looks like a major upgrade.
Picks: Tulsa +14.5 and Under 165.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Tulsa +8.5, Total 158.5)
Prairie View Panthers vs. Missouri Tigers
Prairie View runs one of the most aggressive pressure defenses in the country and has ranked in the top nine nationally in defensive turnovers per possession in five of the last nine seasons. Missouri ranks 26th in offensive points per possession despite being 233rd in turnovers per possession. Their 44.2% 3-point shooting has covered up some of those issues early.
Pick: Prairie View +37.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Prairie View +32.5)
9:00 PM Eastern
Georgia State Panthers vs. Arizona State Sun Devils
Georgia State returns much of its guard play, which has contributed to opponents shooting just 28.1% from 3 so far. Arizona State brings strong perimeter defense of its own, allowing only 25% from deep and ranking 62nd in turnovers forced per possession.
Picks: Georgia State +19.5 and Over 148.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Georgia State +14, Total 156)
10:00 PM Eastern
Oregon State Beavers vs. Oregon Ducks
Oregon’s offense has struggled early, ranking 257th in points per possession despite guard Jackson Shelstad missing only one game while recovering from a hand injury. Oregon State is playing at one of the slowest tempos in the nation—354th in possessions per game after ranking 332nd last season. Both teams are struggling with turnovers, with OSU ranking 313th and Oregon 274th in turnovers per possession.
Picks: Oregon State +12.5 and Under 144.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Oregon State +7.5, Total 139.5)
