College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Monday, November 3.
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11:00 AM Eastern
Bradley Braves vs. St. Bonaventure Bonnies
In recent years, St. Bonaventure has played at a distinctly slow pace to account for rarely going to its bench, ranking 342nd in total possessions per game last season. The Bonnies figure to play a similar style this season and get back Dasonte Bowen, who averaged 11.1 points, 4.2 assists, and two steals per game before being limited to 10 games last season due to injury. The team went 9-1 against the spread in those games, and Bowen’s return should help neutralize a Bradley team that was second in 3-point shooting percentage last season at 39.7% but lost its top five scorers from a season ago.
Picks: St. Bonaventure Moneyline and Under 141.5 (Greg’s Handicap: St. Bonaventure -2.5 and Total 130.5)
6:30 PM Eastern
Quinnipiac Bobcats vs. St. John’s Red Storm
While St. John’s returns star forward Zuby Ejifor from a defense that ranked second in the country in points per possession allowed, it’s unclear whether Idaho State transfer Dylan Darling or North Carolina transfer Ian Jackson will be the primary point guard. Quinnipiac was a respectable 67th in points per possession allowed on defense last season and returns its leader in points and rebounds, Amarri Monroe, who logged 18.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game as a 6-foot-7 combo player.
Picks: Quinnipiac +26.5 and Under 157.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Quinnipiac and Total 145.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Mercer Bears vs. Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee has ranked 12th or better in points per possession allowed on defense in each of the past five seasons and brings in Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie to elevate the backcourt after averaging 14.7 points and 4.8 assists per game last season. Mercer looks to improve defensively by adding Wagner guard Zaire Williams to help a unit that ranked 187th in points per possession allowed last season but lost its top five scorers in the offseason.
Picks: Tennessee -26 and Under 144.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Tennessee -31.5 and Total 135.5)
Arizona Wildcats vs. Florida Gators
While Florida is the defending champion, the Gators have to break in a new backcourt with Boogie Fland arriving from Arkansas and Xaivian Lee from Princeton, while maintaining nearly all of their forwards from a team that ranked seventh nationally in rebound percentage. Arizona might get an addition by subtraction with Caleb Love gone from a team that was 12th in rebound percentage last season. The Wildcats return assist leader Jaden Bradley, who should help Anthony Dell’Orso build on his 7.2 points per game and 41.3% 3-point shooting from last season.
Picks: Arizona +4 and Under 164 (Greg’s Handicap: Arizona +2 and Total 162)
James Madison Dukes vs. Akron Zips
While Akron ranked 36th nationally in points per possession last season while playing at a fast pace (12th in total possessions per game), that pace looks like a one-off under coach John Groce, as Akron ranked 219th or slower in possessions per game in each of the previous four seasons. James Madison was 307th in total possessions per game in year one under coach Preston Spradlin, who consistently had Morehead State among the slowest teams in the country prior to arriving. The Dukes figure to have another defense-oriented team this season.
Picks: James Madison +7.5 and Under 154.5 (Greg’s Handicap: James Madison +4.5 and Total 142.5)
Boston College Eagles vs. Florida Atlantic Owls
Boston College returns top scorer Donald Hand, who registered 15.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, but loses seven of its top nine scorers from a 12–19 team. Florida Atlantic brings in under-the-radar international players to pair with former Stanford and Indiana guard Kannan Carlyle, who averaged 11.5 points and 2.7 assists per game in the Pac-12 two seasons ago. He should fit well in an offense that ranked 85th in points per possession last season, while Boston College ranked 263rd.
Picks: Florida Atlantic +1 and Under 149.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Florida Atlantic -6 and Total 144)
Fairfield Stags vs. Penn State Nittany Lions
While Penn State loses its top five scorers from last season, the Nittany Lions maintain a distinct defensive identity under coach Mike Rhoades, ranking in the top 50 in turnovers forced per possession in every season he’s been at the helm. They face a Fairfield unit that ranked 310th in points per possession last season and is banking on UC Santa Barbara sixth man Dueve Turner to elevate his game after averaging 9.6 points per game in a limited role last year.
Picks: Penn State -14.5 and Over 148.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Penn State -22.5 and Total 152.5)
Wofford Terriers vs. George Mason Patriots
Wofford made a surprising move in firing coach Dwight Perry in mid-September after leading the team to the 2025 NCAA Tournament, replacing him with Virginia Tech assistant Kevin Giltner less than two months before the season. George Mason has built a defensive identity under coach Tony Skinn, ranking ninth in points per possession allowed and 282nd in total possessions per game last season. The Patriots return assist leader Brayden O’Connor and add Presbyterian transfer Kory Mincy, who averaged 15 points and 4.4 assists per game.
Picks: George Mason -13 and Under 141.5 (Greg’s Handicap: George Mason -18.5 and Total 132.5)
Old Dominion Monarchs vs. Miami (OH) Redhawks
Old Dominion returns 15.6-point scorer Robert Davis and 7-foot shot-blocker Caelum Swanton-Rodger from a team that ranked 21st nationally in offensive rebound percentage. Miami (OH) lived and died by the 3-pointer last season, ranking 15th at 38.2%, and though much of that core returns, the RedHawks have a disadvantage down low after ranking 208th in rebound percentage last season.
Picks: Old Dominion +7.5 and Under 147.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Old Dominion -2 and Total 142)
North Dakota Fighting Hawks vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
North Dakota ranked 355th nationally in points per possession allowed last season and faces an Alabama backcourt boosted by guards Latrell Wrightsell and Houston Mallette, both limited to eight games or fewer last year but each a proven 16+ point-per-game scorer. They should help an Alabama offense that led the country in possessions per game and ranked ninth in points per possession continue its high-octane pace.
Picks: Alabama -31 and Over 167.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Alabama -37 and Total 173)
8:00 PM Eastern
Tarleton State Texans vs. SMU Mustangs
Tarleton State had a tumultuous fall with coach Billy Gillispie placed on temporary leave a month ago, disrupting a defense that relied heavily on turnovers—ranking second nationally in turnovers forced per possession. They now face a veteran SMU backcourt led by Kevin Miller, who averaged 13.2 points, 5.5 assists, and just 2.2 turnovers per game, one of four of the team’s top six scorers returning from last season.
Pick: SMU -20 (Greg’s Handicap: SMU -26)
SE Missouri State Redhawks vs. St. Louis Billikens
St. Louis star Robbie Avila averaged 17.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and four assists per game last season, though his efficiency dipped—his turnovers rose to 3.3 per game from 1.8 two years ago. He faces a Southeast Missouri State defense that ranked 12th nationally in opponent 3-point percentage at 30%, significant considering Josh Schertz’s teams have ranked in the top 22 in 3-point attempt rate each of the past four seasons.
Pick: SE Missouri State +18 (Greg’s Handicap: SE Missouri State +11.5)
Lehigh Mountain Hawks vs. Houston Cougars
While Houston looks to break in freshmen in the backcourt, the Cougars return point guard Milos Uzan from a team that played at an extremely slow, defensive pace—ranking 359th in possessions per game and first in fewest points per possession allowed. Lehigh, meanwhile, struggled to generate second chances, ranking 353rd in offensive rebound percentage last season.
Pick: Under 138.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Total 125)
9:30 PM Eastern
Villanova Wildcats vs. BYU Cougars
First-year Villanova coach Kevin Willard admitted in October that his team enters the season banged up and will lean heavily on Devin Askew, who averaged 18.9 points per game at Long Beach State last season but led a defense that ranked 329th in points per possession allowed. BYU brings in star freshman AJ Dybantsa to pair with Richie Saunders, who returns after averaging 16.5 points per game on 43.2% 3-point shooting for an offense that ranked 12th nationally in points per possession last year.
Picks: BYU -8.5 and Under 154.5 (Greg’s Handicap: BYU -10 and Total 146)
10:00 PM Eastern
CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners vs. California Golden Bears
The Roadrunners endured a coaching scandal that resulted in coach Rod Barnes being removed, with Mike Scott taking over as interim head coach. California brings in a strong shooting duo: Dai Dai Ames, who hit 39.7% of his 3s while averaging 8.7 points per game as a starter at Virginia last season, and John Camden, who posted 16.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game on 41.6% 3-point shooting at Delaware.
Pick: California -13.5 (Greg’s Handicap: California -19.5)
