College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Saturday, March 14.
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Note: More matchups and lines will come tonight and Greg may have additional plays.
11:00 AM Eastern
Cornell Big Red vs. Yale Bulldogs
This sets up as a tempo clash with Cornell ranking 35th in possessions per game while Yale is 306th. Both teams have been highly efficient on offense, with Cornell third in the country in points per possession away from home while Yale ranks 13th. Yale has also played its best defense away from home, improving from 153rd in points per possession allowed overall to 81st in road and neutral court games. Cornell also struggles to create second chances, ranking 209th in rebound percentage.
Picks: Yale -3.5 and Under 164.5 (Greg’s Handicap Yale -5.5 and Total 159.5)
Vermont Catamounts vs. UMBC Retrievers
Neither team plays at a fast pace with Vermont ranking 345th in possessions per game while UMBC is 286th. Neither team allows many second chances to score, as Vermont allows opponents to rebound just 20.2% of their missed shots as offensive rebounds, which ranks second in the nation away from home. UMBC is also strong on the defensive glass, ranking 54th in defensive rebound percentage, and they rank 12th in the nation in fewest free throws allowed per possession.
Pick: Vermont vs. UMBC Under 137.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 134.5)
1:00 PM Eastern
Wisconsin Badgers vs. Michigan Wolverines
Wisconsin already defeated Michigan away from home this season and has a major edge in ball security. The Badgers rank third in the country in fewest turnovers per possession on offense while Michigan ranks 186th. Wisconsin also ranks 22nd in the nation in points per possession on offense. Michigan may have the edge on the glass, ranking eighth in rebound percentage while Wisconsin ranks 138th, but the Badgers are also 12th in the nation in free throw shooting percentage at 78.5%.
Pick: Wisconsin +12.5 (Greg’s Handicap Wisconsin +9)
Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Florida Gators
Both teams play at a fast pace with Florida ranking 25th in possessions per game and Vanderbilt 41st. However, Florida has been a strong defensive team, ranking 20th in points per possession allowed. Their games also tend to feature fewer made three-point shots as Florida ranks 56th in opponent three-point shooting percentage away from home at 31.9%, while the Gators themselves rank 314th in three-point shooting percentage at 31.4%.
Pick: Vanderbilt vs. Florida Under 160.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 156)
3:00 PM Eastern
Charlotte 49ers vs. South Florida Bulls
These teams play at drastically different tempos, with South Florida ranking second in the nation in total possessions per game while Charlotte ranks 333rd. Charlotte will try to exploit South Florida’s suspect perimeter defense, as the Bulls rank 227th in opponent three-point shooting percentage at 34.7%. Charlotte shoots 35.4% from three-point range, which ranks 95th in the country, and they are also 50th in two-point shooting percentage away from home.
Picks: Charlotte +14.5 and Under 153.5 (Greg’s Handicap Charlotte +12.5 and Total 150.5)
Additions after initial post went live:
3:30 PM Eastern
St. Joseph’s Hawks vs. VCU Rams
St. Joseph’s has been stout on defense, ranking 47th in points per possession allowed away from home. VCU has been comparable at 60th. VCU offense ranks 42nd in points per possession, while St. Joseph’s is 236th. St. Joseph’s 30.8% 3-point shooting ranks 329th in a game where made 3-point shots might be scarce. VCU is 54th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage, while St. Joseph’s is 22nd in opponent 2-point shooting percentage in games played away from home.
Picks: VCU -6.5 and Under 146.5 (Greg’s Handicap VCU -8.5 and Total 142.5)
5:30 PM Eastern
Wichita State Shockers vs. Tulsa’s Golden Hurricane
Tulsa has to play a rested Wichita State team less than 24 hours following a triple-overtime thriller against North Texas. Tulsa will be at a disadvantage on the glass as Wichita State rebounds 38.5% of their own missed shots in away games, which ranks second in the nation. Tulsa’s forte is making 39.5% of their 3-point shots on offense, which ranks fourth in the nation. Wichita State is 29th in the country in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 30.7%.
Pick: Wichita State +1.5 (Greg’s Handicap Wichita State -3)
6:00 PM Eastern
San Diego State Aztecs vs. Utah State Aggies
Utah State ranks fourth in turnovers per possession generated in away games. San Diego State is 215th in turnovers per possession on offense. San Diego State is at a disadvantage on the inside on offense, ranking 112th in 2-point shooting percentage, while Utah State is 11th. Utah State shoots better from 3-point range away from home at 35.% while San Diego State is at 33.2%.
Pick: Utah State -1.5 (Greg’s Handicap Utah State -4)
8:00 PM Eastern
Toledo Rockets vs. Akron Zips
Toledo and Akron have both executed well on offense this season. Toledo ranked 59th in points per possession and Akron is fifth in this department. Akron is eighth in 3-point shooting percentage at 38.9%, while Toledo is 28th at 36.9%. Toledo is not guarding the 3-point arc on defense, ranking 237th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 34.7%. They are exploited even more on the inside, ranking 325th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage.
Picks: Toledo -7 and Over 158.5 (Greg’s Handicap Toledo -9 and Total 165)
10:00 PM Eastern
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors vs. UC Irvine Anteaters
Both teams are strong on defense. Hawaii ranks 11th in points per possession allowed on defense overall. UC Irvine is allowing the fewest points per possession in a road or neutral court setting in the nation. Both teams are also playing fast. UC Irvine ranks 50th in the country in total possessions per game, while Hawaii is 23rd. Hawaii gets to the free throw line often, ranking 21st in free-throw attempts per field goal attempts, and their 29.5% 3-point shooting at home goes up to 34.2% away from home.
Pick: Hawaii vs. UC Irvine Over 137.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 147)
Cal Baptist Lancers vs. Utah Valley Wolverines Midnight Eastern
Utah Valley has struggled to take care of the ball, ranking 350th in turnovers per possession on offense. They offset this by ranking eighth in turnovers generated per possession on defense. They are strong on the inside, ranking 39th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage on defense and 26th in 2-point shooting percentage on offense. Cal Baptist is 314th in 2-point shooting percentage, while also ranking 30th in highest percentage of field goal attempts that are 2-point shots in away games.
Picks: Utah Valley -1.5 and Under 138.5(Greg’s Handicap Utah Valley -4.5 any Total 136.5)
