College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Sunday, December 21.
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12:00 PM Eastern
UMass Lowell River Hawks vs. Boston U Terriers
Both teams have massive defensive issues, with UMass Lowell ranking 310th in points per possession allowed and Boston U 332nd. While UMass Lowell has been equally inefficient offensively, ranking 312th in points per possession, Boston U ranks 151st offensively while playing at its preferred slow pace, ranking 349th in possessions per game. Neither team takes care of the ball, with Boston U 268th and UMass Lowell 340th in turnovers per possession.
Picks: Boston U -3 and Under 149 (Greg’s Handicap: Boston U -7.5 and Total 145.5)
Colgate Raiders vs. Florida Gators
Florida has a clear edge on the glass, ranking second in the nation in rebound percentage, while Colgate ranks 304th. However, Florida’s guards have struggled, with the Gators ranking 342nd in 3-point shooting percentage and 272nd in turnovers per possession. Colgate has maximized its possessions, ranking 12th in fewest turnovers per possession in games played away from home.
Pick: Colgate +30.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Colgate +23.5)
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Penn State Nittany Lions
Pittsburgh is one of the slowest teams in the country, ranking 343rd in possessions per game, while Penn State ranks 255th. Both teams have defensive concerns, with Penn State 210th and Pittsburgh 155th in points per possession allowed. Pittsburgh is allowing 9.9 more points per 100 possessions in road and neutral games than Penn State and is struggling to convert inside, ranking 173rd in 2-point shooting percentage.
Picks: Penn State +1.5 and Under 147.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Penn State -2 and Total 144)
Charleston Cougars vs. Northern Kentucky Norse
Charleston has struggled offensively, ranking 154th in points per possession and 309th in 3-point shooting percentage while dealing with injuries to Mister Dean and Colby Duggan, who both averaged over 15 points per game last season. Northern Kentucky ranks 15th in turnovers forced per possession and plays at a moderate tempo, ranking 143rd in possessions per game, though that has slowed to 251st recently.
Pick: Charleston vs. Northern Kentucky Under 151.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 145)
3:00 PM Eastern
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Clemson Tigers
Cincinnati has increased its tempo, ranking 56th in possessions per game, but that has led to sloppy offense, ranking 243rd in turnovers per possession and 235th in points per possession. Clemson has been solid on both ends, ranking 40th offensively and 44th defensively in points per possession while ranking ninth in turnovers per possession on offense.
Picks: Clemson -6 and Over 137.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Clemson -9.5 and Total 141.5)
4:00 PM Eastern
Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. New Mexico State Aggies
New Mexico State is built around strong defense, ranking 43rd in defensive rebound percentage and 94th in points per possession allowed while playing at a slow pace, ranking 306th in possessions per game. Sam Houston State looks to push tempo, ranking 52nd, and has been excellent defensively against the 3, ranking 35th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. Offensively, Sam Houston State ranks 102nd in points per possession but may struggle inside against a New Mexico State defense ranking 62nd in opponent 2-point shooting percentage.
Picks: New Mexico State -1.5 and Under 157 (Greg’s Handicap: New Mexico State -5.5 and Total 145.5)
Drake Bulldogs vs. Evansville Purple Aces
Drake has played strong defense away from home, ranking 81st in points per possession allowed, and plays at a slow tempo, ranking 292nd in possessions per game. Evansville also plays slowly, ranking 232nd, and struggles offensively, ranking 311th in points per possession and 3-point shooting percentage. Drake ranks 13th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage in road games.
Picks: Drake -2.5 and Under 144.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Drake -7 and Total 139)
Florida A&M Rattlers vs. TCU Horned Frogs
Florida A&M leads the nation in turnovers per possession away from home but plays at a very fast pace, ranking 21st overall and 16th in road and neutral games. TCU plays at a mid-tempo pace, ranking 185th, and has started to click offensively with 72 points or more in five of its past seven games. Florida A&M’s defense ranks 293rd in points per possession allowed.
Pick: Florida A&M vs. TCU Over 139.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 149.5)
5:00 PM Eastern
Columbia Lions vs. California Golden Bears
Both teams have shot the ball extremely well from 3-point range, with Columbia ranking 15th and California 12th. Columbia has turnover issues, ranking 307th in turnovers per possession on offense and just 293rd in turnovers forced defensively, and now faces a California defense ranking 29th in points per possession allowed.
Pick: California -7.5 (Greg’s Handicap: California -11.5)
6:00 PM Eastern
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Oregon Ducks
Gonzaga’s defense has been an eye-opener this season, ranking fourth in points per possession allowed. Oregon has struggled with ball security, ranking 266th in turnovers per possession, and sits 114th in offensive efficiency while playing at a moderate tempo, ranking 205th in possessions per game.
Pick: Gonzaga vs. Oregon Under 159.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 153.5)
Austin Peay Governors vs. Kansas City Kangaroos
Kansas City ranks 85th in possessions per game after being 322nd last season but has slowed back down over its past five games. The Kangaroos have been extremely inefficient offensively, ranking 343rd in points per possession, 318th in turnovers per possession, and 356th in 3-point shooting percentage. Austin Peay ranks 272nd offensively but is strong defensively away from home, ranking 29th in points per possession allowed and 22nd in turnovers per possession.
Pick: Austin Peay vs. Kansas City Under 145.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 136.5)
UC Davis Aggies vs. Idaho State Bengals
UC Davis games feature heavy turnover volume, ranking 300th in turnovers per possession on offense but 72nd in turnovers forced defensively. Idaho State plays at a slow pace, ranking 332nd in possessions per game, and also struggles with ball security, ranking 306th in turnovers per possession. Idaho State has been strong on the offensive glass at home, rebounding 36.7% of missed shots, and despite the small sample size, ranks second nationally in points per possession at home.
Picks: Idaho State -5.5 and Under 139.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Idaho State -7.5 and Total 133.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
North Dakota State Bison vs. UC Irvine Anteaters
Both teams are playing faster than in past seasons, with North Dakota State ranking 98th and UC Irvine 141st in possessions per game. Offensive efficiency has declined for both teams, with UC Irvine ranking 321st and North Dakota State 152nd in points per possession after ranking fifth last season. North Dakota State’s 3-point shooting has fallen from 39.8% to 31.7%, while UC Irvine ranks 27th in points per possession allowed overall and second in road and neutral games.
Picks: UC Irvine -1.5 and Under 143 (Greg’s Handicap: UC Irvine -4.5 and Total 138.5)
Nicholls Colonials vs. Pacific Tigers
Nicholls has struggled offensively, ranking 271st in points per possession, and is unlikely to get many second chances against a Pacific team ranking 24th in defensive rebound percentage overall and 12th at home. Pacific’s offense ranks 210th overall but drops to 335th at home, while its defense improves from 91st overall to 15th in home games.
Picks: Pacific -9.5 and Under 142 (Greg’s Handicap: Pacific -14.5 and Total 138.5)
Idaho Vandals vs. Cal Poly Mustangs
Cal Poly has major turnover issues, ranking 357th in turnovers per possession, though that improves to 211th at home. Idaho does not force many turnovers, ranking 336th defensively, and allows opponents to shoot 37% from 3-point range, ranking 314th nationally. Cal Poly ranks 68th in 3-point shooting at 36.6%, with nearly half of its shots coming from beyond the arc.
Pick: Cal Poly +2.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Cal Poly -4)
