College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Sunday, December 28.
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2:00 PM Eastern
Florida A&M Rattlers vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Both teams are playing at a fast tempo, as Florida A&M ranks 33rd in possessions per game and Georgia Tech is 78th, but Florida A&M has slowed down its pace in recent games, playing at a rate that is over eight possessions per game slower in its past three games against Division I teams than in its first four games. Both teams are struggling on offense, with Georgia Tech ranking 219th in points per possession and Florida A&M 361st, with Florida A&M also 363rd in turnovers per possession on offense in road games.
Pick: Florida A&M vs. Georgia Tech Under 148.5
(Greg’s Handicapped Total: 143.5)
3:00 PM Eastern
Northern Colorado Bears vs. Colorado Buffaloes
Colorado’s strength is 3-point shooting, ranking 24th in the country at 38.4%, while Northern Colorado is 110th in 3-point shooting percentage away from home at 34.4% and 19th in 3-point shooting percentage defense away from home, with teams making just 27.8% of their 3-point shots. Both teams should get plenty of clean possessions, as Northern Colorado is 360th in turnovers per possession while Colorado is 270th, with both teams playing fast—Colorado ranks 118th in possessions per game and Northern Colorado 72nd.
Pick: Northern Colorado +14.5 and Over 158.5
(Greg’s Handicap: Northern Colorado +8.5 and Total 162.5)
Norfolk State Spartans vs. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
Norfolk State has struggled on offense, ranking 325th in points per possession, while Louisiana has struggled even worse, ranking 356th, and is playing at a very slow tempo with the Cajuns 359th in possessions per game. Norfolk State is also playing at a controlled pace, ranking 226th in possessions per game, and on defense the Spartans are 40th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 29.7%.
Pick: Norfolk State +1.5 and Under 129.5
(Greg’s Handicap: Norfolk State -4.5 and Total 126.5)
5:00 PM Eastern
Washington State Cougars vs. Portland Pilots
Portland’s biggest issue is turnovers on offense, as the team ranks 346th in turnovers per possession while playing uptempo, ranking 41st in possessions per game, but they face a Washington State defense that ranks 301st in turnovers per possession forced. Washington State is 75th in 3-point shooting percentage in games played away from home at 35.7%, while Portland ranks 238th in 3-point shooting percentage defense at 34.8%.
Pick: Portland +5 and Over 151.5
(Greg’s Handicap: Portland +3.5 and Total 159.5)
6:00 PM Eastern
Old Dominion Monarchs vs. Maryland Terrapins
Old Dominion has had difficulty taking care of the ball, ranking 194th in turnovers per possession away from home, and faces a Maryland defense that ranks 70th in turnovers per possession generated at home. Both teams have struggled on offense, with Maryland ranking 178th in points per possession and Old Dominion 234th. For the season, Maryland is 84th in possessions per game, but has slowed down by over four possessions per game in its past three games compared to its first nine.
Pick: Old Dominion vs. Maryland Under 152.5
(Greg’s Handicapped Total: 143.5)
Santa Clara Broncos vs. Oregon State Beavers
Neither team is playing at too fast of a tempo, with Santa Clara ranking 207th in possessions per game and Oregon State 266th. Santa Clara is generating more turnovers than in past seasons, ranking 63rd in turnovers per possession on defense, and both teams are having a hard time taking care of the ball, with Santa Clara ranking 205th and Oregon State 255th in turnovers per possession on offense. Oregon State’s 3-point shooting percentage rises to 36% at home compared to 31% away from home.
Pick: Oregon State +6.5 and Under 153.5
(Greg’s Handicap: Oregon State +3.5 and Total 151.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
St. Mary’s Gaels vs. Loyola Marymount Lions
St. Mary’s continues to be one of the best rebounding teams in the nation, ranking eighth in rebound percentage, while Loyola Marymount ranks 180th. Both teams have been strong on defense, with St. Mary’s ranking 41st in points per possession allowed and Loyola Marymount 30th. St. Mary’s has struggled to make 3-point shots away from home, hitting just 27.6% compared to 40.3% at home, but makes up for it by turning 37.2% of missed shots into offensive rebounds, which ranks 19th in the nation.
Pick: St. Mary’s -8.5 and Under 139.5
(Greg’s Handicap: St. Mary’s -11.5 and Total 135.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
San Francisco Dons vs. Seattle Redhawks
Seattle has been solid on defense, ranking 45th in points per possession allowed, while San Francisco ranks 143rd. San Francisco has a sizable split in 3-point shooting, making 38.9% of its 3-point shots at home compared to 32.9% away from home. Seattle ranks 88th in overall 3-point shooting percentage at 35.9%, which increases to 38.3% at home. Seattle is allowing opponents to shoot 36.2% from 3-point range away from home, while opposing teams are making just 29.5% of their 3-point shots in Seattle’s home games.
Pick: Seattle -1.5 and Under 142.5
(Greg’s Handicap: Seattle -3.5 and Total 139.5)
