College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Sunday, November 16.
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12:00 PM Eastern
Appalachian State Mountaineers vs. Dartmouth Big Green
Appalachian State had a tough start to the season with an 82–66 loss, but has gotten back to its hard-nosed defensive approach since. They now face a Dartmouth offense that lost top scorer Ryan Cornish to USC in the offseason and has not adjusted well, entering the weekend 314th in points per possession on offense.
Pick: Appalachian State -1 (Greg’s Handicap: Appalachian State -5.5)
2:00 PM Eastern
Kennesaw State Owls vs. South Florida Bulls
South Florida coach Brian Hodgson has his team playing fast, ranking 20th in total possessions per game, and brought many players with him from Arkansas State, who ranked 35th in the country in points per possession allowed on defense. Kennesaw State is similarly fast, ranking 23rd in total possessions per game, but that comes from just one game against a Division I team, as the other two were against non-D1 opponents. Last season, Kennesaw struggled offensively, ranking 244th in points per possession due to turnover issues, sitting 323rd in turnovers per possession.
Pick: Kennesaw State vs. South Florida Under 177.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 167.5)
UMass Lowell River Hawks vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
UMass Lowell has struggled mightily on offense, ranking 335th in points per possession after having to overhaul nearly the entire roster. Wake Forest is having its own scoring issues, ranking 187th in points per possession and shooting just 28.9% from 3—almost identical to last season’s 28.5%.
Pick: UMass Lowell vs. Wake Forest Under 164.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 152)
Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islanders vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State coach Steve Lutz was leading Texas A&M–Corpus Christi just three seasons ago, and since his departure the Islanders have slowed down, ranking 215th in possessions per game. Oklahoma State sits 15th in possessions per game and has thrived on defense, ranking 16th in points per possession allowed. Texas A&M–CC has struggled offensively at 337th in points per possession, while Oklahoma State has had its own issues, shooting just 31.7% from 3 and averaging 12.7 turnovers per game.
Pick: Texas A&M–Corpus Christi +22.5 and Under 162.5 (Greg’s Handicap: TAMU–CC +18, Total 154)
4:00 PM Eastern
Lindenwood Lions vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs
Both teams have been underwhelming on offense—Lindenwood ranks 318th in points per possession this season after finishing last nationally in 3-point percentage last year, while Alabama A&M sits 338th. Lindenwood’s ability to generate turnovers (63rd in turnovers forced per possession last season) becomes key here, especially with Alabama A&M also struggling on the boards, ranking 336th in rebound percentage.
Pick: Lindenwood +3.5 and Under 156 (Greg’s Handicap: Lindenwood -1, Total 149)
Presbyterian Blue Hose vs. Sacramento State Hornets
Sacramento State went the NBA route with their leadership group—Shaquille O’Neal is the new general manager—and through four games under coach Mike Bibby, the Hornets sit at a mid-tempo pace, ranking 142nd in possessions per game. They face a Presbyterian team that wants to play slow and through the post, with Jonah Pierce and Jaylen Peterson both averaging over 10 rebounds per game for a team ranked 360th in possessions per game.
Pick: Presbyterian vs. Sacramento State Under 155.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 147)
5:30 PM Eastern
Incarnate Word Cardinals vs. Indiana Hoosiers
Among the 362 Division I teams that had played at least one D1 opponent entering the weekend, Incarnate Word ranked dead last in points per possession allowed. They now face an Indiana team that looks completely revitalized under new coach Darian DeVries, ranking third in points per possession on offense and scoring at least 98 points in all three games.
Pick: Incarnate Word vs. Indiana Over 153.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 157.5)
6:00 PM Eastern
Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati had an offseason full of unexpected changes, with George Mason transfer Jalen Haynes dealing with injury and starting guard Jizzle James dismissed from the program. The result is an offense ranking 201st in points per possession entering the weekend, though the defense has been excellent at 10th nationally in points per possession allowed. Mount St. Mary’s has faced similar offensive struggles at 286th and has slowed games down, ranking 307th in possessions per game.
Pick: Mount St. Mary’s +26.5 and Under 148.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Mount St. Mary’s +18, Total 142)
7:30 PM Eastern
Akron Zips vs. Purdue Boilermakers
Akron shifted to a higher-tempo offensive approach last season and is doubling down this year, ranking 34th in points per possession entering the weekend after finishing 36th last season. They sit 75th in possessions per game and face one of the best guard tandems in the country. Purdue is 11th in points per possession on offense but has been shaky on defense—allowing 80 to Alabama is fine, but giving up 77 at home to Oakland is concerning and has them 147th in points per possession allowed.
Pick: Akron +20 and Over 159.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Akron +13.5, Total 167.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
Troy Trojans vs. Cal State Northridge Matadors
For the second straight season, Troy is struggling with ball security, ranking 290th in turnovers per possession after finishing 328th last year. They face a Northridge team that is playing fast and controlling the boards, ranking 49th in possessions per game and 95th in rebound percentage, while Troy sits 212th.
Pick: Cal State Northridge +3.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Cal State Northridge -2.5)
