College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Sunday, November 23.
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1:00 PM Eastern
Clemson Tigers vs. Georgia Bulldogs
While Georgia has scored at least 78 points in every game this season, the Bulldogs have actually been more efficient on defense than offense, ranking sixth in points per possession allowed. They’ve won in spite of ranking 335th in 3-point shooting percentage at just 25.9%. Clemson isn’t generating many turnovers on defense, ranking 248th in turnovers forced per possession, while Georgia is sixth in this category.
Pick: Georgia Moneyline (Greg’s Handicap: Georgia -3)
2:00 PM Eastern
Virginia Cavaliers vs. Butler Bulldogs
Butler’s inflated offensive and high-tempo numbers stem largely from their game against IU Indy in the first week of the season and playing limited minutes against a Virginia team that is 259th in possessions per game. Both teams are playing better defense than advertised: Virginia is 47th in points per possession allowed and Butler is 49th. Butler also limits second-chance opportunities, ranking 38th in defensive rebound percentage.
Pick: Under 158.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 148.5)
Longwood Lancers vs. Columbia Lions
Longwood should see positive shooting regression from their current 23.7% mark from deep and have still managed a respectable 199th in points per possession despite the poor shooting. They also defend well, ranking 23rd in turnovers forced per possession. Columbia brings back much of last season’s core that finished 363rd in opponent 3-point percentage and should see their opponents’ current 31.6% shooting rise.
Pick: Longwood +4.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Longwood -1.5)
South Carolina State Bulldogs vs. South Dakota Coyotes
South Carolina State has struggled in all facets this season as they replace most of a nine-plus-man rotation from last year, ranking 304th in points per possession allowed and 358th on offense. South Dakota has improved defensively, ranking 230th in points per possession allowed—still not great, but a notable jump from 344th last season—as they generate over 16 turnovers per game.
Pick: South Dakota -11.5 (Greg’s Handicap: South Dakota -16.5)
3:00 PM Eastern
Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers vs. Western Michigan Broncos
Mount St. Mary’s is 289th in points per possession on offense, while Western Michigan is 242nd. Both teams struggle to develop clean possessions: Mount St. Mary’s ranks 359th in turnovers per possession and Western Michigan is 283rd. The Broncos also continue to have issues shooting from deep, making just 27.8% of their 3-pointers after finishing last in the nation in home 3-point shooting last season.
Pick: Under 152.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 142.5)
5:00 PM Eastern
IU Indianapolis Jaguars vs. Air Force Falcons
IU Indy is playing one of the most extreme styles ever seen, leading the nation in possessions per game and applying full-court pressure on every possession. This has helped them rank 84th in turnovers forced per possession. Air Force has never seen a defense like this and already struggles to take care of the ball, ranking 351st in turnovers per possession on offense, while also playing a slow tempo and ranking 289th in possessions per game.
Picks: IU Indy +4.5 and Under 184.5 (Greg’s Handicap: IU Indy -2.5 and Total 164.5)
Quinnipiac Bobcats vs. Pittsburgh Panthers
Pittsburgh has slowed its tempo to 335th in possessions per game, though part of that is due to facing slow-paced opponents early in the season. They were 232nd last year. Quinnipiac has been pedestrian on defense, ranking 188th in points per possession allowed, and while they are only 303rd in points per possession offensively, they’ve scored at least 70 in three of their past four games. They should get cleaner looks with Pittsburgh ranking 305th in turnovers forced per possession.
Picks: Quinnipiac +13.5 and Over 142.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Quinnipiac +10.5 and Total 150.5)
6:00 PM Eastern
Youngstown State Penguins vs. UNC Greensboro Spartans
Youngstown State is playing at a controlled tempo, ranking 235th in possessions per game, and should improve from their current 312th ranking in points per possession allowed. They face the least efficient Division I offense thus far, as UNC Greensboro is 232nd in points per possession and lost nine of their top 10 scorers from last season. Greensboro is also 355th in offensive rebound percentage.
Pick: Under 156 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 146.5)
6:30 PM Eastern
Tulane Green Wave vs. Boston College Eagles
The Boston College offense has been sluggish, ranking 262nd in points per possession while shooting 23% from 3 and 62.7% from the line—both 339th or worse. Both should improve against a Tulane defense ranked 296th in points per possession allowed. However, Boston College’s 28.7% opponent 3-point shooting should also regress as Tulane is hitting 40.9% from deep in games away from home.
Picks: Tulane +3 and Over 137 (Greg’s Handicap: Tulane -3.5 and Total 144.5)
7:30 PM Eastern
Murray State Racers vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Murray State has cranked up their tempo to 40th in possessions per game, while Middle Tennessee sits at 87th. Both defenses have been solid: Murray State is forcing opponents to take only 22.1% of their shots from 3—the lowest rate in the country—and Middle Tennessee leads the nation in opponent 3-point percentage at 20.5%. That number will rise, but their perimeter defense remains strong after finishing 55th last year.
Pick: Under 163 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 154.5)
