College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Thursday, April 2.
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7:00 PM Eastern
Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. New Mexico Lobos
Tulsa has been highly efficient offensively, ranking 13th in the nation in points per possession and 5th in 3-point shooting percentage at 38.9%. However, they now face a New Mexico defense that excels at defending the perimeter, ranking 7th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage away from home at 29.3%, while also ranking 45th in turnovers forced per possession. Both teams play at a similar tempo, with New Mexico ranking 107th in possessions per game and Tulsa 116th.
Pick: New Mexico -3.5 and Under 161
Greg’s Handicap: New Mexico -5 and Total 157
8:00 PM Eastern
Stanford Cardinal vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
While West Virginia overall ranks 28th in points per possession allowed on defense, this drops to 167th away from home. West Virginia and Stanford give up the exact same amount of points per possession on defense away from home Stanford has the edge on offense, as they are 104th in points per possession, while West Virginia is 207th. If the game is close, West Virginia is 330th in free throw shooting percentage at 67.7%, while Stanford is 165th at 73.1%.
Picks: Stanford -1 and Over 136
(Greg’s Handicap Stanford -2 and Total 138)
9:30 PM Eastern
Illinois State Redbirds vs. Auburn Tigers
Illinois State benefits from minimal travel among the final four NIT teams, with this game being played in Indiana, and plays a slow, defensive style, ranking 261st in possessions per game and 39th in points per possession allowed. Auburn’s defense has struggled, ranking 294th in points per possession allowed, and relies on offensive rebounding and free throws offensively—ranking 20th in offensive rebound percentage (34.6%) and 6th in free throws attempted per possession. Illinois State is well-equipped to counter that, ranking 11th in defensive rebound percentage (allowing just 23.2% of missed shots to become offensive rebounds) and 120th in free throws allowed per possession.
Pick: Illinois State +6.5 and Over 149
Greg’s Handicap: Illinois State +5.5 and Total 153.5
10:30 PM Eastern
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Creighton Blue Jays
The Rutgers offense has not executed well all season, ranking 337th in 2-point shooting percentage and 255th in points per possession overall. Creighton head coach Greg McDermott is in his swan song in The Crown, as he will step down and allow coach-in-waiting Alan Huss to take over the program next season. It may lead to tons of motivation for Creighton to send McDermott out a winner as Creighton enters the tournament 142nd in points per possession on offense and 213th in points per possession allowed on defense.
Picks: Creighton -4 and Under 151.5
(Greg’s Handicap Creighton -7 and Total 149)
