College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Thursday, December 18.
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11:00 AM Eastern
North Florida Ospreys vs. Charleston Southern Buccaneers
There should be plenty of scoring opportunities in this game, as North Florida ranks last in the country in defensive rebound percentage, allowing 46.2% of missed shots to turn into offensive rebounds, and sits 359th in points per possession allowed overall. Charleston Southern generates the fewest turnovers per possession on defense of any team in the country, and both teams are playing at a fast pace, with North Florida 66th in possessions per game and Charleston Southern 55th.
Pick: North Florida vs. Charleston Southern Over 156.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 165.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs. Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
Southern Utah ranks 332nd in the country in points per possession on offense and 280th in turnovers per possession, while also forcing opponents inside the arc, ranking 42nd in the highest percentage of opponent shots that are 2-pointers. However, they rank just 325th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage. Neither team generates many second chances, with Northern Arizona 277th in offensive rebound percentage and Southern Utah 327th.
Picks: Northern Arizona -5.5 and Under 149 (Greg’s Handicap: Northern Arizona -9, Total 145)
Furman Paladins vs. Manhattan Jaspers
Both defenses have gotten off to rough starts, with Furman ranking 271st in points per possession allowed and Manhattan 343rd. Manhattan has also struggled offensively, scoring 70 points or fewer in three straight games. Furman plays at a slow pace, ranking 270th in possessions per game, and neither offense has been overly impressive, with Furman 149th in points per possession and Manhattan 249th.
Pick: Furman vs. Manhattan Under 154.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 148.5)
Radford Highlanders vs. William & Mary Tribe
Radford has major issues defending the 3-point line, ranking 303rd in opponent 3-point shooting percentage, and now faces a William & Mary team that ranks 46th in the nation in the percentage of shots that come from 3-point range. That also opens up the interior, where William & Mary ranks 21st in 2-point shooting percentage. Radford also struggles to create second chances, ranking 270th in offensive rebound percentage.
Pick: William and Mary -8 (Greg’s Handicap: William and Mary -14)
8:00 PM Eastern
Drake Bulldogs vs. Murray State Racers
Both offenses have been efficient, with Drake ranking 73rd in points per possession and Murray State 27th. The Racers live up to their name, ranking 36th in possessions per game, but Drake has been excellent at slowing games down, ranking 290th in possessions per game. Drake also ranks 14th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage away from home and 37th in points per possession allowed in road games.
Picks: Drake +7.5 and Under 160 (Greg’s Handicap: Drake +5.5, Total 149.5)
UT Martin Skyhawks vs. Tennessee State Tigers
Both teams have struggled with ball security, with UT Martin ranking 357th in turnovers per possession on offense and Tennessee State 309th. Tennessee State does a good job of generating second chances, ranking 106th in offensive rebound percentage, while also pushing tempo at 54th in possessions per game. UT Martin has shot the ball well from deep on the road, ranking 113th in road 3-point shooting percentage at 34.4%.
Picks: UT Martin +3.5 and Over 141.5 (Greg’s Handicap: UT Martin -1, Total 151)
Little Rock Trojans vs. Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles
Southern Indiana has struggled shooting the ball, ranking 321st or worse in 2-point, 3-point, and free-throw shooting percentage, but they face a Little Rock defense that ranks 342nd in points per possession allowed. Southern Indiana plays at a very fast pace, ranking eighth in possessions per game at home, and should generate plenty of second chances with Little Rock ranking 336th in defensive rebound percentage, allowing 34.8% of missed shots to be rebounded offensively.
Picks: Southern Indiana -3.5 and Over 140.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Southern Indiana -5.5, Total 145.5)
8:30 PM Eastern
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns vs. Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Louisiana has struggled on both ends of the floor, ranking 361st in points per possession on offense and 238th in points per possession allowed, while also sitting 346th in turnovers per possession on offense. They’ll have a tough matchup on the glass against a Southern Miss team that ranks 37th in offensive rebound percentage, with 35.7% of missed shots turning into offensive rebounds. Louisiana is allowing opponents to rebound 32.9% of missed shots offensively in road games.
Picks: Southern Miss -12.5 and Over 131.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Southern Miss -17.5, Total 135.5)
9:00 PM Eastern
Illinois State Redbirds vs. Southern Illinois Salukis
Southern Illinois ranks 326th in 3-point shooting percentage at 28.6% and faces an Illinois State team that has improved defensively on the interior, ranking 66th in defensive rebound percentage and 118th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage. Southern Illinois is also at a disadvantage in ball security, ranking 186th in turnovers per possession, while Illinois State is 49th in fewest turnovers per possession away from home.
Picks: Illinois State +2.5 and Under 151.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Illinois State -2.5, Total 146.5)
