College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Thursday, March 26.
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7:10 PM Eastern
Texas Longhorns vs. Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue leads the country in points per possession on offense in road and neutral court games. While the Boilermakers are 156th overall in points per possession allowed on defense, they improve to 59th in that category away from home, allowing 3.1 fewer points per 100 possessions than they do at home. Texas has struggled defensively in those same settings, ranking 308th in points per possession allowed in games played away from home. Opponents are also shooting 38.1% from 3-point range against Texas away from home, which ranks 342nd in the nation, while Purdue ranks 8th in 3-point shooting percentage at 38.8%.
Pick: Purdue -6.5 and Over 147.5
Greg’s Handicap: Purdue -8.5 and Total 150.5
7:30 PM Eastern
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska has excelled at controlling the perimeter this season, forcing opponents to take 50% of their field goal attempts from 3-point range—the 5th-highest rate in the nation—while allowing just 30.1% shooting from beyond the arc (8th nationally). Iowa ranks 165th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 33.7% and relies heavily on turnovers to limit scoring opportunities, ranking 13th in turnovers forced per possession. The Hawkeyes also play at an extremely slow pace, ranking 365th out of 365 Division I teams in possessions per game. Nebraska can exploit Iowa’s defense, however, as it ranks 40th in fewest turnovers per possession and 72nd in 3-point shooting away from home at 35.3%.
Pick: Nebraska -1.5 and Over 131.5
Greg’s Handicap: Nebraska -2.5 and Total 136.5
9:40 PM Eastern
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Arizona Wildcats
Arkansas has been underwhelming defensively, ranking 200th in points per possession allowed, but makes up for it with elite offensive efficiency, leading the nation in fewest turnovers per possession and ranking 3rd overall in points per possession. The Razorbacks also defend the perimeter well, holding opponents to 31.5% from 3-point range (44th nationally). Arizona brings strong balance, ranking 6th in points per possession allowed on defense and 9th in points per possession on offense.
Pick: Arkansas +8 and Under 166.5
Greg’s Handicap: Arkansas +6.5 and Total 162.5
10:05 PM Eastern
Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Houston Cougars
Illinois leads the nation in points per possession on offense and faces a Houston team that emphasizes ball security, ranking 3rd in fewest turnovers per possession while also grabbing 34.3% of its missed shots as offensive rebounds (28th nationally). However, Houston faces an Illinois defense that does not prioritize forcing turnovers, ranking 365th out of 365 Division I teams in turnovers forced per possession. Instead, Illinois limits easy scoring opportunities by allowing the fewest free-throw attempts in the nation, while also ranking 35th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage (31%) and 45th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage.
Pick: Illinois +3 and Under 140
Greg’s Handicap: Illinois -1.5 and Total 137.5
