College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Thursday, November 13.
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11:00 AM Eastern
Central Michigan Chippewas vs. South Alabama Jaguars
Central Michigan went the Division II route with its offseason coaching change, hiring Andy Bronkema from Ferris State. Bronkema brought several Division II players with him who are trying to acclimate to a higher level of competition after his Ferris State team had a negative turnover differential last season. They now face a South Alabama defense that ranked 28th nationally in turnovers forced per possession and pushed opponents into taking a lot of 3-point shots — with 59.3% of opponents’ field goal attempts coming from 3-point range, the highest rate in the country. That defensive style should translate well in a neutral-site game in Florida tipping off at 11:00 AM Eastern.
Pick: South Alabama -3.5 (Greg’s Handicap: South Alabama -7.5)
6:00 PM Eastern
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
Pittsburgh’s offense has been strong to start the season, scoring at least 74 points in all three games. They’ll be tested against a West Virginia team that’s adopting a slow and defensive style reminiscent of coach Ross Hodge’s North Texas teams last season. Entering Wednesday, West Virginia ranked 312th in total possessions per game and 17th in points per possession allowed but has yet to face a power-conference opponent. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, is shooting 36.9% from 3-point range, with each of its top four scorers making at least 38.5% of their attempts.
Pick: Over 133.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 140.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Purdue features one of the most potent guard tandems in the country, returning Braeden Smith and Fletcher Loyer from a team that ranked 17th in 3-point shooting percentage and 11th in points per possession on offense last season. The Boilermakers are also comfortable playing at a slower pace, ranking 314th in total possessions per game last season. With the nation’s leading rebounder, Oscar Cluff, joining the fray, Purdue has the personnel to slow down an Alabama team that led the nation in total possessions per game last season. While Alabama returns most of its guards aside from Mark Sears, the Crimson Tide lost much of their frontcourt depth from last season.
Picks: Purdue +3.5 and Under 175.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Purdue +1.5 and Total 167.5)
7:30 PM Eastern
Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Wichita State Shockers
Loyola Chicago has struggled across the board through its first three games of the season, including a home loss to Mercyhurst. Their issues on the glass — ranking 280th in rebound percentage entering Wednesday — are likely to be exposed by 7-foot-2 Purdue transfer Will Berg, who anchors a Wichita State team ranked 25th in rebound percentage. The Shockers should also be improved offensively with Keynon Giles, a UNC Greensboro transfer who averaged 15.3 points per game on 40.2% 3-point shooting, bolstering a unit that ranked 339th nationally in 3-point shooting percentage last season.
Pick: Wichita State -2.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Wichita State -6.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
Charleston Southern Buccaneers vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs
After ranking ninth in total possessions per game last season, Alabama A&M shifted directions this offseason by hiring Grambling coach Donte Jackson, whose teams traditionally played at a slower tempo — 300th nationally in total possessions per game. Jackson brought several of his former Grambling players with him to Alabama A&M, which faces a Charleston Southern team that has allowed at least 86 points in both of its games against Division I opponents so far.
Picks: Alabama A&M Moneyline and Under 155 (Greg’s Handicap: Alabama A&M -3.5 and Total 147.5)
UW Green Bay Phoenix vs. St. Thomas Tommies
After UW Green Bay ranked 353rd in points per possession allowed on defense last season, the Phoenix once again find themselves outside the top 350 in that category to start this year. They face a St. Thomas team that maximizes every possession, ranking 10th nationally in points per possession and 13th in lowest turnover percentage on offense last season. The Tommies return three of their top six scorers from a team that beat Green Bay 90-76 on the road last season.
Pick: St. Thomas -10.5 (Greg’s Handicap: St. Thomas -18.5)
9:00 PM Eastern
California Golden Bears vs. Kansas State Wildcats
In season three under coach Mark Madsen, California appears to be turning the corner, starting 3-0 both straight up and against the spread. The Golden Bears’ defense is also back to Madsen’s Utah Valley standards, ranking 33rd nationally in points per possession allowed entering Wednesday. That defense will be tested by Kansas State, led by PJ Haggerty — a career 20+ point-per-game scorer — on an offense that ranks 32nd in points per possession. However, Kansas State’s strong numbers have come against UNC Greensboro and Bellarmine. Both teams are playing at a moderate tempo, with Kansas State ranked 89th in possessions per game and California 129th.
Pick: Under 162.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 154.5)
