College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Thursday, November 6.
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6:30 PM Eastern
Long Island Sharks vs. IU Indy Jaguars
IU Indy announced themselves as a team looking to play at warp speed on Monday in their 118–102 loss to Ohio State in their first game under new coach Ben Howlett, whose Division II West Liberty team averaged 100.9 points per game last season. They now face a Long Island team that brings back its top scorer and rebounder from a team that ranked 290th in total possessions per game last season, 338th in 3-point shooting percentage at 30.3%, and 318th in points per possession on offense.
Pick: IU Indy PK and Under 183 (Greg’s Handicap: IU Indy -3.5 and Total 155.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
The Citadel Bulldogs vs. Boston College Eagles
Boston College blew a five-point lead in the final 50 seconds of regulation in their season opener on the road against Florida Atlantic, but allowing only 66 points in regulation is an encouraging sign for their defense. They now face a Citadel team that returns a good portion of last season’s roster, which ranked 348th in points per possession and 353rd in 3-point shooting percentage at 29.2%, while playing at a slow pace that ranked 295th in total possessions per game.
Pick: Under 144 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 136.5)
Illinois State Redbirds vs. Ohio Bobcats
Ohio will look to improve at guarding the perimeter after ranking 349th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage last season, while Illinois State was 282nd in that category. The additions of Toledo’s Javan Simmons and Appalachian State’s Dior Conners help a Bobcats team that brings back much of last season’s roster, while Illinois State returns three of its top four scorers but lost assist leader Dalton Banks. Point guard Jackson Paveletzke is back for Ohio.
Pick: Ohio +1.5 and Under 158 (Greg’s Handicap: Ohio -2.5 and Total 150.5)
Campbell Fighting Camels vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
With North Texas coach Ross Hodge taking over the West Virginia program, the 70–54 slog the team played against Mount St. Mary’s on Tuesday is likely a sign of things to come, as North Texas ranked 363rd in total possessions per game last season. Campbell lost 96–64 against Wisconsin on Monday but was more competitive than the score suggests—the game was 67–62 with under 8:30 to play before Wisconsin went on a 29–2 run to end it. Campbell is a slow, defense-oriented team that ranked 37th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage and 301st in possessions per game last season.
Pick: Campbell +16.5 and Under 140.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Campbell +11.5 and Total 131.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
Omaha Mavericks vs. Abilene Christian Wildcats
Abilene Christian led the country in turnovers forced per possession on defense last season and, after losing their top two scorers, will likely play slower than their 82nd-ranked pace in possessions per game a year ago. Omaha had 17 turnovers in its opening loss to Murray State and returns four of its top six scorers, but losing primary point guard JJ White could really show itself in this matchup.
Pick: Under 154 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 145.5)
Merrimack Warriors vs. Auburn Tigers
Auburn looked shaky in game one of the Steven Pearl era, getting pushed to overtime at home against Bethune-Cookman as the team attempts to replace four of its top five scorers from last season’s Final Four squad. Merrimack runs a distinct zone defense that’s incredibly difficult to prepare for on short notice, ranking in the top five in turnovers forced per possession each of the past three seasons. They also play at a slow, controlled pace, ranking 343rd in possessions per game last season.
Pick: Merrimack +25.5 and Under 146 (Greg’s Handicap: Merrimack +17.5 and Total 141)
St. Francis PA Red Flashes vs. TCU Horned Frogs
TCU ranked 342nd in 3-point shooting percentage last season and continued that trend to start the season on Monday, shooting just 11.1% from deep in their loss to New Orleans—a high-tempo team traditionally outside the top 300 in points per possession allowed. Jamie Dixon’s TCU teams are often predicated on defense, ranking 74th in points per possession allowed and 236th in total possessions last season. St. Francis PA, under new coach Luke McConnell, showed a desire to attack inside, taking only 17 of their 66 field goal attempts from 3-point range in their loss to Oklahoma on Monday.
Pick: Under 149.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 135.5)
Texas Southern Tigers vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Texas Southern struggled in their 98–43 loss to Gonzaga but faced a veteran team with a lot of continuity. Texas A&M, now under coach Bucky McMillan from Samford, looked solid in a 30-point win against Northwestern State but is still sorting out rotations—10 players logged at least 16 minutes. Texas Southern should see positive regression from their 3-for-21 showing from 3-point range against Gonzaga, while the status of Mackenzie Mgbako remains uncertain after he missed Monday’s game for Texas A&M.
Pick: Texas Southern +29.5 and Under 161.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Texas Southern +22.5 and Total 150.5)
Northwestern State Demons vs. North Texas Mean Green
Northwestern State’s top returning rebounder, Willie Williams, missed the season opener against Texas A&M, forcing the team to play smaller and rely on generating turnovers. North Texas brought in Cleveland State coach Daniyal Robinson, who brought several players with him from the Horizon League. His previous team struggled on the glass, ranking 311th in defensive rebound percentage as opponents grabbed 30.2% of their misses, which could help a Demons team that retained much of its guard play from a squad that shot 37.2% from 3-point range on the road last season—26th nationally.
Pick: Northwestern State +15 (Greg’s Handicap: Northwestern State +8.5)
Chicago State Cougars vs. Saint Louis Billikens
Chicago State brings in Alcorn State coach Landon Bussie, who brought guards Marcus Tankersley and Braelon Bush with him—both successful SWAC players. The Cougars forced 13 turnovers against DePaul on opening night. Saint Louis opened with a 92–67 win over SE Missouri State but lost the turnover battle 15–9, a potential weakness that Chicago State could exploit.
Pick: Chicago State +30 (Greg’s Handicap: Chicago State +24.5)
10:00 PM Eastern
Denver Pioneers vs. Washington Huskies
Denver brought in coach Tim Bergstraser from Division II MSU Moorhead, where he went 75–22 in three seasons, and brought much of that roster with him. They hung tough with Seattle in an 84–73 loss on opening night. Washington wasn’t tested in a 94–50 win over Arkansas–Pine Bluff but did allow 16 offensive rebounds and benefitted from facing a team that went 3–15 in SWAC play last season.
Pick: Denver +27.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Denver +18.5)
10:30 PM Eastern
Arkansas–Pine Bluff Golden Lions vs. Portland Pilots
Portland lost its top six scorers from last season and has struggled defensively in recent years, ranking 346th in points per possession allowed. That should help a Pine Bluff team that was pounded 94–50 by Washington on opening night but takes a big step down in competition here. Quion Williams, who led Abilene Christian in scoring before being dismissed in August and joining Pine Bluff late in the offseason, should be more comfortable with a game under his belt.
Pick: Arkansas–Pine Bluff +16 and Under 161.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Arkansas–Pine Bluff +11.5 and Total 155.5)
