College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Tuesday, December 23.
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12:00 PM Eastern
UW Green Bay Phoenix vs. Campbell Fighting Camels
The main issue Campbell has had this season is turnovers, ranking 346th in turnovers per possession, but they face a UW Green Bay defense that is 361st in turnovers per possession generated. UW Green Bay is also not giving itself any second chances to score on offense, ranking 360th in offensive rebound percentage with only 18.7% of missed shots becoming offensive rebounds.
Picks: Campbell -3.5 and Under 149.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Campbell -5, Total 147)
Binghamton Bearcats vs. Army Black Knights
Binghamton is committing the second-most turnovers per possession on offense in games played away from home while playing at a very slow pace, ranking 295th in possessions per game. Neither team is generating turnovers on defense, with Binghamton ranking 353rd and Army 330th in turnovers per possession forced, and only 12 teams are scoring fewer points per possession at home than Army.
Picks: Binghamton +7.5 and Under 143.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Binghamton +4.5, Total 137.5)
1:00 PM Eastern
Bellarmine Knights vs. Kentucky Wildcats
Bellarmine’s defense has been one of the most ravaged in the country, ranking 345th in points per possession allowed, and despite their issues, Kentucky has taken care of the ball, ranking 39th in fewest turnovers per possession and 41st in points per possession. Bellarmine is 140th in points per possession thanks to their work inside, ranking 19th in 2-point shooting percentage.
Pick: Bellarmine vs. Kentucky Over 152.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Total 155.5)
2:00 PM Eastern
Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Central Florida Knights
Both teams have dialed back their tempos from a season ago, with Florida Atlantic ranking 190th in possessions per game and Central Florida 112th. Florida Atlantic ranks 75th in 3-point shooting percentage at 36.4% but has major home-road splits, shooting 42.3% at home compared to 31.6% away. Central Florida ranks ninth nationally in 3-point shooting at 40.4% but takes only 35.3% of its shots from beyond the arc, which ranks 272nd nationally.
Pick: Florida Atlantic vs. Central Florida Under 162.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Total 161)
Grambling Tigers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Grambling has been respectable defensively given their non-conference slate, ranking 202nd in points per possession allowed, and their games feature many dead possessions as they rank 18th in turnovers per possession forced away from home and 348th in turnovers per possession on offense. They also play at a slower pace, ranking 238th in possessions per game, while Ohio State is not generating many second chances, ranking 177th in offensive rebound percentage.
Pick: Grambling vs. Ohio State Under 151.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Total 145)
3:00 PM Eastern
Lindenwood Lions vs. Missouri State Bears
Lindenwood is playing at one of the fastest paces in the country, ranking 20th in possessions per game, and faces a Missouri State team that values possessions at home, ranking 72nd in fewest turnovers per possession and 100th in home 2-point shooting percentage. Lindenwood ranks just 275th in points per possession but is 135th in offensive rebound percentage and faces a Missouri State defense ranking 266th in points per possession allowed and 310th in defensive rebound percentage.
Picks: Missouri State -2.5 and Over 144.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Missouri State -3.5, Total 147.5)
4:00 PM Eastern
UC Riverside Highlanders vs. UCLA Bruins
UCLA is getting back to what has worked under Mick Cronin, playing slowly and generating turnovers, ranking 271st in possessions per game and 45th in turnovers per possession forced. They face a UC Riverside team that ranks 321st in turnovers per possession. UCLA’s 40.3% 3-point shooting, which ranks 11th nationally, should see regression, while they are holding opponents to just 28.4% shooting from beyond the arc at home.
Pick: UC Riverside vs. UCLA Under 152 (Greg’s Handicap: Total 145.5)
5:00 PM Eastern
Idaho Vandals vs. CS Bakersfield Roadrunners
CS Bakersfield has struggled to generate clean possessions, ranking 334th in turnovers per possession. Despite emphasizing interior scoring with the 14th-highest 2-point rate in the country, the Roadrunners rank 318th in overall 2-point shooting percentage, dropping to 335th at home. Idaho should limit second chances, ranking 19th in defensive rebound percentage.
Picks: Idaho -4 and Under 151.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Idaho -5.5, Total 149.5)
6:00 PM Eastern
Morgan State Bears vs. Loyola Marymount Lions
Both teams are mid-tempo, with Morgan State ranking 209th in possessions per game and Loyola Marymount 192nd. Morgan State has struggled defensively, ranking 349th in points per possession allowed, while Loyola Marymount ranks 40th but has had interior scoring issues, ranking 192nd in 2-point shooting percentage and 275th in home offensive rebound percentage.
Pick: Morgan State vs. Loyola Marymount Under 147.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Total 146.5)
Harvard Crimson vs. St. John’s Red Storm
Harvard is one of the slowest teams in the country, ranking 357th in possessions per game, while St. John’s is one of the fastest at 26th but still plays strong defense, ranking 37th in points per possession allowed, improving to 29th at home. St. John’s should generate extra possessions, ranking 39th in offensive rebound percentage, while Harvard ranks 269th.
Pick: St. John’s -24.5 (Greg’s Handicap: St. John’s -25.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Villanova Wildcats vs. Seton Hall Pirates
Seton Hall’s combination of slow play and elite defense allows them to control games, ranking 310th in possessions per game and 13th in points per possession allowed while forcing turnovers at the eighth-highest rate in the country. Villanova also plays slowly, ranking 324th in possessions per game, but perimeter defense has been a major weakness, allowing opponents to shoot 38.5% from 3-point range, ranking 342nd nationally.
Picks: Seton Hall -2.5 and Over 129.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Seton Hall -6, Total 137)
