College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Tuesday, December 9.
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6:30 PM Eastern
Clemson Tigers vs. BYU Cougars
Clemson is a slower-tempo team, ranking 246th in possessions per game, but they’ve already proven they can score with high-powered offenses, dropping 84 on Alabama and 97 on Georgia. They also rank 47th in points per possession allowed on defense and are scoring more efficiently than BYU. BYU ranks 33rd in points per possession nationally, while Clemson is 19th.
Pick: Clemson +7.5 (Greg’s Handicap Clemson +2.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Brown Bears vs. Providence Friars
Both teams play at very different tempos, with Brown ranking 311th in possessions per game and Providence at 21st. Brown is one of the stronger mid-major defenses, ranking 68th in points per possession allowed compared to 298th on offense. The Bears are also 296th in turnovers per possession on offense but should get more clean possessions against a Providence defense that ranks 259th in turnovers forced per possession.
Picks: Brown +16.5 and Under 148.5 (Greg’s Handicap Brown +13.5 and Total 145.5)
South Dakota State Coyotes vs. Ball State Cardinals
Ball State prefers a slow style, ranking 330th in possessions per game, and has struggled offensively at 323rd in points per possession. They face a South Dakota State team with big road struggles, ranking 310th in points per possession away from home. Ball State’s pressure defense could also be a major factor—they rank ninth nationally in turnovers forced per possession in home games.
Pick: Ball State +6.5 (Greg’s Handicap Ball State +3.5)
Bucknell Bison vs. Rider Broncs
Rider is struggling across the board, ranking 363rd in points per possession on offense and 329th in points per possession allowed on defense. Bucknell has dealt with defensive issues as well, ranking 320th in points per possession allowed, but they should control the perimeter. Rider ranks 353rd in turnovers per possession on offense and 361st in turnovers generated on defense.
Pick: Bucknell -1 (Greg’s Handicap Bucknell -7)
Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks vs. Virginia Cavaliers
Maryland Eastern Shore has been brutal offensively, ranking 361st in points per possession, but they sit a respectable 208th in defensive efficiency. They should get plenty of clean possessions against a Virginia team that ranks 276th in turnovers forced per possession. Virginia’s biggest strength—3-point shooting at 39.8% (18th nationally)—may regress against a UMES defense that ranks 82nd in opponent 3-point percentage at 30.5%.
Picks: Maryland Eastern Shore +35 and Under 134 (Greg’s Handicap Maryland Eastern Shore +30 and Total 130)
NC Central Eagles vs. Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky’s offense looked rough against Gonzaga last week, but the Wildcats still rank 55th in points per possession. They should find success against an NC Central defense that ranks 348th in points per possession allowed and 350th in defensive rebound percentage, allowing opponents to grab 37.7% of their misses as offensive rebounds.
Pick: Over 148.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 152.5)
Howard Bison vs. North Carolina A&T Aggies
North Carolina A&T has major perimeter issues, ranking 272nd in 3-point shooting percentage overall and just 25% at home against Division I opponents. They’re also 333rd in turnovers per possession on offense. Howard should limit second-chance points, ranking 23rd in road defensive rebound percentage, allowing opponents to collect only 22.8% of their missed shots.
Pick: Howard +4.5 (Greg’s Handicap Howard -3.5)
9:00 PM Eastern
Dartmouth Big Green vs. Colorado State Rams
Dartmouth does well limiting second chances, ranking 98th in defensive rebound percentage with opponents grabbing just 26% of their misses. Colorado State plays extremely slowly—357th in possessions per game—but leads the nation in points per possession on offense. Still, their current 45.9% 3-point shooting may be due for regression, as the highest team 3-point percentage in the past 13 seasons was UC Davis at 44.1% in 2014–15.
Pick: Under 157.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 149.5)
South Dakota Coyotes vs. Wyoming Cowboys
Both teams play fast—South Dakota ranks 24th in possessions per game and Wyoming 83rd. South Dakota is 200th in points per possession allowed while Wyoming ranks 40th. The Cowboys are thriving on the interior, ranking 66th in offensive rebound percentage and 66th in points per possession overall.
Picks: Wyoming -12 and Over 156.5 (Greg’s Handicap Wyoming -16 and Total 162)
Florida Gators vs. Connecticut Huskies
Florida has struggled from deep, shooting just 27.4% (343rd), but they are second nationally in offensive rebound percentage, grabbing 43% of their misses. They also play fast, ranking 32nd in possessions per game. UConn plays much slower at 302nd in tempo but ranks 43rd in points per possession and protects the ball well, ranking 28th in turnovers per possession.
Pick: Over 145.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 149.5)
