College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Tuesday, February 24.
Check out Greg’s Daily College Basketball Lines and his Coast 2 Coast Hoops Podcast. Also, check out our College Basketball Betting Splits and become a VSiN Pro Subscriber.
6:30 PM Eastern
Miami Ohio RedHawks vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles
Miami Ohio ranks eighth nationally in points per possession on offense and seventh in road three-point shooting percentage at 40.1%. However, they do not generate second chances, rebounding just 19.9% of their missed shots as offensive rebounds away from home, which ranks 348th nationally.
Eastern Michigan ranks 177th in points per possession allowed overall, improving to 55th at home. Offensively, the Eagles rank 301st in points per possession and lost one of their three players averaging more than eight points per game, Carlos Hart, due to the FBI gambling probe in January.
Pick: Miami Ohio vs. Eastern Michigan Under 153.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 150.5)
George Washington Revolutionaries vs. La Salle Explorers
La Salle has struggled mightily on offense, ranking 336th in points per possession. Their defense has been weak inside, ranking 272nd in opponent two-point shooting percentage, and they are 200th overall in points per possession allowed.
George Washington ranks 26th in two-point shooting percentage away from home and 24th in points per possession away from home. La Salle has also struggled in the backcourt, ranking 310th in turnovers per possession and 347th in three-point shooting percentage at 29.6%.
Pick: George Washington -6 (Greg’s Handicap George Washington -10.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Duke Blue Devils vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame limits second chances, allowing opponents to rebound just 23% of their missed shots as offensive rebounds, ranking ninth in defensive rebound percentage. At home, they shoot 39.3% from three-point range, ranking 32nd nationally. This game is unlikely to feature a fast tempo, as both Notre Dame and Duke rank 255th in possessions per game.
Pick: Notre Dame +18.5 (Greg’s Handicap Notre Dame +13)
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders
With JT Toppin out for the season, Texas Tech still has plenty of shooters, ranking fifth in home three-point shooting percentage at 41% and 16th in points per possession at home. Cincinnati ranks 11th nationally in points per possession allowed overall, but that drops to 77th away from home, where they allow 18.1 more points per 100 possessions than at home. Offensively, Cincinnati ranks just 261st in points per possession.
Pick: Texas Tech -5.5 (Greg’s Handicap Texas Tech -10.5)
NC State Wolfpack vs. Virginia Cavaliers
NC State ranks third nationally in points per possession away from home and second in road three-point shooting percentage at 42.3%. They face a Virginia team that slows games down, ranking 317th in total possessions per game at home, and ranks 19th in opponent three-point shooting percentage at 30.1%, sitting 27th overall in points per possession allowed on defense.
Pick: NC State vs. Virginia Under 152.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 148.5)
Old Dominion Monarchs vs. Marshall Thundering Herd
Even with the injury to 7-foot-4 big man Matthew Van Komen, Marshall holds an edge on the glass, as Old Dominion ranks 338th in offensive rebound percentage, pulling in just 22.6% of its missed shots as offensive rebounds. Marshall ranks 100th in opponent two-point shooting percentage and shoots 40% from three-point range on offense. Old Dominion has defended the perimeter well, allowing opponents to shoot just 32.1% from three-point range, ranking 75th.
Pick: Old Dominion vs. Marshall Under 160 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 152)
Kentucky Wildcats vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina has not applied much defensive pressure, ranking 306th in turnovers forced per possession and 242nd in points per possession allowed. Kentucky ranks 97th in points per possession allowed and 57th in opponent two-point shooting percentage, which is significant with South Carolina ranking 318th in three-point shooting at 31%. South Carolina ranks 118th in points per possession on offense, while Kentucky ranks 47th.
Picks: Kentucky -5.5 and Under 150 (Greg’s Handicap Kentucky -9.5 and Total 145.5)
7:30 PM Eastern
Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles vs. Morehead State Eagles
Southern Indiana is one of the worst shooting teams in the country, ranking 350th in points per possession, 338th in three-point shooting percentage, 362nd in two-point shooting percentage, and 350th in free-throw shooting percentage. Morehead State has not shot well either, ranking 241st in two-point shooting percentage and 258th in three-point shooting percentage. Southern Indiana has been respectable defensively on the road, ranking 105th in points per possession allowed away from home.
Pick: Southern Indiana vs. Morehead State Under 141.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 136.5)
8:30 PM Eastern
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Michigan Wolverines
Michigan plays at a rapid pace, ranking 20th in possessions per game, while Minnesota ranks 353rd. Minnesota has massive home and road defensive splits, ranking 303rd in points per possession allowed away from home compared to 35th at home, allowing 22.1 more points per 100 possessions on the road. Michigan has dominated inside, ranking seventh in points per possession and second in two-point shooting percentage.
Picks: Michigan -22.5 and Over 144.5 (Greg’s Handicap Michigan -25.5 and Total 149.5)
9:00 PM Eastern
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Utah Utes
There is a massive defensive disparity in this matchup. Iowa State ranks seventh in points per possession allowed and seventh in turnovers forced per possession, while Utah ranks 291st in points per possession allowed and 340th in turnovers forced per possession. Offensively, Iowa State ranks seventh in three-point shooting percentage at 39.5% and 14th in points per possession. Utah ranks 169th in points per possession.
Picks: Iowa State -13.5 and Over 143.5 (Greg’s Handicap Iowa State -17 and Total 147)
Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Colorado State Rams
Fresno State has been sloppy offensively, ranking 290th in turnovers per possession and 233rd in points per possession. Colorado State ranks 28th in points per possession and sixth in three-point shooting percentage at 39.5%. However, Fresno State ranks 29th in opponent three-point shooting percentage defense at 30.6%. Colorado State plays at a slow pace, ranking 362nd in possessions per game.
Picks: Colorado State -8.5 and Under 146.5 (Greg’s Handicap Colorado State -10.5 and Total 140.5)
San Jose State Spartans vs. Air Force Falcons
Both teams have struggled this season. San Jose State ranks 355th in points per possession allowed and 247th in points per possession on offense. Air Force ranks 357th in points per possession allowed and 363rd in points per possession. Both teams play at a very slow tempo, with Air Force ranking 282nd and San Jose State 323rd in possessions per game.
Pick: San Jose State vs. Air Force Under 144.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 136.5)
Arizona Wildcats vs. Baylor Bears
Baylor has been far more efficient at home, ranking 61st overall in points per possession on offense but improving to 39th at home, where they score 16.1 more points per 100 possessions than on the road. Baylor can match Arizona on the glass, as Arizona ranks 17th in defensive rebound percentage while Baylor ranks 18th in offensive rebound percentage, grabbing 35.4% of its missed shots. Baylor may need to hang in a shootout, as they rank 211th in points per possession allowed on defense.
Picks: Baylor +10.5 and Over 153.5 (Greg’s Handicap Baylor +6.5 and Total 156.5)
11:00 PM Eastern
New Mexico Lobos vs. Nevada Wolf Pack
New Mexico has been elite defending the perimeter, ranking 39th in turnovers forced per possession and fourth in road three-point shooting percentage defense at 28.4%. That impacts a Nevada team that ranks 27th in three-point shooting percentage at 37.6% but just 331st in two-point shooting percentage. Nevada also plays at a slow pace, ranking 272nd in possessions per game.
Pick: New Mexico vs. Nevada Under 153 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 145)
