College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Tuesday, January 13.
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6:30 PM Eastern
Villanova Wildcats vs. Providence Friars
Providence has cranked its tempo up to sixth in the nation in possessions per game, while Villanova has slowed all the way down to 329th. Villanova has struggled defensively on the perimeter, ranking 253rd in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. While Providence ranks just 239th in points per possession allowed overall, the Friars are 25th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage at home and play about five and a half fewer possessions per game at home than on the road.
Picks: Providence +2.5 and Under 159.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Providence -1, Total 153)
6:30 PM Eastern
Kent State Golden Flashes vs. Buffalo Bulls
Kent State has increased its tempo from past seasons, ranking 11th in possessions per game, while Buffalo has slowed dramatically to 310th. Buffalo has been winning games along the perimeter, ranking 19th in 3-point shooting at 38.2% and 108th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 32%. Buffalo is also getting cleaner possessions, ranking 84th in turnovers per possession, while Kent State ranks 287th overall and drops to 334th in road games. Kent State shoots 36.2% from 3-point range overall, but has massive splits, making 40.8% at home and just 29% away.
Picks: Buffalo +1.5 and Under 164.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Buffalo -3.5, Total 157.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Texas A&M Aggies vs. Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee ranks 25th in points per possession allowed on defense, improving to ninth in home games. Texas A&M plays fast, ranking 12th in possessions per game, but creates plenty of dead possessions, ranking 21st in turnovers per possession and fourth in opponent 3-point shooting percentage away from home at 25.5%. Texas A&M ranks 25th in 3-point shooting at 37.4%, but faces a Tennessee defense that is 19th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 29.1%.
Pick: Texas A&M vs. Tennessee Under 159 (Greg’s Handicap: Total 153)
7:00 PM Eastern
George Mason Patriots vs. Loyola Chicago Ramblers
Loyola Chicago has been improved with the return of guard Xavier Amos, who missed 12 games due to injury, but the Ramblers continue to struggle in the turnover battle, ranking 350th in turnovers forced per possession on defense and 256th in turnovers per possession on offense. Loyola plays at a very slow pace, ranking 334th in possessions per game. George Mason plays similarly slowly at 317th, but has been solid defensively, ranking 60th in points per possession allowed and 47th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage away from home at 30.3%.
Pick: George Mason vs. Loyola Chicago Under 142.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Total 135.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Massachusetts Minutemen vs. Western Michigan Broncos
Massachusetts is looking to push tempo, ranking 31st in possessions per game, but remains defense-oriented, ranking 85th in points per possession allowed. The Minutemen dominate the glass, ranking eighth in defensive rebound percentage, with opponents rebounding just 22% of missed shots. Western Michigan has struggled offensively, ranking 225th in points per possession and 262nd in turnovers per possession, while Massachusetts ranks 259th in turnovers per possession on offense.
Picks: Massachusetts -2.5 and Under 161.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Massachusetts -5, Total 155)
7:00 PM Eastern
Central Michigan Chippewas vs. Miami OH RedHawks
Central Michigan has struggled across the board, ranking 268th in points per possession on offense and 332nd defensively. The Chippewas are badly outmatched on the perimeter, as Miami OH ranks 15th nationally in 3-point shooting at 38.7%, while Central Michigan ranks 338th at 28.9% and 298th in 3-point shooting defense. Miami OH also limits second chances well, ranking 52nd in defensive rebound percentage, while Central Michigan ranks 334th.
Pick: Miami OH -16.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Miami OH -22)
7:30 PM Eastern
Valparaiso Beacons vs. Belmont Bruins
Belmont has been significantly improved defensively, ranking 48th in points per possession allowed and 45th in turnovers forced per possession at home, while remaining explosive offensively, ranking fourth nationally in 3-point shooting at 40.4%. Belmont plays at a brisk pace, ranking 103rd in possessions per game. Valparaiso ranks 126th in points per possession allowed, but gives up 17.3 more points per 100 possessions away from home and ranks 336th in turnovers forced per possession on the road, masking Belmont’s deficiency of ranking 313th in turnovers per possession on offense.
Picks: Belmont -10.5 and Over 148 (Greg’s Handicap: Belmont -14.5, Total 152.5)
8:30 PM Eastern
Western Illinois Leathernecks vs. Eastern Illinois Panthers
Both teams play slowly, with Western Illinois ranking 295th and Eastern Illinois 272nd in possessions per game. Defensively, both have struggled, with Eastern Illinois ranking 246th and Western Illinois 305th in points per possession allowed, along with Western Illinois ranking 325th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. Eastern Illinois gets a major boost with guard Andre Washington returning after missing seven games, as he averages 13 points per game and the Panthers score 15 more points per 100 possessions at home than on the road.
Pick: Western Illinois vs. Eastern Illinois Over 127.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Total 135.5)
9:00 PM Eastern
Colorado State Rams vs. Fresno State Bulldogs
Colorado State plays at one of the slowest paces in the nation, ranking 364th in possessions per game, but is highly efficient offensively, ranking 25th in points per possession and leading the nation in 3-point shooting at 41.2%. Fresno State looks to push tempo, ranking 126th in possessions per game, and should find scoring opportunities against a Colorado State defense ranking 283rd in points per possession allowed and 280th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage.
Pick: Colorado State vs. Fresno State Over 136.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Total 146.5)
Florida Gators vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Florida leads the nation in rebound percentage but ranks 351st in 3-point shooting at 27.9% and 211th in turnovers per possession. Oklahoma ranks third nationally in fewest turnovers per possession at home and has been strong defensively inside, ranking 32nd in opponent 2-point shooting percentage. Oklahoma is also second in the nation in points per possession, while Florida plays fast, ranking 46th in possessions per game.
Picks: Oklahoma +5.5 and Over 155.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Oklahoma -1, Total 163)
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Kansas Jayhawks
Iowa State ranks third nationally in points per possession on offense and remains elite defensively, ranking second in points per possession allowed and turnovers forced per possession. Kansas defends differently, ranking 345th in turnovers forced but sixth in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 27.9%, which should limit an Iowa State offense that ranks second in 3-point shooting at 40.8%. Kansas has slowed its pace, ranking 206th in possessions per game.
Pick: Iowa State vs. Kansas Under 147.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Total 142)
Florida State Seminoles vs. Syracuse Orange
Florida State plays fast, ranking 14th in possessions per game, but has struggled to convert, ranking 303rd in points per possession away from home. The Seminoles rely heavily on the 3-point shot, taking 54.6% of their attempts from deep on the road and making just 27.9%. Syracuse ranks 202nd in points per possession on offense but 17th defensively, and both teams generate turnovers at a high rate, leading to many empty possessions.
Pick: Florida State vs. Syracuse Under 160 (Greg’s Handicap: Total 152.5)
10:00 PM Eastern
Air Force Falcons vs. San Jose State Spartans
Air Force has struggled badly offensively, ranking 361st in points per possession away from home while playing slowly at 301st in possessions per game. San Jose State plays at a similar pace, ranking 296th, and should exploit an Air Force defense that ranks 280th in points per possession allowed and 316th in rebound percentage.
Pick: San Jose State -8.5 (Greg’s Handicap: San Jose State -14)
