College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Tuesday, January 20.
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
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Ohio State has excelled offensively inside, ranking fourth in home 2-point shooting percentage, while Minnesota has some of the nation’s biggest home and road splits on defense, ranking 15th in points per possession allowed at home and 357th in a road or neutral court setting. Ohio State has also done a strong job defending the perimeter, ranking 33rd in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 29.9%.
Pick: Ohio State -7.5 (Greg’s Handicap Ohio State -12.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Miami OH RedHawks vs. Kent State Golden Flashes
Silently, Miami OH has yet to lose a game this season and has been one of the best perimeter shooting teams in the country, ranking fourth in 3-point shooting percentage away from home at 42.3%. Kent State ranks 340th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage overall, with that number rising to 39.1% at home. Miami OH has also been solid defensively, ranking 52nd in points per possession allowed away from home, while Kent State has struggled to keep possessions clean, ranking 265th in turnovers per possession.
Picks: Miami OH -1 and Under 172.5 (Greg’s Handicap Miami OH -3.5 and Total 165.5)
Saint Louis Billikens vs. Duquesne Dukes
Saint Louis has been one of the most well-rounded teams in the country, ranking fifth in points per possession on offense and 10th in points per possession allowed on defense. They face a Duquesne team that has cranked up the tempo, ranking 32nd in possessions per game, but it has come at the expense of clean possessions, as Duquesne ranks 313th in turnovers per possession at home.
Pick: Saint Louis -10.5 (Greg’s Handicap Saint Louis -14)
Central Florida Knights vs. Iowa State Cyclones
While Iowa State has dropped back-to-back games, their defense has remained stout, ranking eighth in points per possession allowed and fifth in turnovers generated per possession. Central Florida has been elite at home at limiting second-chance opportunities, ranking second in the country in defensive rebound percentage with opponents rebounding just 15.8% of missed shots. That neutralizes a Central Florida offense that ranks 23rd nationally in offensive rebound percentage.
Pick: Central Florida vs. Iowa State Under 156.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 149.5)
Bowling Green Falcons vs. Western Michigan Broncos
Bowling Green has been excellent at limiting scoring chances, ranking 21st in turnovers per possession forced on defense and 76th in defensive rebound percentage away from home. Western Michigan has struggled to protect the ball, ranking 247th in turnovers per possession and 183rd overall in points per possession allowed.
Pick: Bowling Green vs. Western Michigan Under 155.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 149.5)
Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. St. Bonaventure Bonnies
St. Bonaventure’s defense has taken a step back, ranking 212th in points per possession allowed, but this sets up as a low-possession game against a Loyola Chicago team that ranks 328th in possessions per game. Loyola Chicago has struggled offensively away from home, ranking 305th in points per possession, while also losing the turnover battle, ranking 274th in offensive turnovers per possession and 344th in turnovers forced on defense.
Picks: St. Bonaventure -11.5 and Under 148.5 (Greg’s Handicap St. Bonaventure -15.5 and Total 143.5)
8:30 PM Eastern
Boise State Broncos vs. Wyoming Cowboys
Boise State continues to be strong on the defensive glass, ranking 19th nationally in defensive rebound percentage, but the offense has struggled inside, ranking 263rd in 2-point shooting percentage. Wyoming ranks 65th in points per possession and should be able to exploit a Boise State defense that is vulnerable inside, ranking 213th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage.
Picks: Wyoming +1.5 and Under 147.5 (Greg’s Handicap Wyoming -5 and Total 143)
9:00 PM Eastern
SMU Mustangs vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
SMU has struggled defensively, ranking 110th in points per possession allowed and giving up 15.2 more points per 100 possessions away from home than at home. Wake Forest has excelled at generating turnovers, ranking 13th in turnovers per possession, and has been strong on the perimeter, ranking 31st in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. SMU has also struggled from deep away from home, shooting just 30.2% compared to 38.4% at home.
Pick: Wake Forest +1.5 (Greg’s Handicap Wake Forest -3)
Michigan State Spartans vs. Oregon Ducks
Michigan State leads the nation in defensive rebound percentage, allowing opponents to grab just 18.5% of missed shots as offensive rebounds, and also leads the country in fewest points per possession allowed away from home. Oregon will likely be without Jackson Shelstad and Nate Bittle again, and while they battled Michigan over the weekend, their turnover issues remain, ranking 256th in turnovers per possession. Michigan State is only 206th in turnovers forced, which helps limit the damage.
Picks: Oregon +10.5 and Under 140.5 (Greg’s Handicap Oregon +8.5 and Total 134.5)
10:00 PM Eastern
San Jose State Spartans vs. Nevada Wolf Pack
San Jose State has struggled defensively, ranking 321st in points per possession allowed, while Nevada ranks 224th in that category at home. Nevada’s offense has taken care of the ball well, ranking 23rd in turnovers per possession, and San Jose State games often feature plenty of 3-point looks, as the Spartans rank 101st in 3-point shooting percentage and 314th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage, helping a Nevada offense that ranks 327th in 2-point shooting percentage.
Picks: San Jose State +18.5 and Over 142.5 (Greg’s Handicap San Jose State +12.5 and Total 148.5)
11:00 PM Eastern
Kansas Jayhawks vs. Colorado Buffaloes
Kansas has been strong defensively, ranking 29th in points per possession allowed and seventh in opponent 3-point shooting percentage away from home at 27.7%. Offensively, Kansas has struggled, ranking 95th in points per possession, while also playing at a slower pace, ranking 211th in possessions per game and 237th in offensive rebound percentage.
Pick: Kansas vs. Colorado Under 156.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 151.5)
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels vs. Utah State Aggies
Utah State has been one of the most efficient offenses in the country, ranking 23rd in points per possession, and should get plenty of scoring chances against a UNLV team playing at the 51st-fastest tempo in the country. Both teams should generate second-chance points, with Utah State ranking 210th in defensive rebound percentage and UNLV ranking 348th in defensive rebound percentage away from home.
Pick: UNLV vs. Utah State Over 156.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 161.5)
