College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Tuesday, January 27.
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.
4:00 PM Eastern
Northwestern State Demons vs. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks
Stephen F. Austin has changed their defense to generate fewer turnovers than in the past, but dominate the boards as they are 49th in defensive rebound percentage and 30th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage while checking in overall at 17th in points per possession allowed. Neither team is looking to push a fast pace with Stephen F. Austin ranking 278th in possessions per game and Northwestern State 314th, and Northwestern State is getting blasted on the boards, ranking 335th in rebound percentage.
Pick: Stephen F. Austin -14 and Under 143.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Stephen F. Austin -17.5 and Total 139.5)
6:00 PM Eastern
Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Pittsburgh Panthers
Wake Forest’s strength is perimeter defense, ranking 10th in turnovers per possession generated on defense and seventh in opponent 3-point shooting percentage away from home at 28.3% while Pittsburgh ranks 318th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at home at 38% and is 195th in 2-point shooting percentage on offense.
Pick: Wake Forest +2.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Wake Forest -2.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Central Michigan Chippewas
While Central Michigan is playing at a slow tempo, ranking 261st in possessions per game, they are giving up plenty of points, ranking 347th in points per possession allowed. Eastern Michigan ranks 137th in points per possession allowed, but allows 17 more points per 100 possessions away from home. Eastern Michigan ranks 121st nationally in road 3-point shooting percentage at 34.34% and should get open looks against a Central Michigan defense ranking 299th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage.
Pick: Eastern Michigan vs. Central Michigan Over 138.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 142)
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Michigan Wolverines
Nebraska dares opponents to shoot from 3-point range, ranking sixth in percentage of opponent field goal attempts that come from 3-point range away from home at 52.3%. Michigan ranks 189th in 3-point shooting percentage at home at 34.7%. Nebraska limits second chances, ranking sixth in road defensive rebound percentage, while ranking eighth in fewest turnovers per possession and third in points per possession away from home in a game that should feature plenty of possessions with Michigan ranking 15th in tempo.
Pick: Nebraska +10.5 and Over 153.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Nebraska +8.5 and Total 158.5)
Richmond Spiders vs. VCU Rams
Richmond will attack a VCU perimeter defense ranking 232nd in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 34.8%. Richmond is shooting 42.2% from 3-point range away from home, second in the nation, while ranking 56th in fewest turnovers per possession. VCU ranks 57th in offensive rebound percentage while Richmond ranks 119th in defensive rebound percentage and 81st in opponent 3-point shooting percentage.
Pick: Richmond +11.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Richmond +7)
8:00 PM Eastern
George Washington Revolutionaries vs. Saint Louis Billikens
Both teams push a fast tempo with Saint Louis ranking 43rd and George Washington 104th in possessions per game. Saint Louis ranks fifth nationally in points per possession while George Washington ranks 15th in points per possession away from home. George Washington has defensive issues, ranking 268th in points per possession allowed away from home and 323rd in opponent 2-point shooting percentage on the road.
Pick: George Washington vs. Saint Louis Over 166.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 172)
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Virginia Tech Hokies
Georgia Tech ranks just 259th in points per possession on offense, but plays fast at 49th in possessions per game and ranks 52nd defensively in points per possession allowed. Virginia Tech’s frontcourt ranks 183rd in rebound percentage but should improve with the return of leading rebounder Toibu Lawal.
Pick: Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Tech Under 156 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 149)
Missouri Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama ranks ninth nationally in possessions per game and 21st in points per possession on offense. Missouri ranks 55th in points per possession with strength inside at 20th in 2-point shooting percentage. Alabama ranks 255th in points per possession allowed at home and faces a Missouri defense allowing 40.1% from 3-point range away from home, ranking 355th nationally, while Alabama takes 56.4% of its home shots from beyond the arc.
Pick: Alabama -10.5 and Over 165.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Alabama -13 and Total 173)
Western Michigan Broncos vs. Northern Illinois Huskies
Western Michigan has been boosted by the return of Justice Williams, averaging 18.6 points per game on 40% 3-point shooting, with the team scoring at least 76 points in six of seven games he has played. Northern Illinois ranks 320th in defensive rebound percentage at home, 338th in 2-point shooting percentage, and 363rd in turnovers per possession on offense at home.
Pick: Western Michigan -1.5 and Over 146.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Western Michigan -4.5 and Total 152.5)
9:00 PM Eastern
Massachusetts Minutemen vs. Miami (OH) RedHawks
Miami (OH) ranks 15th nationally in 3-point shooting percentage at 37.9% but faces a Massachusetts defense ranking 14th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage away from home at 28.5%. Massachusetts ranks ninth in defensive rebound percentage, plays fast at 35th in possessions per game, and shoots 35.7% from 3-point range, while Miami (OH) ranks 228th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at home.
Pick: Massachusetts +9.5 and Over 164.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Massachusetts +7.5 and Total 167.5)
9:30 PM Eastern
Creighton Bluejays vs. Marquette Golden Eagles
Marquette ranks 231st in points per possession and 325th in 3-point shooting percentage. Creighton ranks 188th in points per possession allowed overall, improving to 89th away from home, and limits Marquette’s turnover-generation strength with Creighton ranking 90th in turnovers per possession on offense.
Pick: Creighton -1.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Creighton -7.5)
