College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Tuesday, November 11.
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 to get your hands on this year’s College Basketball Betting Guide.
6:30 PM Eastern
Appalachian State Mountaineers vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State currently ranks third in the country in scoring with 106 points per game, but that number is heavily skewed after opening the season against an IU Indy team playing at one of the most frantic paces ever seen in college basketball. They now face an Appalachian State team that is slow and defense-oriented, ranking 355th in total possessions per game last season. The Mountaineers are coming off a 76–54 win over NC Central on Sunday.
Picks: Appalachian State +25.5 and Under 148.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Appalachian State +16.5 and Total 142.5)
Navy Midshipmen vs. Penn State Nittany Lions
Navy got drilled 97–68 against Yale over the weekend but should fare better against a Penn State team that barely survived its lone home game, a 76–68 win over Fairfield. The Nittany Lions are looking to replace their top four scorers and primary point guard, Ace Baldwin, from last season. Meanwhile, Navy returns over 90% of its minutes from a season ago — the highest percentage in the nation.
Picks: Navy +12.5 and Under 155 (Greg’s Handicap: Navy +6.5 and Total 148.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Pennsylvania Quakers vs. Providence Friars
Providence’s early-season numbers are a bit skewed after their game against Virginia Tech went to overtime. The Friars ranked 244th in total possessions per game last season, and while Fran McCaffery’s Iowa teams played fast and scored efficiently — ranking top 33 in points per possession each of the past eight seasons — this roster lacks that same level of athleticism. Providence should control the glass, having ranked 75th in defensive rebound percentage last season, led by big man Oswin Erhunmwunse, who averaged 2.1 blocks per game in Big East play as a freshman.
Pick: Under 171.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 157.5)
Florida State Seminoles vs. Florida Gators
Florida’s offense may not be as prolific as it was early last season while breaking in a new backcourt with Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee joining via the transfer portal. Through two games, the Gators have committed 29 turnovers, though they return their rotation of forwards from a team that ranked seventh nationally in rebound percentage last season. That frontcourt strength should slow down a Florida State team led by new coach Luke Loucks, formerly an NBA assistant, whose squad has scored 209 points through two games — albeit against overmatched Alcorn State and Alabama State teams.
Pick: Under 179.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 169.5)
Central Connecticut Blue Devils vs. Boston College Eagles
Boston College’s offensive numbers are inflated by their overtime game against Florida Atlantic. While Central Connecticut lost key production from last season, they were elite defensively — ranking 25th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage and seventh in points per possession allowed. Boston College, meanwhile, lost three of its top four scorers from last season.
Picks: Central Connecticut +20.5 and Under 144 (Greg’s Handicap: Central Connecticut +13.5 and Total 139.5)
Morehead State Eagles vs. Clemson Tigers
These were two of the slowest-tempo teams in the country last season — Clemson ranked 288th and Morehead State 337th in possessions per game. While Clemson’s 2–0 start (185–97 combined margin) is impressive, both opponents ranked 300th or worse in defensive efficiency last season. Morehead State, by contrast, was 197th in that category and 16th in defensive rebound percentage, allowing opponents to grab just 22.9% of their missed shots.
Picks: Morehead State +30.5 and Under 146.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Morehead State +23.5 and Total 135.5)
Wagner Seahawks vs. Fordham Rams
Fordham had a rough start to the Mike Magpayo era with a 72–61 home loss to NJIT and now faces a Wagner team built on defense. Wagner ranked 357th in offensive efficiency but was 88th defensively, and their games featured the third-fewest possessions per game in the country last season.
Pick: Under 138 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 128.5)
Georgia Southern Screaming Eagles vs. Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
Florida Gulf Coast has played at a slow tempo with strong defense since Pat Chambers took over, ranking 320th or lower in possessions per game each of the past two seasons and 55th in rebound percentage last year. Georgia Southern should improve offensively with much of last year’s backcourt returning but still struggles with turnovers — ranking 294th in turnover rate last season. Meanwhile, FGCU currently leads the nation in offensive turnover percentage entering Tuesday’s action.
Pick: Florida Gulf Coast -1.5 and Under 160 (Greg’s Handicap: Florida Gulf Coast -7 and Total 149)
8:00 PM Eastern
Arkansas State Red Wolves vs. Missouri State Bears
Missouri State has yet to face a Division I opponent this season and brings back several players from a team that ranked 236th in defensive efficiency and 345th in offensive turnover rate last year. That could be a problem against a Ryan Pannone-coached Arkansas State squad — Pannone was an assistant at Alabama last season — featuring Stephen F. Austin’s top scorer Kyle Hayman, who thrived in a system that ranked 41st nationally in defensive turnover rate.
Pick: Arkansas State Moneyline (Greg’s Handicap: Arkansas State -4.5)
Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Pine Bluff appears to be shifting styles after ranking 20th in possessions per game and 363rd in offensive efficiency last season. They now sit 275th in pace, bolstered by Abilene Christian transfer Quion Williams, who led the country in turnovers forced per possession last season. Oklahoma, coached by Porter Moser, has never ranked higher than 125th in pace during his tenure at Loyola Chicago or Oklahoma.
Pick: Under 167.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 155.5)
8:30 PM Eastern
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
Both Texas Tech and Illinois have cruised through their early-season schedules and feature elite forwards — JT Toppin for Texas Tech and Tomislav Ivišić for Illinois. However, Ivišić missed the team’s most recent game against Florida Gulf Coast. He was Illinois’ top rebounder last season and also their best 3-point shooter at 35.7%, on a team that ranked just 305th nationally at 31.3% from deep.
Picks: Texas Tech +3.5 and Under 164 (Greg’s Handicap: Texas Tech +1.5 and Total 159.5)
9:00 PM Eastern
Delaware Blue Hens vs. BYU Cougars
Delaware has yet to record a win since joining Conference USA, losing 71–62 to non–Division I Delaware Wilmington over the weekend. The Blue Hens, who ranked 21st nationally in 3-point shooting at 37.7% last season, are struggling to replace six of their top seven scorers. BYU’s offense — powered by freshman AJ Dybantsa — gets the headlines, but the defense has been stellar, allowing just 119 total points through two games.
Pick: Under 163 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 158)
10:00 PM Eastern
Creighton Blue Jays vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs
Gonzaga’s defense often flies under the radar, but they entered the weekend 17th nationally in defensive efficiency — the same ranking they finished with last season. Creighton, now without Ryan Kalkbrenner, brought in Iowa starters Josh Dix and Owen Freeman for instant chemistry. The Blue Jays also appear to be deeper this season, with nine players logging at least 14 minutes in their season-opening win over South Dakota.
Picks: Creighton +10.5 and Under 167 (Greg’s Handicap: Creighton +6.5 and Total 162.5)
Ohio Bobcats vs. St. Mary’s Gaels
Ohio looks improved defensively from a season ago when they ranked 349th in opponent 3-point percentage and 202nd in defensive efficiency. They recently held Illinois State to just 68 points and will face a major rebounding challenge from a St. Mary’s team that led the nation in rebound percentage last season and ranked 357th in tempo. The Gaels bring back a veteran backcourt, including point guard Jackson Paveletzke, now in his second year with the program.
Picks: Ohio +18.5 and Under 144.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Ohio +12.5 and Total 140.5)
