College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Wednesday, November 12.
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7:00 PM Eastern
Fort Wayne Mastodons vs. Western Michigan Broncos
Western Michigan is without its top five scorers from a season ago and did not address its 3-point shooting woes in the transfer portal after ranking 361st nationally in 3-point shooting percentage and 242nd in points per possession last season. The Broncos face a Fort Wayne team that prioritizes winning the turnover battle, ranking 15th nationally in fewest turnovers per possession on offense and 35th in turnovers forced per possession on defense last season.
Pick: Fort Wayne -1 (Greg’s Handicap: Fort Wayne -5.5)
Coppin State Eagles vs. South Florida Bulls
While South Florida coach Bryan Hodgson’s teams like to play fast, his Arkansas State squad last season ranked 35th in points per possession allowed on defense. The Bulls face a Coppin State team that doesn’t have a single player averaging at least 10 points per game this season and ranked 363rd out of 364 Division I teams in points per possession last year.
Pick: Under 171 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 149.5)
North Florida Ospreys vs. Tennessee Volunteers
North Florida made a coaching change in the offseason from Matthew Driscoll to Bobby Kennen, who was previously on staff. The Ospreys took 54% of their field goals from 3-point range last season — the highest rate in the country — which might be their best path against a Tennessee defense that has ranked 12th or better in points per possession allowed in each of the past five seasons. The Volunteers are breaking in a new guard rotation led by Maryland transfer Ja’Kobi Gillespie while returning much of last year’s frontcourt.
Pick: North Florida +40.5 (Greg’s Handicap: North Florida +33.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Oral Roberts Golden Eagles
Tulsa looks to have turned over a new leaf under coach Erik Konkol after an 82–65 win over Rhode Island, but they now face an in-city rival undergoing big changes. West Virginia assistant Kory Barnett takes over at Oral Roberts after helping oversee a Mountaineer program that ranked 18th in points per possession allowed on defense. Barnett’s squad features a long perimeter rotation, with five players standing 6-foot-6 or taller.
Pick: Oral Roberts +9.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Oral Roberts +2.5)
Prairie View Panthers vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys
This could be a bit of a letdown spot for Oklahoma State after a dominant win over Texas A&M on Sunday. Prairie View, meanwhile, has built its identity around generating turnovers — ranking top nine nationally in turnovers forced per possession in five of the past nine seasons. The Panthers also add guard Tai’reon Joseph, who averaged 20.5 points per game at Southern two seasons ago, to boost their offense.
Pick: Prairie View +32 (Greg’s Handicap: Prairie View +24.5)
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Missouri Tigers
Since Dennis Gates arrived at Missouri, his teams have been among the most prolific offensive units in the country, ranking sixth in points per possession last season and 112th in tempo. Minnesota appears to be emerging from its offensive doldrums after ranking 325th in possessions per game last year, as new coach Niko Medved’s team has combined for 182 points through its first two games. Medved’s Colorado State teams ranked in the top 53 in offensive efficiency each of the past two seasons.
Pick: Over 156.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 163.5)
8:30 PM Eastern
Dartmouth Big Green vs. Bryant Bulldogs
Bryant struggled offensively in its previous game, scoring just 45 points in a blowout loss to Georgia Tech. They now face a Dartmouth team returning much of a core that ramped up the tempo last season, ranking 34th in possessions per game while maintaining ball control, ranking 24th in fewest turnovers per possession. Under new coach Jamion Christian, Bryant has allowed opponents to shoot 38.5% from 3-point range and currently ranks outside the top 275 in turnovers forced per possession.
Pick: Over 149 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 155.5)
9:00 PM Eastern
UC San Diego Tritons vs. Fresno State Bulldogs
A lot has changed for UC San Diego after last season’s NCAA Tournament run, including the departure of coach Eric Olen. The Tritons stayed in-house with Clint Allard to maintain their defensive identity after ranking third nationally in points per possession allowed, fourth in turnovers forced per possession, and fifth in fewest turnovers committed on offense last season. They’ll face a Fresno State team that likes to run, ranking 18th in possessions per game.
Pick: UC San Diego Moneyline and Over 149.5 (Greg’s Handicap: UC San Diego -4.5 and Total 152.5)
Idaho Vandals vs. San Diego Toreros
San Diego opened the season with a disappointing loss to Idaho State as they continue breaking in a new guard rotation. They should find success against an Idaho team that returns much of last year’s roster, which ranked 315th in turnovers forced per possession and 344th in defensive efficiency.
Pick: San Diego -1.5 (Greg’s Handicap: San Diego -7.5)
9:30 PM Eastern
Utah Tech Trailblazers vs. Manhattan Jaspers
There’s no home-court advantage in this matchup, which will be played in Hawaii. Manhattan returns three players who averaged at least 8.5 points per game last season, though Will Sydnor remains sidelined with eligibility issues. Utah Tech, typically a 3-point–oriented team, shot just 27.8% from deep through its first games after losing five of its top six scorers from last season. The Trailblazers also struggled last year inside, ranking 293rd in 2-point shooting percentage and 291st in offensive rebound rate.
Pick: Manhattan Moneyline (Greg’s Handicap: Manhattan -5.5)
10:00 PM Eastern
Eastern Washington Eagles vs. Seattle Redhawks
After finishing last season as the worst team in the nation against the spread (7–22), Eastern Washington has been far more competitive in year two under Dan Monson, staying within single digits against both UCLA and Colorado on the road. Much of the backcourt returns, while Seattle also brings back its guard rotation from a team that ranked 277th in points per possession and 306th in 3-point shooting last season. The Redhawks should see improved shooting against an Eastern Washington defense that still has room to grow after ranking 328th in defensive efficiency a year ago.
Pick: Over 149 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 153)
11:59 PM Eastern
Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils vs. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors
Hawaii is clearly the better team against a Delta Devils squad that ranks second-to-last nationally in points per possession and has opened the season with two losses by over 40 points. However, Hawaii tends to play slow, ranking 249th in possessions per game last season. Their recent 100-point outburst against East Texas A&M was aided by an unusually high 54 free-throw attempts in a whistle-happy game; their season opener was a 60–59 defensive slog against Oregon.
Pick: Mississippi Valley State +41.5 and Under 146.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Mississippi Valley State +36.5 and Total 136.5)
