College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Wednesday, November 5.
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6:00 PM Eastern
Rider Broncos vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Prior to the arrival of Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper last season, Rutgers was always a defense-oriented, slow-tempo team and figures to get back to its roots. The Scarlet Knights have ranked 124th or worse in points per possession in 19 straight seasons, including last year. Rider, meanwhile, ranked 260th in points per possession last season and is coming off an 83–57 opening-night loss to Virginia, attempting just 12 three-point shots in that game after ranking 348th in percentage of shots coming from beyond the arc last season.
Picks: Rider +18.5 and Under 146.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Rider +16 and Total 136)
6:30 PM Eastern
Coppin State Eagles vs. La Salle Explorers
Coppin State’s 61-point showing on opening night against Maryland should be viewed as an improvement for an offense that ranked 363rd in points per possession last season. The Eagles will need to rely heavily on Khalil Horton, who scored 19 points in that game. La Salle brings in former Radford coach Darris Nichols, whose teams have traditionally played at a slower pace—ranking 353rd in possessions per game last season. The Explorers also add Justin Archer, who should dominate the boards after averaging 7.5 rebounds per game over two seasons at Radford under Nichols.
Picks: La Salle -15.5 and Under 142.5 (Greg’s Handicap: La Salle -22.5 and Total 136.5)
7:00 PM Eastern
Delaware State Hornets vs. Temple Owls
Temple struggled to find a primary facilitator last season, with no player averaging more than 2.2 assists per game, and did little to address that issue in the offseason. Delaware State brings back pass-first guard Corey Perkins, who has averaged 5.2 points and 3.2 assists per game over four seasons with the Hornets. Perkins leads a team that experienced significant roster turnover but retains a strong defensive identity, ranking 44th nationally in turnovers forced per possession last year.
Picks: Delaware State +17.5 and Under 155.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Delaware State +13 and Total 143)
Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles vs. Butler Bulldogs
Southern Indiana added Trey Thomas from Bethune-Cookman in the transfer portal after he averaged 16.2 points per game last season. He should pair well with Ismail Habib, who led Portland State in assists two years ago before injuries derailed his 2024–25 campaign. The new backcourt will have a chance to find rhythm against a Butler defense that ranked 362nd in turnovers forced per possession last season and must replace eight of its top nine scorers from a year ago.
Picks: Southern Indiana +21 and Under 155.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Southern Indiana +20 and Total 148.5)
South Dakota Coyotes vs. Creighton Bluejays
After ranking third nationally in possessions per game last season, South Dakota will likely slow things down slightly with the return of 7-footer Cameron Fens, who was injured midway through last season. Creighton begins life without Ryan Kalkbrenner down low and turns to Iowa transfers Josh Dix and Owen Freeman to boost a team that ranked 216th in possessions per game last season. The Bluejays will likely need to lean more on their bench than in recent years.
Picks: South Dakota +28.5 and Under 167 (Greg’s Handicap: South Dakota +25.5 and Total 159.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
Alabama A&M Bulldogs vs. Indiana Hoosiers
Both teams figure to play at a slower tempo under new coaching staffs. Alabama A&M hired Grambling’s Donte Jackson, whose previous team ranked 300th nationally in possessions per game. Indiana’s Darian DeVries comes from West Virginia, where his team ranked 18th in points per possession allowed last season. The return of Tucker DeVries should help the Hoosiers’ offensive system develop, but several mid-major transfers may need time to settle in.
Pick: Under 146.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Total 140.5)
Tarleton State Texans vs. LSU Tigers
A Tarleton State defense that typically thrives on forcing turnovers looked out of character on opening night against SMU, allowing 96 points while generating only 11 turnovers after ranking second nationally in turnovers forced per possession last season. The Texans did show offensive improvement with 76 points after ranking 362nd in points per possession a year ago. LSU overhauled much of its roster from a team that ranked 215th in points per possession last season and should again play fast with the addition of UNLV point guard Dedan Thomas. The Tigers have ranked 70th and 72nd in possessions per game the past two seasons.
Picks: Tarleton State +18.5 and Over 146.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Tarleton State +16.5 and Total 150.5)
9:00 PM Eastern
North Alabama Lions vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs
While North Alabama loses much of its guard play from last season, it retains big man Corneilous Williams, who averaged 9.7 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. He faces a Bulldogs team that overhauled most of its frontcourt. Mississippi State has also struggled with outside shooting under coach Chris Jans, ranking 270th or worse in three-point shooting percentage in each of the past three seasons.
Picks: North Alabama +24.5 and Under 153.5 (Greg’s Handicap: North Alabama +17.5 and Total 145.5)
10:30 PM Eastern
Eastern Washington Eagles vs. Loyola Marymount Lions
Eastern Washington looked much improved in its game against UCLA on Monday, covering the spread in an 80–74 loss after going just 7–25 against the spread last season. However, the 16 turnovers were concerning. Loyola Marymount, meanwhile, seems to be emphasizing creating more turnovers after forcing 21 in its opener against non–Division I Lincoln University. The addition of 6-foot-6 Tanner Thomas—who shot 37.7% from three last season and 48.4% two years ago at Sacred Heart—adds versatility to a lineup that returns much of a core that ranked 337th in opponent three-point percentage last season.
Picks: Loyola Marymount -7.5 and Under 156.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Loyola Marymount -11.5 and Total 147.5)
