College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Saturday, January 24.
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11:00 AM Eastern
Mercer Bears vs. Wofford Terriers
Mercer is the nation’s top cover team at 15–2 against the spread and should keep it going against a Wofford team that has been a mess defensively, ranking 357th in home opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 41.4%. Offensively, Wofford is also struggling, ranking 290th in 3-point shooting percentage at home at 31.1%. Mercer’s interior defense has stepped up away from home, ranking 87th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage in road or neutral games, and this game may not be played at a fast tempo with Wofford ranking 220th in total possessions per game and a tip time before noon Eastern.
Pick: Mercer -1 and Under 162.5 (Greg’s Handicap Mercer -5.5 and Total 155.5)
12:00 PM Eastern
UNC Wilmington Seahawks vs. Hampton Pirates
UNC Wilmington is one of the most balanced teams in the nation, ranking 53rd in points per possession on offense away from home and 43rd overall in points per possession allowed on defense. That defensive efficiency is driven by elite rebounding, as the Seahawks rank sixth nationally in rebound percentage away from home. Hampton is solid inside, but still only ranks 129th in rebound percentage and is at a major offensive disadvantage, ranking 277th in points per possession and 352nd in 3-point shooting percentage at 28.2%. Wilmington also forces opponents to take 44% of their shots from 3-point range, the 58th-highest rate in the country.
Pick: UNC Wilmington -3.5 (Greg’s Handicap UNC Wilmington -8)
Clemson Tigers vs. Georgia Tech Yellowjackets
Georgia Tech plays at a fast tempo, ranking 47th in possessions per game, but they are inefficient offensively, ranking 246th in points per possession. Clemson is defense-first and will look to slow this game down, ranking 304th in possessions per game and 26th in points per possession allowed. Georgia Tech ranks 45th in points per possession allowed on defense, and neither team excels on the offensive glass, with Georgia Tech 198th and Clemson 166th in offensive rebound percentage.
Pick: Clemson vs. Georgia Tech Under 145.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 138.5)
Hofstra Pride vs. William & Mary Tribe
Hofstra hangs its hat on interior defense, ranking 10th nationally in opponent 2-point shooting percentage away from home, and should slow down a William & Mary offense that ranks 15th in total possessions per game and 33rd in 2-point shooting percentage. This game should feature plenty of turnovers, as William & Mary ranks 20th in turnovers per possession on defense but 241st offensively. Hofstra also shoots it well from deep, making 38.1% of its 3-point attempts, which ranks 21st in the country.
Pick: Hofstra +2.5 and Under 158.5 (Greg’s Handicap Hofstra -4 and Total 156)
Niagara Purple Eagles vs. Sacred Heart Pioneers
Niagara has struggled across the board, ranking 293rd in points per possession allowed on defense and 337th in points per possession on offense, while also sitting 357th in rebound percentage. Sacred Heart has not been great defensively inside either, ranking 304th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage, but Niagara cannot capitalize, ranking 289th in 2-point shooting percentage and shooting just 29.2% from three away from home. Sacred Heart also gets a boost with top rebounder Anquan Hill back from injury, having scored at least 12 points in all five games since returning.
Pick: Sacred Heart -9 and Under 142.5 (Greg’s Handicap Sacred Heart -12.5 and Total 134.5)
1:00 PM Eastern
UMass Lowell River Hawks vs. UMBC Retrievers
UMBC has done a good job generating quality looks from deep, ranking 83rd in 3-point shooting percentage at 35.6%. UMass Lowell has struggled to take care of the ball, ranking 333rd in turnovers per possession on offense, while UMBC ranks 113th. Lowell has also had issues on both ends of the floor, ranking 294th in points per possession on offense and 307th in points per possession allowed on defense.
Pick: UMBC -3 (Greg’s Handicap UMBC -8)
2:00 PM Eastern
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Arizona Wildcats
Arizona plays at an uptempo pace, ranking 44th in possessions per game, but the Wildcats limit opponents efficiently, ranking ninth in points per possession allowed. West Virginia is also strong defensively, ranking 20th in points per possession allowed, and excels at slowing games down, ranking 352nd in total possessions per game. This matchup should feature few second-chance opportunities, as West Virginia ranks 44th in defensive rebound percentage and Arizona is eighth, allowing opponents to grab just 22.6% of their missed shots as offensive rebounds.
Pick: West Virginia +18 (Greg’s Handicap West Virginia +14.5)
Yale Bulldogs vs. Pennsylvania Quakers
Yale ranks fifth in the country in points per possession in road or neutral games, and its 41.4% 3-point shooting leads the nation. Pennsylvania also shoots it well from deep, ranking seventh nationally at 39.8%, but struggles badly inside, ranking 331st in 2-point shooting percentage on offense and 301st defensively. Yale ranks 61st in 2-point shooting percentage away from home and should have an edge inside.
Pick: Yale vs. Pennsylvania Over 158.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 161.5)
Miami Hurricanes vs. Syracuse Orange
Syracuse’s offense has improved since getting top scorer Donnie Freeman back from injury, but the team’s identity is still defense, ranking 29th in points per possession allowed compared to 163rd offensively. Miami plays at a faster tempo, ranking 104th in possessions per game, and has been even better defensively, ranking 18th in points per possession allowed. The Hurricanes limit second and third chances, ranking 34th in defensive rebound percentage, and generate turnovers at a high rate, ranking 40th. Syracuse also ranks 362nd nationally in free throw shooting percentage at 63.6%.
Pick: Miami vs. Syracuse Under 150.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 146)
2:30 PM Eastern
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles vs. SIU Edwardsville Cougars
SIU Edwardsville has been strong defensively, ranking 48th in points per possession allowed, with interior defense as a key strength, ranking 34th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage. Tennessee Tech struggles to space the floor, ranking 342nd in 3-point shooting percentage at 29.2% and 262nd in offensive rebound percentage, limiting clean looks. Defensively, Tennessee Tech ranks 144th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage but shows extreme home-road splits, ranking 13th at home and 259th away.
Pick: Tennessee Tech vs. SIU Edwardsville Under 135.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 133.5)
3:00 PM Eastern
St. Peter’s Peacocks vs. Merrimack Warriors
Merrimack is at a massive disadvantage on the glass, ranking 364th out of 365 Division I teams in rebound percentage. Merrimack’s usual strength is forcing turnovers, but that edge is neutralized here as St. Peter’s ranks 21st nationally in turnovers forced per possession on defense while Merrimack ranks 63rd. St. Peter’s physical style also leads to free throws, and in pressure spots the Peacocks shoot 76.8% at the line away from home compared to Merrimack’s 72.4% at home.
Pick: St. Peter’s +3 and Under 133.5 (Greg’s Handicap St. Peter’s -1.5 and Total 129.5)
Central Florida Knights vs. Colorado Buffaloes
Central Florida is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the country, ranking 37th at 36.9%, and should exploit a Colorado defense that ranks 262nd in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. UCF also has a clear edge on the glass, ranking 24th in rebound percentage compared to Colorado’s 114th. This game should be played at a faster pace, with UCF ranking 72nd and Colorado 117th in possessions per game.
Pick: Central Florida +2.5 and Over 158.5 (Greg’s Handicap Central Florida -2 and Total 162)
6:00 PM Eastern
TCU Horned Frogs vs. Baylor Bears
TCU’s strength is defense, ranking 28th in points per possession allowed and 39th in turnovers forced per possession. Baylor has seen a noticeable drop in offensive production since conference play began, averaging just 67.8 points per game. That includes a 69–63 loss to TCU earlier this month, and Baylor’s tempo has dropped by more than three-and-a-half possessions per game in Big 12 play compared to non-conference games.
Pick: TCU +4 and Under 151.5 (Greg’s Handicap TCU +1 and Total 147)
10:00 PM Eastern
Santa Clara Broncos vs. San Diego Toreros
Both teams play at a moderate tempo, with Santa Clara ranking 149th and San Diego 163rd in possessions per game. Santa Clara’s outside shooting has dipped, ranking 217th in 3-point shooting percentage at 33.2%. This game should feature plenty of dead possessions, as San Diego ranks 37th nationally in turnovers forced per possession while Santa Clara ranks 19th. Santa Clara is also solid defensively overall, ranking 65th in points per possession allowed.
Pick: Santa Clara vs. San Diego Under 164.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 153)
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Arizona State Sun Devils
Arizona State ranks just 130th in points per possession on offense overall, but has been far less efficient at home than on the road. The Sun Devils rank 38th in points per possession away from home on 38.5% 3-point shooting, but that shooting drops to 28.1% at home, with Arizona State ranking 265th in points per possession in home games. They face a Cincinnati defense that ranks 11th in points per possession allowed, though the Bearcats have allowed 20.2 more points per 100 possessions away from home. Cincinnati has also struggled offensively, ranking 261st in points per possession and 339th in road 2-point shooting percentage.
Pick: Arizona State +3.5 and Under 150.5 (Greg’s Handicap Arizona State -2.5 and Total 146.5)
