College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Sunday, March 22.
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2:45 PM Eastern
Kentucky Wildcats vs. Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State enters this game ranked 15th in the nation in points per possession on offense and 4th in points per possession allowed on defense, but they will be shorthanded with Joshua Jefferson out due to injury. Jefferson was averaging 16.4 points, a team-high 7.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. While much of Iowa State’s turnover-generating core remains intact, with the team ranking 4th in turnovers per possession forced, they face a Kentucky offense that ranks 68th in fewest turnovers per possession and should be able to find looks inside against an Iowa State defense that ranks 121st in opponent 2-point shooting percentage.
Pick: Kentucky +5.5
Greg’s Handicap: Kentucky +2
4:30 PM Eastern
Illinois State Redbirds vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Wake Forest has struggled defensively in the low post, ranking 276th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage. They are also allowing opponents to rebound 31.7% of their missed shots as offensive rebounds (312th nationally) and rank 220th in points per possession allowed on defense overall. Illinois State has been much stronger defensively, ranking 42nd in points per possession allowed and permitting opponents to grab just 23.1% of their missed shots as offensive rebounds, which ranks 11th in the country.
Pick: Illinois State +7.5
Greg’s Handicap: Illinois State +5.5
5:15 PM Eastern
St. John’s Red Storm vs. Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas has been solid defensively, ranking 32nd in points per possession allowed, but St. John’s has been even better, ranking 9th in that category. Much of that success comes from its ability to generate turnovers, ranking 53rd in turnovers forced, while Kansas ranks just 339th in that category. St. John’s also creates second chances on offense, ranking 37th in offensive rebound percentage by grabbing 33.6% of its misses, while Kansas ranks 197th and sits 143rd overall in points per possession on offense.
Pick: St. John’s -3.5 and Under 144.5
Greg’s Handicap: St. John’s -5.5 and Total 141.5
6:30 PM Eastern
Seattle Redhawks vs. Auburn Tigers
Auburn’s offense has been one of the most efficient in the nation, ranking 33rd in points per possession, but it now faces a Seattle defense that ranks 16th in points per possession allowed and 6th in turnovers per possession forced. Auburn’s offense relies heavily on free throws, ranking 4th in free-throw attempts per possession, but Seattle may limit those opportunities as it ranks 31st in fewest free throws allowed per play in games played away from home.
Pick: Seattle +13.5 and Under 146.5
Greg’s Handicap: Seattle +8.5 and Total 142.5
7:00 PM Eastern
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane
UNLV has struggled defending the perimeter all season, ranking 303rd in opponent 3-point shooting away from home at 36.8%. Tulsa can exploit that weakness, ranking 6th in 3-point shooting percentage at 39% and 13th in points per possession on offense overall. UNLV has had issues keeping possessions clean on offense, ranking 221st in turnovers per possession, though they do generate turnovers well on defense, ranking 2nd in turnovers forced in games played away from home.
Pick: Tulsa -4.5 and Under 161.5
Greg’s Handicap: Tulsa -8.5 and Total 158.5
7:15 PM Eastern
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Florida Gators
These teams play at drastically different paces. Iowa ranks 365th out of 365 Division I teams in possessions per game, while Florida ranks 29th. Iowa will try to neutralize Florida’s advantage on the glass—where the Gators rank 1st in rebound percentage—by creating disruption around the perimeter. Iowa ranks 13th in turnovers forced, while Florida ranks 156th in turnovers per possession and 324th in 3-point shooting percentage at 30.8%. Meanwhile, Iowa ranks 26th in points per possession on offense.
Pick: Iowa +10.5 and Over 144.5
Greg’s Handicap: Iowa +8.5 and Total 146.5
7:50 PM Eastern
Utah State Aggies vs. Arizona Wildcats
Utah State has been excellent at creating ball pressure, ranking 4th in turnovers forced in games played away from home. Arizona, however, is one of the most balanced teams in the country, ranking 9th in points per possession on offense and 5th in points per possession allowed on defense. Utah State’s interior offense has been a major strength, ranking 9th in 2-point shooting percentage.
Pick: Utah State +12.5 and Under 155.5
Greg’s Handicap: Utah State +9.5 and Total 153.5
8:45 PM Eastern
UCLA Bruins vs. Connecticut Huskies
Connecticut was without both Silas Demary Jr. and Jaylin Stewart in its first-round win over Furman, and both are currently listed as questionable for this matchup. Demary leads the team with 6.2 assists per game, and his absence also showed on defense, with Furman scoring 71 points against a Connecticut team that ranks 15th in points per possession allowed and 21st in opponent 3-point shooting percentage (30.5%). UCLA could take advantage, as the Bruins rank 20th in 3-point shooting percentage at 37.9%. UCLA has struggled defensively inside, though, ranking 202nd in opponent 2-point shooting percentage.
Pick: Over 136.5
Greg’s Handicap: Total 142.5
9:00 PM Eastern
St. Joseph’s Hawks vs. California Golden Bears
St. Joseph’s prefers a slower, defense-oriented style, ranking 214th in possessions per game and 56th in points per possession allowed on defense. However, the Hawks struggle from the perimeter, ranking 326th in 3-point shooting percentage at 30.8% and 244th in points per possession overall. California plays faster, ranking 96th in possessions per game, and shoots well from deep (30th at 36.9%). However, St. Joseph’s may limit clean looks, ranking 39th in block percentage and 46th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 31.5%.
Pick: California -5.5 and Under 149.5
Greg’s Handicap: California -7 and Total 145
9:45 PM Eastern
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
In the past seven games without JT Toppin, Texas Tech has shot nearly 41.5% from 3-point range. For the season, the Red Raiders rank 3rd in 3-point shooting percentage at 39.7%. Alabama also relies heavily on the three, attempting 53.7% of its field goals from beyond the arc—the highest percentage in the nation—while playing at a rapid pace (5th in possessions per game). Defense has been shaky on both sides, with Alabama ranking 230th in points per possession allowed and Texas Tech ranking 130th.
Pick: Alabama Moneyline and Over 164.5
Greg’s Handicap: Alabama -1.5 and Total 167.5
