College Basketball Picks Today:
Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Monday, February 24.
Check out Greg’s Daily College Basketball Lines and his Coast 2 Coast Hoops Podcast. Also, check out our College Basketball Betting Splits.
7:00 PM Eastern
North Carolina vs. Florida State
North Carolina has struggled on defense, ranking 177th in points per possession allowed. They give up 12.9 more points per 100 possessions on the road than at home. Florida State, on the other hand, ranks 36th in the country in turnovers forced per possession at home. Additionally, North Carolina’s 3-point shooting percentage drops to 32.5% in away games.
Pick: Florida State +2.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Florida State -2.5)
Northwestern State vs. Southeastern Louisiana
Southeastern Louisiana will capitalize on a Northwestern State defense that ranks 316th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage and 291st in defensive rebounding percentage. Southeastern Louisiana is 93rd in turnovers forced per possession on defense, while Northwestern State ranks 329th in points per possession on offense in road games.
Pick: Southeastern Louisiana -4.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Southeastern Louisiana -9.5)
North Florida vs. Florida Gulf Coast
North Florida’s 3-point shooting percentage drops from 37% at home to 33% on the road, which is significant given that 55.1% of their field goal attempts come from beyond the arc—the highest percentage in the country. Florida Gulf Coast plays a slow, controlled game, ranking 327th in total possessions per game. They should have plenty of second-chance opportunities against a North Florida team that allows opponents to rebound 36.5% of their missed shots in road games, ranking 357th nationally.
Picks: Florida Gulf Coast -6.5 and Under 160.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Florida Gulf Coast -10 and Total 156)
7:30 PM Eastern
NC Central vs. Delaware State
NC Central ranks 12th in the country in turnovers forced per possession on the road and 61st in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. Delaware State is strong defensively at home, ranking 66th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage (30.1%), but struggles offensively, ranking 254th in points per possession.
Pick: Under 155.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 147.5)
8:00 PM Eastern
Michigan vs. Nebraska
Nebraska is at a disadvantage on the glass, ranking 203rd in rebounding percentage compared to Michigan’s 39th ranking. Nebraska also lacks the ability to fully exploit Michigan’s primary weakness—turnovers—since Michigan ranks 339th in turnovers per possession on offense, while Nebraska ranks only 107th in turnovers forced per possession. Defensively, Nebraska ranks 188th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage, while Michigan is 60th.
Pick: Michigan +1.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Michigan -4.5)
Arkansas Pine Bluff vs. Texas Southern
Arkansas Pine Bluff allows the second-most points per possession in road games of any team in the country. They play at one of the fastest paces in college basketball, ranking 14th in total possessions per game, while Texas Southern also plays fast, ranking 25th.
Pick: Over 151.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 156)
Stephen F. Austin vs. Houston Christian
Stephen F. Austin ranks 354th in points per possession, shooting just 25.4% from 3-point range away from home (360th in the nation) and struggling from the free-throw line at 61.7% (361st). Houston Christian is a disciplined team, ranking 23rd in fewest fouls committed per possession.
Picks: Houston Christian +1.5 and Under 134.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Houston Christian -4 and Total 130)
Howard vs. Coppin State
Coppin State’s top rebounder, Julius Ellerbe, was limited to just seven minutes in their last game, which could be a major issue for an offense already ranking 363rd in points per possession. While Howard ranks 351st in turnovers committed per possession, they are 12th in the country in 3-point shooting percentage at 38.6%.
Picks: Howard -8.5 and Under 150.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Howard -12.5 and Total 148.5)
8:30 PM Eastern
Mississippi Valley State vs. Prairie View A&M
Mississippi Valley State is currently averaging 9.1 fewer points per 100 possessions than the next-least efficient offense in the nation. Prairie View, meanwhile, has scored 70 points or fewer in eight of its last 10 games, ranking 316th in points per possession. Prairie View also plays at a slower pace in conference games than in non-conference play.
Pick: Under 140.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 136.5)
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