College Basketball Picks Today:

Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Wednesday, December 31.

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12:00 PM Eastern

Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. NC State Wolfpack

Wake Forest is a balanced team, ranking 87th in points per possession on offense and 82nd in points per possession allowed on defense, while also ranking ninth nationally in turnovers generated per possession on defense. NC State is allowing more points per possession than Wake Forest, ranking 89th, and Wake Forest ranks 23rd in road 3-point shooting percentage defense, holding teams to just 28.2% from beyond the arc. That directly impacts an NC State offense that ranks 54th in the percentage of field goal attempts from 3-point range and 18th in 3-point shooting percentage at 39.1%.

Pick: Wake Forest +9.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Wake Forest +4.5)

Mercer Bears vs. Furman Paladins

Furman’s offense is playing at a controlled pace, ranking 244th in possessions per game, and is down from past seasons with its outside shooting, ranking 247th in 3-point shooting percentage at 31.8%. Both teams are similar in overall offensive efficiency, with Furman ranking 147th in points per possession and Mercer 161st, but the Bears have the edge on interior defense, ranking 122nd in opponent 2-point shooting percentage away from home, while Furman ranks 251st overall.

Picks: Mercer +4.5 and Under 153.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Mercer +1.5 and Total 145.5)

1:00 PM Eastern

Buffalo Bulls vs. Northern Illinois Huskies

Buffalo has been very efficient on offense, ranking 48th in points per possession, but plays at a very slow pace, ranking 338th in possessions per game. Northern Illinois ranks 214th in tempo, and its games feature plenty of dead possessions, as the Huskies rank 358th in turnovers per possession. Buffalo has also been strong defensively on the perimeter away from home, ranking 28th nationally in opponent 3-point shooting percentage at 28.6%.

Pick: Buffalo vs. Northern Illinois Under 153.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 146.5)

Loyola Maryland Greyhounds vs. American Eagles

While American still ranks 201st in possessions per game, the Eagles have slowed significantly from earlier in the season, playing nearly seven possessions per game slower over their past seven games. American continues to generate turnovers, ranking 75th in turnovers per possession, but does not create second chances, ranking 321st in the percentage of missed shots that result in an offensive rebound. Loyola Maryland ranks just 243rd in points per possession on offense.

Pick: Loyola Maryland vs. American Under 156 (Greg’s Handicapped Total: 147.5)

South Alabama Jaguars vs. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns

South Alabama is daring teams to shoot from 3-point range, with a nation-high 60.6% of opponent shots coming from beyond the arc, which is not ideal for a Louisiana offense that ranks 290th in 3-point shooting percentage at 30.5% and 351st overall in points per possession. Both teams are playing at a slow pace, with South Alabama ranking 268th in possessions per game and Louisiana 362nd.

Pick: South Alabama -2.5 (Greg’s Handicap: South Alabama -9.5)

Western Carolina Catamounts vs. Wofford Terriers

Western Carolina has had issues with ball security, ranking 333rd in turnovers per possession, but faces a Wofford defense that ranks just 303rd in turnovers generated per possession and 256th in points per possession allowed. Western Carolina has an edge on the glass at home, with opponents rebounding just 21.4% of missed shots for offensive rebounds, ranking 46th nationally, while Wofford ranks 199th in defensive rebound percentage.

Picks: Western Carolina +2.5 and Under 153.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Western Carolina -3.5 and Total 149.5)

2:00 PM Eastern

Bucknell Bison vs. Holy Cross Crusaders

Holy Cross’s current 31% 3-point shooting should see improvement after a largely intact core shot 38.6% from beyond the arc last season. The Crusaders face a Bucknell defense that has struggled mightily, ranking 301st in points per possession allowed and 359th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage. Holy Cross has also had defensive issues, ranking 323rd in points per possession allowed, but takes much better care of the ball, while Bucknell ranks 344th in turnovers per possession.

Picks: Holy Cross +1.5 and Over 137.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Holy Cross -5 and Total 141)

George Mason Patriots vs. La Salle Explorers

George Mason has been stout defensively, ranking 65th in points per possession allowed and 40th in defensive rebound percentage. Points should be at a premium given the slow pace of both teams, with George Mason ranking 290th in possessions per game and La Salle 319th. La Salle also ranks 305th in 3-point shooting percentage at 30% and 298th overall in points per possession.

Picks: George Mason -7.5 and Under 137.5 (Greg’s Handicap: George Mason -12.5 and Total 130.5)

Charleston Cougars vs. Elon Phoenix

Elon has been one of the most efficient offensive teams in the country, ranking 17th in the percentage of missed shots that result in an offensive rebound and 34th in points per possession. Charleston ranks 142nd in points per possession, though that should improve with Colby Duggan making his season debut earlier this week after an injury. Even so, Charleston ranks just 318th in 3-point shooting percentage at 29.5%, while Elon’s biggest weakness has been perimeter defense, ranking 307th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage.

Pick: Elon -2.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Elon -8)

Clemson Tigers vs. Syracuse Orange

While Syracuse’s offense has struggled, ranking 151st in points per possession and dead last among Division I teams in free throw shooting percentage at 59%, the defense has stepped up, ranking 26th in points per possession allowed. Clemson ranks 43rd defensively, but 22% of the points it allows away from home come at the free throw line, which ranks 112th nationally. Both teams play slowly, with Clemson ranking 298th and Syracuse 243rd in possessions per game.

Picks: Clemson -1.5 and Under 141.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Clemson -4.5 and Total 134.5)

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Fordham Rams vs. Dayton Flyers

Fordham is playing at a very slow pace with an emphasis on defense, ranking 358th in possessions per game and 35th in points per possession allowed. Dayton ranks sixth nationally in turnovers forced per possession on defense but has been torched from beyond the arc, allowing opponents to shoot 38.1% from 3-point range, ranking 338th. Fordham also has the edge on the glass, ranking 22nd in rebound percentage, while Dayton ranks 196th.

Picks: Fordham +17.5 and Under 138.5 (Greg’s Handicap: Fordham +11.5 and Total 131.5)

St. Bonaventure Bonnies vs. VCU Rams

Both teams have done a solid job generating turnovers, with St. Bonaventure ranking 37th in turnovers forced per possession away from home and VCU ranking 114th overall. VCU has allowed plenty of open looks from 3-point range, ranking 220th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage, while St. Bonaventure looks to slow things down, ranking 247th in possessions per game.

Picks: St. Bonaventure +11 and Under 154.5 (Greg’s Handicap: St. Bonaventure +7.5 and Total 149.5)

Radford Highlanders vs. USC Upstate Spartans

Radford has struggled to defend the 3-point arc, ranking 297th in opponent 3-point shooting percentage, and faces a USC Upstate team that is typically at a disadvantage on the glass, ranking 253rd in rebound percentage. However, the Spartans draw a favorable matchup against a Radford team that ranks 290th in rebound percentage and 339th in road 2-point shooting percentage.

Picks: USC Upstate +1.5 and Under 159.5 (Greg’s Handicap: USC Upstate -7.5 and Total 155.5)

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