College Basketball Picks Today:

Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Saturday, February 21.

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12:00 PM Eastern

East Carolina Pirates vs. Charlotte 49ers

Charlotte is one of the slowest teams in the nation, ranking 329th in total possessions per game. East Carolina has been incapable of making shots all season, ranking 356th in three-point shooting at 28.4% and 316th in two-point shooting percentage, which drops to 358th in games played away from home. Charlotte is also squandering scoring chances due to its inability to take care of the ball, ranking 286th in turnovers per possession.

Pick: East Carolina vs. Charlotte Under 146 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 138.5)

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1:00 PM Eastern

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks

While the mystery remains as to whether Darryn Peterson will play a lot, a little, or not at all for Kansas, this is still a team that has been solid offensively even without him, ranking 92nd in the nation in points per possession. They face a Cincinnati team that has slowed down since conference play began but still plays at a moderate tempo, ranking 150th in possessions per game. While Cincinnati ranks 10th nationally in points per possession allowed overall, that drops to 91st away from home, where they allow 18.7 more points per 100 possessions than they do at home.

Picks: Kansas -10.5 and Over 136.5 (Greg’s Handicap Kansas -13.5 and Total 139.5)

North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Syracuse Orange

North Carolina will be without leading scorer Caleb Wilson and may also be without their second-leading scorer, Henri Veesaar, who is listed as questionable. That impacts an offense built around scoring inside the arc, where the team ranks 38th in two-point shooting percentage compared to 204th in three-point shooting at 33.5%, which drops to 30.8% away from home. Syracuse has struggled offensively all season, shooting 33.4% from three-point range and ranking 165th in points per possession. They are also untrustworthy late in close games, ranking 365th out of 365 Division I teams in free-throw shooting at 63.2%.

Picks: North Carolina -1.5 and Under 154.5 (Greg’s Handicap North Carolina -5.5 and Total 149.5)

Wagner Seahawks vs. St. Francis PA Red Flash

Wagner plays at a slow pace, ranking 289th in total possessions per game, and does not make the most of those possessions, ranking 283rd in turnovers per possession on offense. St. Francis ranks 73rd nationally in turnovers per possession generated on defense. Offensively, neither team finishes well inside, with St. Francis ranking 334th in two-point shooting percentage and Wagner 335th. St. Francis also struggles with ball security, ranking 288th in turnovers per possession.

Pick: Wagner vs. St. Francis PA Under 151.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 143.5)

3:00 PM Eastern

Arizona Wildcats vs. Houston Cougars

Arizona and Houston are two of the stoutest defenses in the country, with Arizona ranking sixth in points per possession allowed and Houston fourth. Arizona is also an uptempo and efficient offense, ranking 31st in total possessions per game and 20th in points per possession. The Wildcats should generate second chances against a Houston team that ranks 134th in defensive rebound percentage, allowing opponents to grab 27.5% of their missed shots as offensive rebounds. Arizona ranks third nationally by grabbing 38.9% of its own misses.

Pick: Arizona +5 (Greg’s Handicap Arizona +2)

UNLV Runnin’ Rebels vs. Air Force Falcons

Air Force has struggled to score all season, tied with Grambling for the most turnovers per possession at home and ranking 362nd out of 365 Division I teams in points per possession. The Falcons also rank 287th in possessions per game. UNLV ranks 34th in turnovers per possession away from home and 72nd in three-point shooting percentage away from home at 35.8%.

Picks: UNLV -15.5 and Under 153 (Greg’s Handicap UNLV -19.5 and Total 145.5)

4:00 PM Eastern

Maine Black Bears vs. New Hampshire Wildcats

Neither team generates much offensively, with New Hampshire ranking 348th in points per possession and Maine 360th. Maine slows games to a crawl, ranking 343rd in total possessions per game, while New Hampshire plays at a mid-tempo pace, ranking 180th. Maine also reduces scoring chances through turnovers, ranking 65th in turnovers per possession generated on defense but 328th in turnovers per possession on offense. Maine cannot be trusted in tight games, ranking 359th nationally in free-throw shooting at 64.8%.

Picks: New Hampshire -3.5 and Under 136.5 (Greg’s Handicap New Hampshire -6 and Total 131.5)

Oregon Ducks vs. USC Trojans

Oregon has dealt with numerous injuries this season and, even with leading scorer and rebounder Nate Bittle back, ranks 209th in points per possession on offense and 256th on defense. USC plays at a rapid pace, ranking 23rd in total possessions per game, and does a great job scoring with the clock stopped, ranking third nationally in free throws attempted per field goal attempt. USC’s turnover issues, ranking 230th in turnovers per possession, are mitigated by Oregon ranking 243rd in turnovers per possession generated on defense.

Picks: USC -5.5 and Over 146.5 (Greg’s Handicap USC -8.5 and Total 151.5)

UNC Wilmington Seahawks vs. Campbell Fighting Camels

UNC Wilmington has dominated the glass, ranking 26th nationally in rebound percentage, while Campbell ranks 193rd. UNC Wilmington also guards the perimeter well, allowing teams to shoot just 29.4% from three-point range, ranking 11th nationally. Campbell commits plenty of self-inflicted errors, ranking 260th in turnovers per possession.

Picks: UNC Wilmington -2.5 and Under 151.5 (Greg’s Handicap UNC Wilmington -5.5 and Total 149.5)

5:30 PM Eastern

Connecticut Huskies vs. Villanova Wildcats

Connecticut’s defense has been strong all season, ranking 19th in points per possession allowed, and should generate second chances against a Villanova team that allows opponents to grab 29.8% of missed shots as offensive rebounds, ranking 242nd nationally. Villanova scores 39% of its home points from made three-pointers, the ninth-highest percentage in the country, while Connecticut ranks 12th in opponent three-point shooting percentage away from home at 29.1%. Both teams play at a slow pace, with Connecticut ranking 256th and Villanova 272nd in possessions per game.

Picks: Connecticut -1.5 and Under 140.5 (Greg’s Handicap Connecticut -3 and Total 135)

6:00 PM Eastern

Nicholls Colonels vs. Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks

Stephen F. Austin has been one of the most dominant defensive teams in the nation, ranking 14th in points per possession allowed, and plays at a relatively slow pace, ranking 280th in total possessions per game. Nicholls ranks 198th in possessions per game and creates dead possessions, ranking 15th in turnovers per possession generated on defense, but is just 246th in points per possession on offense.

Pick: Nicholls vs. Stephen F. Austin Under 148.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 138.5)

Texas Southern Tigers vs. Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils

Everything is a struggle for Mississippi Valley State, which ranks 364th in points per possession on offense, 359th in turnovers per possession on offense, and 360th in points per possession allowed on defense, along with the worst home rebound percentage in America. Texas Southern has shot 37.2% from three-point range since SWAC play began, ranking second in the conference, though that drops to 28.8% away from home. The Tigers also rank 318th in turnovers per possession away from home and 336th in points per possession allowed on defense away from home.

Pick: Mississippi Valley State +13 (Greg’s Handicap Mississippi Valley State +9.5)

8:00 PM Eastern

Wyoming Cowboys vs. Grand Canyon Antelopes

Wyoming has had one of the biggest tempo shifts in the country since conference play began, now ranking 245th in total possessions per game after being 85th on December 25. While Wyoming ranks 80th in points per possession on offense, it scores 13.4 fewer points per 100 possessions away from home. Grand Canyon ranks 148th in points per possession on offense and 34th in points per possession allowed on defense. Wyoming shoots just 30.2% from three-point range away from home compared to 35.9% at home, while Grand Canyon ranks 30th in opponent two-point shooting percentage.

Pick: Wyoming vs. Grand Canyon Under 145.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 138.5)

Northern Arizona Lumberjacks vs. Northern Colorado Bears

Northern Colorado has done a solid job maximizing possessions, ranking 81st in points per possession, and plays at a fast pace, ranking 73rd in possessions per game. They face a Northern Arizona defense that ranks 348th in points per possession allowed overall. Northern Arizona ranks 73rd in three-point shooting percentage at 35.8%, while Northern Colorado allows opponents to shoot 34.5% from three-point range at home compared to 29.7% away from home.

Pick: Northern Arizona vs. Northern Colorado Over 148.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 153.5)

8:30 PM Eastern

Pacific Tigers vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs

While Gonzaga’s offense may not be what it has been in past seasons, it still ranks 14th nationally in points per possession and plays at a fast pace, ranking 54th in possessions per game. Pacific is at a major disadvantage in the turnover department, ranking 283rd in turnovers per possession generated on defense and 343rd in turnovers per possession committed on offense. Gonzaga ranks 19th in turnovers generated per possession on defense and 16th in fewest turnovers per possession on offense.

Picks: Gonzaga -20.5 and Over 143.5 (Greg’s Handicap Gonzaga -22.5 and Total 150.5)

10:00 PM Eastern

St. Mary’s Gaels vs. Washington State Cougars

Washington State limits second chances well, allowing opponents to grab just 24.7% of their missed shots as offensive rebounds, ranking 37th nationally. St. Mary’s has not shot the three as well away from home, making 42.1% at home compared to 31.8% on the road. However, its slow style and defense travel, ranking 302nd in total possessions per game and 16th in points per possession allowed.

Pick: St. Mary’s vs. Washington State Under 150.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 144.5)

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos vs. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors

Second chances should be limited in this game, as UC Santa Barbara allows opponents to grab just 20.9% of their missed shots as offensive rebounds away from home, ranking fourth nationally, while Hawaii ranks sixth in defensive rebound percentage at home, allowing only 19.5%. Hawaii ranks seventh nationally in points per possession allowed. Both offenses commit plenty of turnovers, with UC Santa Barbara ranking 278th and Hawaii 332nd in turnovers per possession.

Picks: Hawaii -3.5 and Under 147.5 (Greg’s Handicap Hawaii -5.5 and Total 144.5)

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