College Basketball Picks Today:

Expert college basketball handicapper Greg Peterson shares his top college basketball picks today for Wednesday, March 11.

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Note: More matchups and lines will come tonight and Greg may have additional plays.

12:00 PM Eastern

NC State Wolfpack vs. Pittsburgh Panthers

NC State ranks sixth in the nation in points per possession in games played away from home and sixth in three-point shooting percentage away from home at 40.1%. However, their defense has been lackluster, ranking 181st overall in points per possession allowed, which drops to 285th in games played away from home. Pittsburgh entered Tuesday ranked 200th in the country in points per possession allowed.

Pick: NC State vs. Pittsburgh Over 143.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 148.5)

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12:30 PM Eastern

La Salle Explorers vs. St. Bonaventure Bonnies

La Salle plays at a slow tempo and has been unable to execute offensively, ranking 346th in points per possession in games played away from home and 292nd in total possessions per game. St. Bonaventure ranks 260th in points per possession allowed overall on defense, but that improves to 172nd in games played away from home. They are also 22nd in three-point shooting percentage away from home at 37.6%.

Picks: St. Bonaventure -5.5 and Under 145.5 (Greg’s Handicap St. Bonaventure -7 and Total 139)

2:00 PM Eastern

Loyola Chicago Ramblers vs. Richmond Spiders

Loyola Chicago’s perimeter defense has been lacking this season, ranking 355th in turnovers per possession generated and 349th in opponent three-point shooting percentage at 37.5%. Richmond ranks fourth in three-point shooting percentage away from home at 40.9%. Loyola Chicago is also playing slowly and struggling offensively, ranking 299th in three-point shooting percentage at 31.6%, 314th in points per possession, and 309th in total possessions per game.

Pick: Richmond -4.5 (Greg’s Handicap Richmond -7)

2:30 PM Eastern

USC Trojans vs. Washington Huskies

While USC ranks 38th in the nation in total possessions per game overall, the team has slowed down recently with top scorer Chad Baker-Mazara no longer with the program. The offense was not particularly efficient to begin with, ranking 191st in points per possession. Washington ranks 100th in points per possession and faces a USC defense that ranks 14th in blocked shot percentage and 11th in opponent three-point shooting away from home at 29%.

Pick: USC vs. Washington Under 152.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 149.5)

3:00 PM Eastern

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Central Florida Knights

Cincinnati’s strength is their defense, entering Tuesday ranked 229th in points per possession on offense compared to 17th in points per possession allowed on defense. However, they allow 19.3 more points per 100 possessions away from home than at home. They face a Central Florida offense that ranks 55th in points per possession and 24th in three-point shooting percentage at 37.8%. If the game is tight, Cincinnati ranks just 325th in free throw shooting percentage at 68.1%, while Central Florida ranks 93rd at 74.8%.

Pick: Central Florida +3 (Greg’s Handicap Central Florida -1.5)

6:00 PM Eastern

Delaware State Hornets vs. Morgan State Bears

Out of 365 Division I teams, Delaware State ranks 365th in points per possession on offense. However, the defense has limited opportunities by generating turnovers, ranking 22nd in turnovers per possession. They remain vulnerable inside, ranking 317th in opponent two-point shooting percentage and 300th in free throw attempts allowed per opponent field goal attempt. They face a Morgan State offense that ranks seventh nationally in free throws attempted per possession in games played away from home.

Picks: Morgan State -2.5 and Under 143.5 (Greg’s Handicap Morgan State -7.5 and Total 139.5)

6:30 PM Eastern

Xavier Musketeers vs. Marquette Golden Eagles

Marquette’s struggles are clear, as the team ranks 246th in points per possession on offense and 224th in points per possession away from home. They are also at a major disadvantage on the glass, ranking 317th in defensive rebound percentage. Xavier limits second chances well, allowing opponents to grab just 25.7% of their missed shots as offensive rebounds (70th nationally) and maximizes possessions by ranking 19th in fewest turnovers per possession on offense.

Pick: Xavier +4.5 (Greg’s Handicap Xavier -1.5)

7:00 PM Eastern

California Golden Bears vs. Florida State Seminoles

Florida State’s defensive strength is generating turnovers, ranking 54th in turnovers generated per possession away from home and 166th overall in points per possession allowed. California ranks 30th in fewest turnovers per possession in games played away from home and 34th in three-point shooting percentage away from home at 37.2%. Florida State shoots just 32.5% from three (254th) despite attempting 50.7% of their field goals from beyond the arc, the 14th-highest rate in the nation, and they play at a fast pace, ranking 46th in possessions per game.

Picks: California +3.5 and Over 153 (Greg’s Handicap California -1 and Total 155)

Ole Miss Rebels vs. Texas Longhorns

Ole Miss has struggled on both ends, ranking 175th in points per possession on offense and 208th on defense. Their biggest issue is rebounding, ranking 276th in rebound percentage. Texas ranks 17th in rebound percentage and also 17th in points per possession on offense in road or neutral-court settings.

Pick: Texas -5.5 (Greg’s Handicap Texas -8.5)

Boston U vs. Lehigh Mountainhawks

Boston U’s calling card has been their three-point shooting, making 39.5% of their attempts, which ranks seventh nationally. However, they face a Lehigh defense that limits three-point attempts, allowing just 32.3% of opponent field goal attempts to come from beyond the arc, which ranks 12th nationally. Lehigh should also exploit a Boston U defense that ranks 308th in points per possession allowed.

Pick: Lehigh Moneyline (Greg’s Handicap Lehigh -2)

Tulane Green Wave vs. Memphis Tigers

Memphis has struggled offensively all season, ranking 267th in points per possession and 315th in turnovers per possession. Tulane ranks 261st in points per possession but does not see a drop-off away from home. Their three-point shooting improves from 30.2% at home to 34.6% on the road. Memphis allows the 36th-most free throw attempts per field goal attempt, and Tulane has the edge at the line, ranking 61st in free throw shooting percentage at 75.8%, while Memphis ranks 198th at 72.3%.

Picks: Tulane +4.5 and Under 151.5 (Greg’s Handicap Tulane +2.5 and Total 148.5)

8:30 PM Eastern

Tarleton State Texans vs. Abilene Christian Wildcats

Both teams excel at generating turnovers, with Abilene Christian ranking second in the nation in turnovers generated per possession and Tarleton State third. However, Tarleton State gets a boost on offense with Dior Johnson returning from injury. The team leads the nation in percentage of field goal attempts taken inside the three-point line, while Abilene Christian ranks 305th in two-point shooting percentage. In a game likely to feature many free throws, Tarleton State holds the edge at the line, shooting 74.3% (114th nationally) compared to Abilene Christian’s 70.4% (259th).

Picks: Tarleton State -1.5 and Over 136.5 (Greg’s Handicap Tarleton State -4.5 and Total 138.5)

9:00 PM Eastern

UC San Diego Tritons vs. Cal Poly Mustangs

Cal Poly plays at a very fast pace, ranking first in the nation in total possessions per game. Their biggest issue is ball security, ranking 347th in turnovers per possession. UC San Diego is more middle-of-the-pack in generating turnovers this season, ranking 160th in turnovers forced per possession on defense, but they have excelled inside, ranking 36th in two-point shooting percentage away from home. Both teams shoot better from three away from home than at home.

Picks: Cal Poly +5.5 and Over 158.5 (Greg’s Handicap Cal Poly +3.5 and Total 161.5)

Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Colorado State Rams

Fresno State’s strength is defending the three-point line, allowing opponents to shoot just 30.6% from beyond the arc (30th nationally). Colorado State has thrived from deep, ranking seventh in three-point shooting percentage away from home at 39.7%, but they have struggled defensively, ranking 287th in points per possession allowed. Fresno State’s turnover issues on offense (277th) are somewhat mitigated by Colorado State ranking even worse at 308th in turnovers forced.

Pick: Fresno State +7.5 (Greg’s Handicap Fresno State +4.5)

Georgetown Hoyas vs. DePaul Blue Demons

Georgetown has done a better job maximizing possessions on offense, ranking 106th in turnovers per possession, while DePaul ranks 260th. DePaul has also struggled defending the perimeter, ranking 291st in opponent three-point shooting percentage at 35.8%. If the game is close, DePaul also ranks just 289th in free throw shooting percentage at 69.3%.

Picks: Georgetown +1.5 and Over 131.5 (Greg’s Handicap Georgetown -1.5 and Total 137.5)

9:30 PM Eastern

Temple Owls vs. Florida Atlantic Owls

Both defenses have had issues this season, with Temple ranking 163rd in points per possession allowed and Florida Atlantic 125th. Florida Atlantic has struggled defending the perimeter, ranking 183rd in opponent three-point shooting percentage. Temple’s offense is built around strong perimeter decision-making, ranking 10th nationally in turnovers per possession on offense in road games. Florida Atlantic is active on the offensive glass away from home, grabbing 30.9% of their missed shots (85th nationally), and plays at an uptempo pace, ranking 64th in possessions per game.

Pick: Temple vs. Florida Atlantic Over 144.5 (Greg’s Handicapped Total 148.5)

Additions after initial post went live:

Possibly coming soon. Check back as tonight’s games go final and tomorrow’s matchups are set and lined.

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