Coppin State Eagles vs. Bradley Braves 6:00 PM Eastern
While Coppin State does return some pieces from a season ago, they were one of the worst teams in the sport in most categories ranking 348th in field goal shooting percentage, 362nd in points per possession, and 337th in defensive rebound percentage with 33.1% of opponents missed shots becoming an offensive rebound while Bradley is in transition with much of last season's roster departing, but should see a positive spike to their current 28.7% 3-point shooting with Trevon Payton coming off of a season in which he had 10 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and a steal game on 47.1% 3-point shooting.
Bradley -7.5 and Over 135.5 (Greg's Handicap Bradley -22.5 and Total 146.5)
Mercer Bears vs. West Virginia Mountaineers 7:00 PM Eastern
The West Virginia defense has been stout to begin the season, allowing a combined 99 points in the first two games after last season the team was involved in loads of slogs with ranking 11th in points per possession allowed at home on defense while playing at a slow pace as they were 337th in total possessions per game. Mercer was solid with their interior defense last season, ranking 84th in opponent 2-point shooting percentage in games played away from home last season and returns much of last season's frontcourt.
Picks: Mercer +27.5 and Under 152.5 (Greg's Handicap Mercer +21.5 and Total 141.5)
Maryland Eastern Shore Eagles vs. Rhode Island Rams. 7:00 PM Eastern
The Rhode Island Rams are off to a strong start, but are usually a slow tempo team as last season they ranked 292nd in total possessions per game while Maryland Eastern Shore was 323rd while having one of the least efficient offenses in the nation, ranking 356th in points per possession on offense. While bringing back much of last season's guards seems to be helping Rhode Island on offense, the team was just 254th in points per possession on offense and 318th in 3-pint shooting percentage at 31.1% and 354th at home at 28% while also being 47th in points per possession allowed on defense.
Picks: Maryland Eastern Shore +25.5 and Under 146.5 (Greg's Handicap Maryland Eastern Shore +22 and Total 136)
Loyola Marymount Lions vs. South Alabama Jaguars 8:00 PM Eastern
South Alabama has one of the most insane defensive styles you will see as the team allowed opponents to take 64.6% of their field goal attempts from 3-point range, the highest rate ever recorded and face a Loyola Marymount team that should see their current 3-point shooting percentage of 31.1% tick up. Additionally if this game is close, South Alabama was 357th in free throw shooting percentage last season at 65.5% and that does not look much improved thus far as in their Division I games they are shooting only 66.7% at the charity stripe.
Picks: Loyola Marymount Moneyline (Greg's Handicap Loyola Marymount -5.5)
West Florida Argonauts vs. Alabama A&M Bulldogs 8:00 PM Eastern
In their first ever game as a Division I program, West Florida was a respectable looking team in an 85-75 loss to Florida International and as a Division II program last season, the team won 25 games with 85 points per game on 38.6% 3-point shooting. Alabama A&M was just 272nd in opponent 3-point shooting percentage last season and may not be able to take advantage of West Florida not having the season of most other Division I teams as they were only 321st in 2-point shooting percentage last season.
Picks: West Florida +8.5 and Over 148.5 (Greg's Handicap West Florida +4 and Total 150)
Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Texas A&M Aggies 8:00 PM Eastern
These two teams will look to run as Oklahoma State was ninth in the nation in total possessions per game while Texas A&M was 16th, but the amount of dead possessions might cost you an over as Texas A&M leads the country in 23 turnovers per game generated on defense after being 82nd in turnovers per possession on defense last season while Oklahoma State looks improved on defense from past season with a 91-60 win over Incarnate Word and a 118-68 victory over an uptempo Queens NC team.
Picks: Oklahoma State +7.5 and Under 179.5 (Greg's Handicap Oklahoma State +5.5 amd Total 169.5)
