Free College Basketball Picks For Today, Friday 12/20/2024

The CBB action prepares for a quite busy Saturday, so we don’t have a bunch of games today. However, we highlighted the most interesting ones, and here you can take a look at the College Basketball Picks for Friday 12/20/2024.

Houston Christian vs Texas A&M Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/20/24

Houston Christian at Texas A&M at 2 PM ET

The Houston Christian Huskies currently hold a record of 4-7 for the season, following their recent victory over ULM, which concluded with a score of 74-68. In this match, the Huskies achieved a shooting percentage of 43.5% from the field, 35.5% from beyond the arc, and 60% from the free-throw line. Julian Mackey was the standout performer for Houston Christian, contributing 32 points and securing six rebounds.

This season, the Texas A&M Aggies hold a 9-2 record after their latest triumph against Purdue, winning by a score of 70-66. During the game, the Aggies demonstrated a shooting accuracy of 44% from the field, 40.9% on three-point attempts, and 70.8% from the free-throw line. Pharrel Payne was instrumental in the victory, leading the team with 16 points and nine rebounds.

The Pick:

The Aggies have already claimed victories against Ohio State, Creighton, and Purdue this season, despite a field goal shooting percentage of 41.5%. Conversely, Houston Christian has only two wins against Division 1 opponents this year and faced a 31-point defeat to Texas earlier in the season. It is likely that the Aggies will win this contest decisively, with their defense anticipated to keep Houston Christian below 65 points. Thus, it is wise to consider Texas A&M to cover the significant spread at home.

Delaware vs Saint Peter’s Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/20/24

Delaware at Saint Peter’s at 7 PM ET

The Delaware Blue Hens triumphed over Delaware State but faced a loss against Duquesne. At present, the team averages 79.5 points, achieving a shooting accuracy of 45.8 percent, while allowing 75.1 points with an opponent shooting percentage of 41.2. John Camden is the standout player, averaging 15.1 points and 5.1 rebounds, while Erik Timko adds an average of 13.5 points and 1.6 assists.

The Saint Peter’s Peacocks suffered defeats against both Manhattan and Iona. Currently, the team is averaging 72 points per game with a shooting percentage of 42.4, while they are conceding 67 points at a shooting percentage of 40.5. Marcus Randolph leads the team with an average of 16.2 points and 3.6 rebounds, whereas Armoni Zeigler contributes 12.7 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.

The Pick:

Playing on their home court, Saint Peter’s is acknowledged as the stronger defensive team and features the top player in the game. Delaware has managed to cover the spread in five of its last six contests as an underdog; however, the spread in this instance is not significant in favor of the Peacocks. I would give a slight preference to Saint Peter’s at home, though it is important to consider that both teams might experience some rust.

Akron vs Yale Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/20/24

Akron at Yale at 7 PM ET

The Akron Zips have achieved a 6-3 record this year, following their latest game in which they were defeated by Milwaukee, 100-81. In this encounter, the Zips posted shooting statistics of 47.2% from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 45.5% from the free-throw line. Tavari Johnson emerged as the top scorer for Akron, tallying 22 points along with three assists.

The Yale Bulldogs have reached a 5-5 record this season after their recent win against Vermont, which ended with a score of 65-50. In this game, the Bulldogs recorded shooting statistics of 44.2% from the field, 40% from three-point range, and 84.6% from the free-throw line. Casey Simmons emerged as the leading scorer for Yale, finishing the game with 18 points and eight rebounds.

The Pick:

The Zips are averaging more than 85 points per game; however, they concede 75.4 points per game defensively. Yale has suffered defeats in two of their last three matches, although they demonstrated a strong performance in the second half against Vermont during their most recent victory. The Bulldogs are achieving a shooting percentage exceeding 49% from the field, yet they have permitted 84 and 100 points in their last two losses. I find both teams’ defensive capabilities lacking, which suggests a potential high-scoring game, leading me to favor the Over in this matchup.

Longwood vs North Carolina Central Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/20/24

Longwood at NC Central at 7 PM ET

Longwood faced NC Central in their latest game, where they emerged victorious with a score of 77-55. Johan Nziemi showcased his skills by scoring 13 points and grabbing five rebounds. This season, Longwood has maintained an average of 78.7 points per game, with their defense conceding 66.6 points. The team’s offense ranks 118th in the league, while their defense is rated 67th.

In their most recent match against MACU, NC Central achieved a decisive victory with a score of 112-67. Keishon Porter delivered an impressive performance, contributing 25 points and securing 10 rebounds. Throughout the season, NC Central has been averaging 79.1 points per game, while their defense allows an average of 72.5 points. Offensively, the team is positioned 106th in the league rankings, whereas their defensive performance is ranked 218th.

The Pick:

With an average of 79.1 points per game, NC Central demonstrates a strong potential for high scoring in this contest. Longwood, averaging 78.7 points per game, also shows the ability to increase their scoring output. Given the offensive capabilities of both teams, it is anticipated that the total points will exceed expectations. Thus, backing the Over is a smart choice.

Appalachian State vs North Texas Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/20/24

App State at North Texas at 8 PM ET

The Appalachian State Mountaineers are aiming to recover from their recent defeat, having lost 68-62 to Louisiana in their last game. CJ Huntley is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 14.1 points per game, along with 5.1 rebounds per game. Myles Tate follows closely with an average of 13.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, while also contributing significantly with a team-high of 4.9 assists and 2.3 steals per game, making him the only other player on the roster to score in double digits this season.

The North Texas Mean Green approach this contest with the intention of building on their recent triumph, where they secured an 83-42 win against Mississippi Valley State. Atin Wright stands out as the team’s top scorer, averaging 13.1 points per game, while Brenen Lorient follows with an average of 10.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, being the sole other player to achieve double-digit scoring for North Texas at this stage of the season.

The Pick:

I believe that conceding such a significant number of points is unwise, especially considering the slow pace at which this game is expected to unfold. North Texas often secures victories, but their definition of a comfortable win typically hovers around 8 or 9 points. I am confident that App State possesses a sufficiently competent offense to cover the spread, so I will support the Mountaineers along with the points.

St. John’s vs Providence Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/20/24

St. John’s at Providence at 8 PM ET

The St. John’s Red Storm currently hold a record of 9-2 for the season, following their recent victory over DePaul, which concluded with a score of 89-61. In this match, the Red Storm achieved a shooting percentage of 55.2% from the field, 30% from beyond the arc, and 57.1% from the free-throw line. RJ Luis Jr. was the standout performer for St. John’s, contributing 19 points and securing five rebounds.

The Providence Friars have a season record of 7-5 after suffering a 74-70 loss to St. Bonaventure in their most recent game. In this encounter, the Friars managed to shoot 35.7% from the field, 31.3% from three-point range, and 83.3% from the charity stripe. Wesley Cardet Jr. led the team with a total of 13 points and three rebounds during the match.

The Pick:

The Red Storm are performing impressively, with a field goal percentage surpassing 48% and an average of nearly 85 points scored per game this year. Meanwhile, Providence has been inconsistent, alternating between wins and losses in their last five games, and they have suffered defeats in five of their last seven outings. The Friars’ shooting percentage stands at a modest 43%, although they exhibit strong defensive capabilities. Considering my reservations about the Providence team and the unclear status of Hopkins, I am inclined to support St. John’s in this matchup on the road.

Dayton vs Cincinnati Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/20/24

Dayton at Cincinnati at 8:30 PM ET

The Dayton Flyers secured victories against both Marquette and UNLV. Currently, the team is averaging 78.8 points per game with a shooting percentage of 49.5, while conceding an average of 67.3 points at a shooting percentage of 42.4. Enoch Cheeks contributes significantly with an average of 14.7 points and 7.5 rebounds, whereas Nate Santos averages 13.8 points and 1.5 assists.

The Cincinnati Bearcats triumphed over Howard and Xavier in their recent matchups. They are presently averaging 80.4 points with a shooting accuracy of 50.3 percent, while their opponents are scoring an average of 59.7 points at a rate of 37.6 percent shooting. Simas Lukosius is contributing 16 points and 3.4 assists per game, and Jizzle James is averaging 12.3 points along with 3.8 rebounds.

The Pick:

The Dayton Flyers showcase a potent offensive strategy and continually find ways to remain competitive. Throughout this season, they have taken on the underdog mantle, resulting in a surprising triumph over UCONN and tightly contested games against North Carolina and Iowa State. Dayton is not easily defeated and possesses the capability to win this game outright. I am willing to place my trust in the points and support Dayton.

Florida A&M vs BYU Prediction College Basketball Picks 12/20/24

Florida A&M at BYU at 9 PM ET

In their most recent game against Utah on Tuesday, the Rattlers found themselves trailing 50-31 at halftime. Florida A&M was subsequently outscored 39-28 in the second half, resulting in an 89-59 defeat. Kaleb Washington, the team’s leading scorer, contributed 11 points off the bench during the loss.

During the Wyoming game last weekend, the Cougars held a 34-25 lead at halftime. In the second half, BYU continued to apply pressure, scoring an additional 34 points and ultimately winning the game 68-49. Trevin Knell was the top scorer, finishing with 15 points and a steal.

The Pick:

The Cougars achieved a comfortable victory against a mediocre Wyoming team in their most recent match, demonstrating an impressive shooting percentage of 52.2 from the field while securing a 30-25 advantage in rebounding. Although BYU did not dominate the scoring, they have consistently performed well offensively this season, surpassing 68 points in nine out of ten games. In contrast, Florida A&M struggled to compete with a strong Utah team in their last game, managing only 37.7 percent shooting and committing 18 turnovers, which resulted in 27 points for the Utes. While Florida A&M has fared reasonably well against similar opponents in their last five contests, they will find it challenging to match BYU’s performance, particularly if the Cougars play to their full potential. Go with BYU.

Oliver Zivic's Pick: Longwood at NC Central Over