Free College Basketball Picks For Today, Thursday 2/20/2025

Another busy day in the CBB with a bunch of intriguing games, so make sure not to miss out on the College Basketball Picks for Thursday 2/20/2025.

Northwestern vs Ohio State Prediction 2/20/25 College Basketball Picks

Northwestern at Ohio State at 6:30 PM ET

The Northwestern Wildcats experienced defeats against both Oregon and Nebraska. Currently, the team is averaging 73.6 points per game with a shooting percentage of 44.1, while conceding an average of 70.5 points on 44.2 percent shooting. Nick Martinelli leads the team with an average of 19.8 points and 6.1 rebounds, whereas Brooks Barnhizer contributes with 17.1 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.

The Ohio State Buckeyes triumphed over Washington but faced a loss against Michigan. At present, the team averages 80 points, achieving a shooting accuracy of 47.6 percent, while allowing 72.2 points with an opponent shooting percentage of 41.6. Bruce Thornton is averaging 17.3 points along with 3.5 rebounds, and Devin Royal is contributing 14 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.

The Pick:

This season, Ohio State has recorded 10 out of its 15 wins at home, boasting a 15-11 record against the spread. In the last ten encounters between Ohio State and Northwestern, the favorite has managed to cover the spread in eight instances. While the line is notably high for this Big Ten clash, Northwestern’s performance this season has not been particularly impressive. Consequently, I am inclined to back the Buckeyes for a solid home win.

Charleston vs Northeastern Prediction 2/20/25 College Basketball Picks

Charleston at Northeastern at 7 PM ET

The Charleston Cougars achieved a win against NC A&T but were defeated by UNC Wilmington. They are currently averaging 77.6 points with a shooting percentage of 45, while their opponents score an average of 74.7 points on 44 percent shooting. Ante Brzovic stands out with an average of 18.4 points and 2.9 assists, while Deywilk Tavarez contributes 14.2 points and 3.4 rebounds to the team’s performance.

The Northeastern Huskies have emerged victorious against Campbell and Stony Brook. They are averaging 70.6 points per game with a shooting efficiency of 45.7 percent, while their opponents score an average of 69.9 points at a shooting rate of 43.8 percent. Rashad King is a key player, averaging 18.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists, while Masai Troutman contributes with averages of 13.5 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists.

The Pick:

Charleston has recorded six successive wins against Northeastern in their overall encounters. A few weeks ago, Northeastern experienced a loss to Hampton while being a six-point favorite. Charleston is recognized as a top-100 scoring team in the nation and has triumphed in six road games this season. With the opportunity to gain an extra point with the stronger team, the location of the game is not a significant factor. I will back Charleston.

UTEP vs Kennesaw State Prediction 2/20/25 College Basketball Picks

UTEP at Kennesaw State at 7 PM ET

The UTEP Miners currently hold a record of 17 wins and 8 losses for the season, following their recent defeat to Liberty, which ended with a score of 76-69. In this match, Otis Frazier III was the standout performer for UTEP, contributing 16 points and securing three rebounds, while David Terrell Jr. supported the team with 10 points and six rebounds.

The Kennesaw State Owls have a season record of 15-11 after their latest game, in which they were narrowly defeated by Sam Houston, 78-76. Frankquon Sherman led the team with 19 points and five rebounds, and Simeon Cottle added 18 points along with one rebound in the contest.

The Pick:

Kennesaw State stands at 5-2 in their last seven home encounters and is motivated to seek retribution for a 73-71 loss to UTEP that occurred earlier this season. UTEP has triumphed in two of their last three games and is shooting at a rate of 45.3% from the field this season. Despite the Miners’ decent performance on the road in conference matchups, their rebounding capabilities are lacking, which could pose a challenge against the strong offensive play of Kennesaw State. Back the Owls in their home setting.

North Alabama vs Lipscomb Prediction 2/20/25 College Basketball Picks

North Alabama at Lipscomb at 8 PM ET

The North Alabama Lions have achieved a record of 20-8 this season, following their recent victory over West Georgia, which concluded with a score of 80-62. Jacari Lane was the standout performer for North Alabama, contributing 22 points and securing three rebounds, while Taye Fields supported the team with 14 points and seven rebounds.

The Lipscomb Bisons have a season record of 19-9 after their recent loss to Eastern Kentucky, which concluded with a score of 66-57. Jacob Ognacevic led the team with an impressive performance, scoring 22 points and grabbing seven rebounds, while Gyasi Powell added 10 points and six rebounds to the team’s total.

The Pick:

Following a recent loss to Eastern Kentucky, Lipscomb holds a record of 5-1 in their last six home games. This season, the Bison have maintained a shooting percentage of 47% from the field and have recorded scores exceeding 82 points in three of their last four outings. Meanwhile, North Alabama is enjoying a six-game winning streak, consistently scoring at least 78 points in four consecutive matches. In their previous meeting, the Lions defeated Lipscomb with a score of 74-64; however, they have encountered three losses in conference play while competing away from home. While I anticipate a victory for Lipscomb, I cannot disregard the points available with North Alabama.

USC vs Maryland Prediction 2/20/25 College Basketball Picks

USC at Maryland at 8:30 PM ET

During their Saturday game against Minnesota, USC emerged from halftime with a 38-29 lead. Unfortunately, the Trojans faced a setback in the second half, being outscored 40-28, which led to a final score of 69-66 in favor of Minnesota. Chibuzo Agbo and Wesley Yates were the top scorers for USC, each netting 18 points, with Agbo also securing four rebounds and two steals, while Yates recorded three rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block. Desmond Claude also made a significant contribution, finishing with 12 points, five assists, and one rebound in 32 minutes of action.

Facing Iowa on Sunday, the Terrapins entered halftime with a 51-47 deficit. They responded effectively, launching into a dominant 54-24 run that led to a resounding 101-74 victory. Each of the five starters scored in double figures, highlighted by Ja’Kobi Gillespie’s impressive performance of 26 points, five rebounds, and seven assists. Furthermore, Derik Queen and Julian Reese both secured double-doubles, contributing 18 points and 13 rebounds and 16 points and 12 rebounds, respectively.

The Pick:

USC’s recent form has seen them lose three of their last five contests, although they did secure a victory against a highly regarded Michigan State team. On the other hand, Maryland had a rocky start in their latest game against Iowa, but they ultimately found their rhythm. The Terrapins recorded an impressive shooting percentage of 58.2 from the field, despite suffering from 15 turnovers that contributed to 27 points for the Hawkeyes. The performance of USC in their upcoming away game against Maryland is uncertain, but if conditions are favorable, the Trojans may have the opportunity to prevail.

Wichita State vs Florida Atlantic Prediction 2/20/25 College Basketball Picks

Wichita State at FAU at 9 PM ET

This season, the Wichita State Shockers have achieved a record of 15-10 after their latest triumph over Memphis, which they won in overtime with a final score of 84-79. Quincy Ballard was instrumental in the victory, scoring 19 points and grabbing seven rebounds, while Corey Washington also made a significant impact with 18 points and 15 rebounds.

The Florida Atlantic Owls have improved their season record to 15-10 after a hard-fought win against Temple, which ended with a score of 83-81. Kaleb Glenn led the team with an impressive 17 points and five rebounds, while Tre Carroll added to the team’s success with 16 points and seven rebounds.

The Pick:

This season, Florida Atlantic boasts a field goal percentage of 46.9% and has managed to score at least 83 points in four of their last five games. On the other hand, Wichita State has achieved four consecutive victories, including a notable upset against Memphis in their most recent outing. The Shockers are shooting 45% from the field this season and have held their opponents to 64 points or fewer in three of their last five games. Although Florida Atlantic is expected to emerge victorious, Wichita State’s current form indicates they could also put up a strong offensive performance. Go with Over.

Louisiana Tech vs Middle Tennessee Prediction 2/20/25 College Basketball Picks

LA Tech at Middle Tennessee at 9 PM ET

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs currently hold a record of 17 wins and 9 losses for the season, following their recent defeat to Jacksonville State, which ended with a score of 70-68. In this match, Daniel Batcho was the standout performer for Louisiana Tech, contributing 19 points and securing six rebounds, while Amaree Abram supported the effort with 16 points and two rebounds.

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders have recorded 17 victories against 8 defeats this season, following their recent win over Western Kentucky, which ended with a score of 87-77. Essam Mostafa led the team with an impressive performance, scoring 21 points and collecting 16 rebounds, while Camryn Weston added to the team’s success with 20 points and seven assists.

The Pick:

The Blue Raiders have secured wins in three of their previous four games, currently shooting at a rate of 45.6% from the field this year. In contrast, Louisiana Tech has lost three of their last four matches, with a shooting percentage of 47.2% from the field this season. The Bulldogs have recorded 68 points or fewer in four of their last five games, which raises concerns about their ability to score enough to remain competitive in this matchup. Back Middle Tennessee at home.

UC San Diego vs Cal Poly Prediction 2/20/25 College Basketball Picks

UC San Diego at Cal Poly at 10 PM ET

The UC-San Diego Tritons currently hold a record of 22 wins and 4 losses this season, placing them in second position within the Big West Conference. Recently, they achieved a decisive victory against UC Davis, winning 85-60. The Tritons have performed well against the spread, with a record of 19-5, and their over/under record stands at 12-11-1. Notably, they have excelled on the road, boasting a 9-2 record. Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones is the leading scorer for UC-San Diego this season, averaging 19.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and a team-high 3.4 assists per game, while Tyler McGhie contributes 16.8 points and 4 rebounds per game.

This season, the Cal Poly Mustangs have recorded 10 victories against 16 defeats, positioning them 9th in the Big West standings. They are coming off a narrow loss to Cal State Northridge, with a final score of 85-89. The Mustangs’ performance against the spread is 12-13, and they have a record of 16-9 in over/under betting. At home, they have secured 6 wins and 4 losses. Owen Koonce is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 17.5 points per game, along with a team-high of 5.3 rebounds. Jarred Hyder also contributes significantly, averaging 13.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and leading the team with 3.4 assists per game.

The Pick:

The UC-San Diego Tritons have triumphed in their last four matchups against Cal Poly, achieving a 3-1 record against the spread. All five of their meetings have resulted in the total points exceeding the set line. In their most recent encounter this season, the Tritons claimed a convincing 95-68 win at home, covering the spread and surpassing the point total. The Tritons are currently on fire, having won seven straight games and holding a flawless 7-0 record against the spread. Meanwhile, Cal Poly has only managed two wins in their last four home contests. The Tritons have consistently outperformed the Mustangs in recent years, including a commanding 27-point victory earlier this season. It is recommended to support the UC-San Diego Tritons and the points during their away game.

CSU Northridge vs Cal Irvine Prediction 2/20/25 College Basketball Picks

CSU Northridge at CSU Irvine at 10 PM ET

The Cal State Northridge Matadors have achieved an 18-7 record this season, placing them third in the Big West Conference. They are coming off a recent victory against Cal Poly, where they won by a score of 89-85. The Matadors have a 13-10 record against the spread and a 12-11 record in over/under betting, with a commendable 8-5 record in away games. Marcus Adams leads the team in scoring, averaging 15.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, while Scotty Washington contributes with an average of 14.8 points and 3 rebounds.

With a season record of 22-4, the UC Irvine Anteaters are currently in first place within the Big West Conference. They recently secured a 66-49 victory over Hawaii. The Anteaters have performed well against the spread, with a record of 16-9, and have a 10-15 record in over/under betting, alongside a strong home performance of 9-1. Bent Leuchten leads the team in scoring, averaging 15.8 points per game, and also tops the team with 8.8 rebounds. Devin Tillis supports the scoring effort with an average of 13.8 points and 8 rebounds per game.

The Pick:

In their last 10 matchups against Cal State Northridge, UC-Irvine has posted an impressive 9-1 record, with a 4-1 performance against the spread in their last 5 meetings. The over/under results are evenly split at 5-5 over the same span. In their most recent game this season, UC-Irvine triumphed with a score of 77-67 on the road, covering the spread while the total points scored remained under the expected amount. UC-Irvine has been in excellent form lately, achieving an 8-2 record in their last 10 contests. In contrast, Cal State Northridge has managed only a 2-3 record against the spread in their last 5 road games. The Anteaters have shown dominance over the Matadors in recent years, including a notable 10-point victory earlier this season. Back the UC-Irvine Anteaters and the points in their home game.

Pacific vs San Francisco Prediction 2/20/25 College Basketball Picks

Pacific at San Francisco at 10 PM ET

The Pacific Tigers have recorded 9 wins and 20 losses this season, placing them in the 10th position in the West Coast Conference. They recently faced a setback, losing to Oregon State with a score of 65-79. Against the spread, the Tigers have a record of 13-14, and in over/under betting, they stand at 11-16. Their performance on the road has been particularly challenging, with a record of 2-12. Elias Fisher leads the team in scoring, averaging 15.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, while Elijah Ralph contributes significantly with an average of 15.1 points and a team-high of 7.1 rebounds per game.

The San Francisco Dons currently hold a record of 21 wins and 7 losses this season, placing them third in the West Coast Conference. Recently, the Dons achieved a decisive victory against San Diego, winning 84-61. Their performance against the spread stands at 14 wins, 12 losses, and 1 push, while their over/under record is 13 wins and 14 losses. Notably, the Dons remain undefeated at home with a perfect record of 15-0. Malik Thomas is the leading scorer for San Francisco this season, averaging 19.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, while Marcus Williams contributes 14.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and a team-high 4.3 assists per game.

The Pick:

San Francisco has emerged victorious in their last seven encounters with Pacific; however, Pacific has managed to cover the spread in their last three matchups, boasting a 3-0 record in that regard. Additionally, the total points have exceeded expectations in all three of these recent meetings. In their latest clash earlier this season, San Francisco secured an 89-81 win on the road, failing to cover the spread while the game surpassed the point total. Pacific has struggled significantly in away games and is now up against a San Francisco team that is currently on a five-game winning streak against the spread. The advantageous position lies with the home team, so back the San Francisco Dons and accept the points.

Loyola Marymount vs Santa Clara Prediction 2/20/25 College Basketball Picks

Loyola Marymount at Santa Clara at 11 PM ET

With a season record of 15-12, the Loyola Marymount Lions are positioned 6th in the West Coast Conference. They are coming off a loss to Portland, with a final score of 78-89. The Lions have achieved an 11-15 record against the spread and a 12-14 record in over/under betting, and they have struggled on the road with a 3-7 record. Caleb Stone-Carrawell is the leading scorer for Loyola Marymount, averaging 13.8 points per game, while Jevon Porter contributes 12.7 points and leads the team with 7.5 rebounds per game.

The Santa Clara Broncos have compiled a season record of 17-10, currently ranking 4th in the West Coast Conference. They are coming off a loss to Saint Mary’s, where they were defeated 64-73. Against the spread, the Broncos have a record of 14-13, while their over/under record stands at 13-14. At home, they have performed well, boasting a record of 10-3. Adama Bal leads the team in scoring with an average of 13.7 points per game and also provides a team-high of 3.2 assists. Christoph Tilly supports the team with an average of 12.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

The Pick:

Santa Clara has recorded a 5-1 advantage in their last six matchups against Loyola Marymount. Conversely, Loyola Marymount has shown resilience against the spread, achieving a 3-1-1 record in their last five encounters. The total points have consistently remained under in the previous four meetings. In their latest matchup earlier this season, Loyola Marymount triumphed at home with a score of 64-57, covering the spread while the game total was also under. Recently, Santa Clara has been performing exceptionally well, going 4-0 against the spread in their last four games, while Loyola Marymount has struggled with a 1-3 record against the spread. Given Santa Clara’s recent dominance over Loyola Marymount, it is expected that they will maintain this advantage in today’s contest. Back the Santa Clara Broncos to cover.