College Basketball Picks Today: Greg Peterson’s Best Bets for Friday, February 13 (CBB)

Expert handicapper Greg Peterson releases a compact Friday card for Friday, February 13, 2026 (ET), focusing on low‑tempo mid‑major battles, Ivy League shootouts and a handful of player prop angles worth scanning before tipoff. Below are Peterson’s top plays, the handicapped totals he published and the reasoning that underpins each selection.

Niagara vs. Manhattan — Big total in a slow‑tempo clash

At first glance this is a slow game: Niagara ranks among the slowest teams nationally in possessions per game and in points per possession. But Manhattan’s defense has struggled to prevent points per possession, creating an environment where a tactical underdog can light up the scoreboard. Niagara’s home 3‑point mark (nearly 40%) versus a much lower away clip suggests location matters here. Peterson backs the Over 137. 5 with a handicapped total of 141. 5, banking on a handful of made threes and a slightly faster pace than some metrics suggest.

Mount St. Mary’s vs. Rider — Mount’s interior defense tilts the spread

Rider has had trouble generating points all season, sitting near the bottom of Division I in possessions and scoring efficiency. Mount St. Mary’s has shown the opposite strength inside, ranking among the nation’s better defenses on opponent 2‑point attempts, even while turning the ball over frequently. That mismatch on the interior and Rider’s lack of perimeter production make Mount St. Mary’s an appealing lean. Peterson’s plays: Mount St. Mary’s -4. 5 and the Under 141. 5, with his internal handicap placing Mount St. Mary’s closer to a -7 favorite and the total nearer 133.

Ivy League spotlights — Columbia edges Penn; Cornell‑Princeton over

Ivy League math favors two distinct storylines: in the Columbia vs. Penn game, both teams heat up from deep but Columbia’s elite road rebounding and cleaner free‑throw touch away from home give it a late edge. Peterson lists Columbia +3. 5 as the play, noting his personal handicap puts Columbia slightly favored. Meanwhile, Cornell’s uptempo road offense and prolific 3‑point shooting make the Cornell‑Princeton game ripe for points. Cornell ranks among the nation’s most active offenses on the road, and Peterson’s recommendation is the Over 156. 5 (handicapped total 160), expecting a shootout.

Quinnipiac vs. Siena — Pace favors the under

Siena’s season has been defined by slow possessions and stingy defensive results in terms of points allowed. Quinnipiac is no offensive juggernaut but defends well inside and both teams force turnovers at a respectable clip. Those ingredients typically produce fewer clean looks and a lower final score. Peterson’s pick: Under 144. 5, with his handicapped total leaning even lower at 139.

Weekend context and prop angles to monitor

Friday’s card sits ahead of a weekend slate that features several high‑profile conference clashes and games with upset potential. The recent stretch of the season has seen multiple top teams lose in conference play, underscoring volatility that can ripple into lines and props through Saturday and Sunday. For bettors who like player props, keep an eye on two archetypal matchups highlighted by handicappers this week: a high‑usage guard at Alabama who has been trending toward a 20‑point plus rebound combined number, and a 7’3" center for Michigan who is consistently producing double‑digit scoring lines against teams without size. Both are the kind of props that respond to matchup specifics and pace — factors already woven into Peterson’s Friday recommendations.

For Friday, the actionable checklist: monitor late scratches and lineup news in the mid‑day window, watch for any movement on the totals for the Ivy shootouts, and consider correlated plays (player props tied to game totals) in the higher‑variance over/under contests. Peterson’s card is tilted toward late‑season margins and matchup edges rather than chalk—an angle that rewards attention to in‑game tempo and rebound leverage.

Betting notes: stakes should reflect both the thin margins in mid‑major lines and the speed at which totals move on late injury or rotation updates. Play responsibly and prioritize matchups over narrative.