It will be a battle between SBC opponents when the Little Rock Trojans (5-17, 2-7 SBC) welcome the Georgia Southern Eagles (15-7, 6-3 SBC) to Jack Stephens Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 1, 2018.
Georgia Southern opened as a 5.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 132 points.
Georgia Southern Eagles vs. Little Rock Trojans ATS Prediction
The last time the Eagles played, they beat the UT Arlington Mavericks, 74-59. The Eagles knocked down 17 of their 24 free throws (70.8 percent), while the Mavericks had a turnover percentage of 24.2 (above their season average of 18.1). Georgia Southern was led by Tookie Brown, who was the team’s high scorer with 23 points on 7-for-12 shooting.
The Trojans lost to the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in their last outing, 72-62. One of Coastal Carolina’s biggest strengths was getting to the free throw line. They made 29 trips to the line, while Little Rock went 15 times. With 12 points and six rebounds, Andre Jones had a solid game for Little Rock.
Little Rock might struggle to find the bottom of the net as they go head-to-head against one of the nation’s best defenses. Georgia Southern currently ranks 43rd in defensive efficiency while the Trojans rank 331st in offensive efficiency. Also, the Eagles rank 48th in offensive rebounding percentage (34.3 percent), while the Trojans rank 277th in defensive rebounding percentage (68.3 percent).
Georgia Southern is 15-7 straight up (SU), but they are just 7-9 against the spread (ATS). Vegas tends to place the total high when the Eagles are involved, as 10 of their 16 games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Little Rock is 5-17 SU and 6-7-1 ATS. Unlike Georgia Southern, Trojans games have typically gone over the total (57.1 percent).
Jones has averaged 16.4 points and 6.2 rebounds over the last five games for Little Rock.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Quan Jackson put up 14 points and the Eagles beat the Trojans 72-69 but could not cover as 12-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 141 points, which was 7 points above the projected point total of 134 points. The Eagles had a much better free throw rate (0.302 vs. 0.189) and had a better turnover percentage (9.9 vs. 11.5).
Georgia Southern Eagles vs. Little Rock Trojans Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Georgia Southern, ATS Winner – Georgia Southern, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Georgia Southern is 5-7 ATS on the road with 7 unders and 5 overs.
At home, Little Rock is 2-4 ATS with 4 overs and 2 unders.
Georgia Southern ranks 23rd in rebounds per game (39.8) while Little Rock ranks 197th (34.4).
The Eagles rank 40th in assists allowed per game (11.4) while the Trojans rank 164th (14.0).
Georgia Southern averages 23.7 three pointers per game, which ranks 93rd in the NCAA. Little Rock ranks 195th in three pointers allowed per game (23.3).
The Eagles are sixth in the nation with 4.5 steals allowed per game while the Trojans are 53rd with 5.5 steals allowed per game.
Little Rock averages 3.1 blocks per game, which ranks 129th in the NCAA. Georgia Southern ranks 131st in blocks allowed per game (3.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Georgia Southern is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Little Rock is 1-3-1 ATS with 3 overs, 1 under and 1 push over their last five games.
The Eagles’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.8, down from 8.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Trojans have scored an average of 67.6 points per game (3.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 70.2 points per game (0.9 above their season average).
