The FIU Golden Panthers (14-17, 8-10 CUSA) clash against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles (14-17, 7-11 CUSA) in the Conference USA Conference Tourney at Ford Center at The Star. The game begins at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 7, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 140 points with FIU set as a 1-point favorite.
Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. FIU Golden Panthers ATS Prediction
The Golden Eagles will be hoping for similar success after defeating the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in their last game, 72-64. Southern Miss’ effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Louisiana Tech. The Golden Eagles had a rate of 0.604 (above their season average of 0.507), while the Bulldogs posted a mark of 0.432 (below their season average of 0.528). Southern Miss was lifted by Tyree Griffin, who contributed 15 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.
The last time the Golden Panthers played, they got blown out by the Old Dominion Monarchs, 79-53. Old Dominion launched 20 three pointers, making nine of them (45.0 percent). FIU, meanwhile, was just 2-22 (9.1 percent). FIU’s Eric Lockett had a solid game, leading the team in scoring with 15 points on 7-for-15 shooting.
Based on historical performance heading into this one, ball protection could play a key role in this battle. FIU commits the 27th-fewest miscues in the nation (turnover percentage of 15.8 percent), while the pesky defense of Southern Miss forces the 59th-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 20.9 percent).
Southern Miss holds records of 14-17 straight up (SU) and 13-13 against the spread (ATS). Of the Golden Eagles’ 26 games with betting action, 15 have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, FIU is 14-17 SU and 14-9-2 ATS. Golden Panthers games have finished over the O/U total 45.8 percent of the time.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Brian Beard Jr. scored a game-high 23 points in the first matchup, in which the Golden Panthers beat the Golden Eagles 76-70, covering as 2-point favorites. He also put up seven rebounds and seven assists. The game finished with a total of 146 points, which was 6 points above the projected point total of 140 points. The Golden Panthers had a much better free throw rate (0.396 vs. 0.066) and had a better turnover percentage (11.6 vs. 14.3).
Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs. FIU Golden Panthers Betting Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – FIU, ATS Winner – FIU, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
FIU ranks 117th in rebounds per game (36.0) while Southern Miss ranks 279th (30.4).
The Golden Eagles rank 85th in assists per game (14.7) while the Golden Panthers rank 245th (11.8).
Southern Miss ranks 28th in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while FIU ranks 136th (3.5).
The Golden Panthers rank 173rd in three pointers allowed per game (22.2) while the Golden Eagles rank 281st (25.2).
FIU ranks 31st in steals per game (7.6) while Southern Miss ranks 65th (7.0).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Southern Miss is 1-4 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
FIU is 1-4 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push over their last five games.
The Golden Eagles’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 11.4, up from 1.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Golden Panthers have scored an average of 70.0 points per game (0.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 74.2 points per game (2.9 above their season average).
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