The Sam Houston State Bearkats (18-13, 12-6 SthLnd) take on the New Orleans Privateers (15-15, 12-7 SthLnd) in the Southland Conference Tourney at Leonard E. Merrell Center. The game starts at 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 8, 2018, and will air on ESPN 3.
New Orleans Privateers vs. Sam Houston State Bearkats Free Prediction
The last time the Privateers played, they defeated the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders, 83-76. New Orleans’ 35.7 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest advantage over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, who had a rate of 22.2. The Privateers’ mark was above their season average of 34.0, while the Islanders’ was below their season average of 29.9. With 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting, Damion Rosser was New Orleans’ leading scorer.
The Bearkats lost to the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks in their last contest, 65-53. Stephen F. Austin’s 0.491 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Sam Houston State, who had a rate of 0.330. The Lumberjacks’ mark was below their season average of 0.553, while the Bearkats’ was below their season average of 0.489. With 13 points on 6-for-13 shooting, Christopher Galbreath Jr. led Sam Houston State in scoring.
This has potential to be an error-filled game for the offense of Sam Houston State. Sam Houston State ranks 254th in the nation in ball protection (turnover percentage of 19.6 percent), while the disruptive defense of New Orleans forces the 15th-most turnovers in the nation (22.8 percent). Furthermore, the Privateers’ 277th-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 101.5) will face a tough test against the Bearkats’ 42nd-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 98.5).
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Makur Puou led both teams with 20 points in the first game, in which the Privateers lost 57-54. The Bearkats’ turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over the Privateers. Sam Houston State had a rate of 18.8, while New Orleans posted a mark of 24.6.
New Orleans Privateers vs. Sam Houston State Bearkats Free Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – New Orleans, ATS Winner – New Orleans, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
New Orleans ranks 20th in three pointers allowed per game (18.3) while Sam Houston State ranks 219th (23.3).
The Bearkats rank 36th in steals allowed per game (5.2) while the Privateers rank 222nd (7.4).
New Orleans ranks 110th in blocks per game (3.5) while Sam Houston State ranks 233rd (1.8).
The Privateers rank 42nd in rebounds allowed per game (32.2) while the Bearkats rank 128th (34.3).
Sam Houston State ranks 93rd in assists per game (14.6) while New Orleans ranks 178th in assists allowed per game (13.9).
Bettings Trends:
The Privateers have outscored opponents by an average of 0.4 points in their last five games. For the season, New Orleans has been defeated by an average of 0.1 points.
During their last five games, the Bearkats have scored an average of 67.6 points per game (2.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 71.6 points per game (4.0 above their season average).
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