The Southeastern Louisiana Lions (22-10, 16-3 SthLnd) square off against the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (27-6, 16-4 SthLnd) in the Southland Conference Tourney at Leonard E. Merrell Center. The game can be seen on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 10, 2018.
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks vs. Southeastern Louisiana Lions Betting Prediction
In the Lumberjacks’ last game, they beat the Nicholls Colonels, 78-66. The Lumberjacks held the Colonels to an effective field goal percentage of 0.347 (below their season average of 0.543) and had a free throw rate of 0.580 (above their season average of 0.276). TJ Holyfield played a pivotal role for Stephen F. Austin with 11 points, 11 rebounds and eight blocks.
The Lions were victorious over the Sam Houston State Bearkats in their last contest, 89-79. Southeastern Louisiana made good use of their 35 trips to the charity stripe, making 28 of them (80.0 percent). Sam Houston State, on the other hand, was 17-21 (81.0 percent). Marlain Veal was the game’s leading scorer with 29 points on 6-for-12 shooting.
This has potential to be a mistake-prone game for the offense of Southeastern Louisiana. Southeastern Louisiana ranks 276th in the nation in ball protection (turnover percentage of 20.1 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Stephen F. Austin forces the most turnovers in the NCAA (27.5 percent). Furthermore, the Lumberjacks, who rank 32nd in offensive rebounding percentage (34.2 percent), will square off against the Lions, who rank 318th in defensive rebounding percentage (67.7 percent).
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Veal scored a game-high 27 points in the first game, in which the Lions defeated the Lumberjacks 73-62. He also recorded 10 rebounds and six assists. The Lions knocked down 26 of their 37 free throws (70.3 percent) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.588 vs. 0.472).
Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks vs. Southeastern Louisiana Lions Odds Pick
Free Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Southeastern Louisiana, ATS Winner – Southeastern Louisiana, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Southeastern Louisiana ranks 77th in steals per game (6.8) while Stephen F. Austin ranks 215th in steals allowed per game (7.6).
The Lumberjacks rank 34th in rebounds allowed per game (32.0) while the Lions rank 165th (35.2).
Southeastern Louisiana ranks 20th in assists allowed per game (10.8) while Stephen F. Austin ranks 103rd (12.7).
The Lions rank 176th in three pointers attempted per game (21.0) while the Lumberjacks rank 244th (18.8).
Stephen F. Austin ranks 152nd in blocks per game (3.1) while Southeastern Louisiana ranks 160th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
Bettings Trends:
The Lumberjacks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.2, down from 13.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Lions have scored an average of 76.0 points per game (2.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 63.2 points per game (5.8 below their season average).
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