The Jacksonville State Gamecocks (23-12) go head-to-head against the North Texas Mean Green (17-17) in the College Basketball Invitational at The Super Pit. The game is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks at North Texas Mean Green Betting Prediction
The Gamecocks come in on a high note after blowing out the Central Arkansas Bears in their last outing, 80-59. The Gamecocks knocked down 16 of their 19 free throws (84.2 percent) and had a turnover percentage of 13.9 (better than their season average of 16.6). Jacksonville State rallied around Jacara Cross, who finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
In the Mean Green’s last matchup, they easily got past the Mercer Bears, 96-67. The Mean Green, who came into the game averaging an effective field goal percentage of 0.514, had a phenomenal mark of 0.661 and had a free throw rate of 0.305 (above their season average of 0.217). With 31 points and 11 rebounds, North Texas’ Roosevelt Smart put together a good performance.
North Texas might struggle to find the bottom of the net as they battle against one of the nation’s best defenses. Jacksonville State currently ranks 19th in defensive efficiency while the Mean Green rank 169th in offensive efficiency. Additionally, the Gamecocks are among the NCAA’s best on the offensive backboards, ranking 38th in offensive rebounding percentage (33.7 percent). The Mean Green, however, rank 52nd at grabbing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 74.5 percent.
Roosevelt Smart has averaged 20.0 points over the last five games for North Texas.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs. North Texas Mean Green Betting Pick
Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Jacksonville State, ATS Winner – Jacksonville State, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Jacksonville State averages 4.9 blocks per game, which ranks 23rd in the NCAA. North Texas ranks 203rd in blocks allowed per game (4.1).
The Mean Green rank 121st in three pointers attempted per game (22.8) while the Gamecocks rank 280th (17.9).
Jacksonville State averages 38.5 rebounds per game, which ranks 39th in the NCAA. North Texas ranks 133rd in rebounds allowed per game (34.2).
The Gamecocks rank 148th in steals per game (6.1) while the Mean Green rank 239th (4.9).
North Texas is 26th in the NCAA with 11.0 assists allowed per game while Jacksonville State is 38th with 11.4 assists allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Gamecocks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.6, down from 6.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Mean Green have scored an average of 78.8 points per game (4.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 68.4 points per game (3.1 below their season average).
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