The Georgia Southern Eagles (8-5) will try to prolong their five-game winning streak against the Texas State Bobcats (11-2) at Strahan Coliseum. The game is scheduled to get underway at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 3, 2019.
Georgia Southern Eagles at Texas State Bobcats Betting Prediction
In the Eagles’ last matchup, they blew out the Carver College Cougars, 139-51. The Eagles had a much better turnover percentage (8.3 vs. 29.9) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (45.9 vs. 14.9). Georgia Southern received a boost from Quan Jackson, who was the game’s high scorer with 25 points on 11-for-16 shooting.
The Bobcats were victorious over the Air Force Falcons in their last matchup, 67-57. Texas State’s turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Air Force. The Bobcats had a rate of 14.5, while the Falcons posted a mark of 24.4. Nijal Pearson was the game’s high scorer with 21 points on 9-for-15 shooting from the field.
This has potential to be a sloppy game for the Texas State offense. Texas State ranks 263rd in the nation in ball protection (turnover percentage of 20.2 percent), while the disruptive defense of Georgia Southern forces the 41st-most turnovers in the NCAA (22.7 percent). This contest should be a showdown of conflicting paces. The fast-paced Eagles rank seventh in possessions per game, while the more methodical Bobcats rank 327th.
Ike Smith and Tookie Brown have played at a high level over the last five games for Georgia Southern. Smith has averaged 0 points per game. Not to be outdone, Brown has put up 0 points a game during that span.
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Eagles won the last matchup 81-77. The Eagles had a much better turnover percentage (9.0 vs. 18.9) and had a much better free throw rate (0.294 vs. 0.167).
Georgia Southern Eagles vs. Texas State Bobcats Odds Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Texas State, ATS Winner – Texas State, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Texas State ranks 34th in rebounds allowed per game (30.6) while Georgia Southern ranks 160th (36.3).
The Bobcats rank 78th in assists per game (17.5) while the Eagles rank 193rd in assists allowed per game (15.6).
Georgia Southern ranks 38th in steals per game (8.1) while Texas State ranks 127th (8.0).
The Eagles average 4.2 blocks per game, which ranks 59th in the country. The Bobcats rank 125th in blocks allowed per game (3.2).
Bettings Trends:
The Eagles’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 24.0, up from 9.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bobcats have scored an average of 73.8 points per game (3.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 55.2 points per game (4.6 below their season average).
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