The Georgia State Panthers (22-10, 13-6 SBC) challenge the Georgia Southern Eagles (21-11, 12-7 SBC) in the Sun Belt Conference Tourney at Lakefront Arena. The game starts at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 10, 2018, and will air on ESPN 3.
Georgia Southern Eagles vs. Georgia State Panthers Free Prediction
In the Eagles’ last contest, they topped the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks, 63-55. The Eagles made 19 of their 26 free throws (73.1 percent) and held the Warhawks to an effective field goal percentage of 0.383 (below their season average of 0.517). Georgia Southern was lifted by Tookie Brown, who was the game’s high scorer with 13 points on 3-for-10 shooting.
The Panthers had no trouble getting past the Troy Trojans in their last outing, 73-51. Georgia State’s 0.570 effective field goal percentage was their biggest strength over Troy, who had a rate of 0.367. The Panthers’ mark was above their season average of 0.541, while the Trojans’ was below their season average of 0.519. With 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Georgia State’s D’Marcus Simonds had a solid performance.
Ball security could play a key role in this meeting. Georgia State commits the 41st-fewest miscues in the NCAA (turnover percentage of 16.4 percent), while the pesky defense of Georgia Southern forces the 58th-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 20.9 percent).
The two teams have split their two matchups this season. The Eagles won the most recent matchup 85-80. The Eagles had a much better free throw rate (0.472 vs. 0.279) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.566 vs. 0.516). Brown was the game’s top overall scorer with 23 points.
Georgia Southern Eagles vs. Georgia State Panthers ATS Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Georgia Southern, ATS Winner – Georgia Southern, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Georgia Southern ranks 82nd in three-pointers attempted per game (23.8) while Georgia State ranks 294th in three-pointers allowed per game (25.8).
The Eagles average 38.1 rebounds per game, which ranks 50th in the NCAA. The Panthers rank 227th in rebounds allowed per game (36.9).
Georgia State ranks 34th in blocks per game (4.7) while Georgia Southern ranks 165th in blocks allowed per game (3.8).
The Panthers rank 155th in assists per game (13.4) while the Eagles rank 275th (10.3).
Georgia State ranks 46th in steals per game (7.3) while Georgia Southern ranks fifth in steals allowed per game (4.3).
Bettings Trends:
The Eagles’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.0, down from 6.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Panthers have scored an average of 78.2 points per game (2.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 69.6 points per game (2.1 above their season average).
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