The Canisius Golden Griffins (21-11) face off against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (21-12) in the College Basketball Invitational at Koessler Athletic Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, and will air on ESPN 3.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 145 points with Canisius set as a 4.5-point favorite.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs. Canisius Golden Griffins ATS Prediction
The Gamecocks are hoping for a better outcome after their 70-63 loss to the Murray State Racers in their last matchup. Murray State’s free throw rate was their largest strength over Jacksonville State. The Racers had a rate of 0.255 (below their season average of 0.283), while the Gamecocks posted a mark of 0.097 (below their season average of 0.219). Christian Cunningham led Jacksonville State in scoring with 16 points on 7-for-10 shooting.
In the Golden Griffins’ last matchup, they lost a close one to the Quinnipiac Bobcats, 72-69. Quinnipiac’s 0.537 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Canisius, who had a rate of 0.491. The Bobcats’ mark was above their season average of 0.505, while the Golden Griffins’ was below their season average of 0.547. With 22 points on 6-for-10 shooting, Jermaine Crumpton was the top scorer from either team.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, this will be a balanced game. The sweet-shooting Canisius offense ranks 49th in the NCAA in that metric at 0.546, while the elite Jacksonville State defense is ranked 28th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.470).
Jacksonville State comes into the contest with records of 21-12 straight up (SU) and 15-12 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has typically been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of Gamecocks games, with 13 overs compared to 13 unders.
Meanwhile, Canisius is 21-11 SU and 20-9-1 ATS. Vegas tends to place the total high when the Golden Griffins are involved, as 17 of their 27 games have ended under the O/U total.
Isaiah Reese has averaged 19.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.2 steals over the last five games for Canisius.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks at Canisius Golden Griffins ATS Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Canisius, ATS Winner – Canisius, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Canisius ranks 27th in three pointers attempted per game (26.4) while Jacksonville State ranks 273rd (17.7).
The Gamecocks rank 53rd in rebounds per game (38.1) while the Golden Griffins rank 233rd (33.6).
Jacksonville State ranks 23rd in blocks per game (5.1) while Canisius ranks 170th (2.9).
The Golden Griffins rank 43rd in steals allowed per game (5.3) while the Gamecocks rank 123rd (6.2).
Canisius is 15th in the NCAA with 16.9 assists per game while Jacksonville State is 55th with 15.5 assists per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Gamecocks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.6, down from 6.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Golden Griffins have scored an average of 84.4 points per game (8.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 75.4 points per game (4.6 above their season average).
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