The Texas State Bobcats (10-13) will try to slow down the Sun Belt’s top scoring team when they take on the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns (14-10) at Strahan Coliseum. The game gets underway at 5:30 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 20.
The Bobcats got blown out by Louisiana-Monroe 76-57 on Thursday. Emani Gant played well for the Bobcats, contributing 14 points, three rebounds, and two blocks. The Ragin’ Cajuns, meanwhile, are coming off a tough 84-83 loss at the hands of UT Arlington on Thursday. Shawn Long scored 28 points and recorded 18 rebounds earning his 19th double-double of the season.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Ragin’ Cajuns won the first game 80-54. Ojai Black was a top player in the game with 14 points, three rebounds, five assists, four steals, and one three-pointer.
The Bobcats look to improve upon their records of 10-13 Straight Up (SU) and 7-10 Against The Spread (ATS). Texas State has averaged 82.6 points per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 65.4. Texas State has been struggling of late. The Bobcats have given up an average of 69.6 points to opponents in their last 10 games, well over their defense’s season average of 64.4 PPG. The Bobcats have limited opponents’ efforts from beyond the arc, allowing 6.0 three-pointers made per game.
On the other side, the Ragin’ Cajuns head into the game with records of 9-11 ATS and 14-10 SU. Most recently, Louisiana-Lafayette is a meager 3-7 ATS over the last 10 games. During the last 10 games, they averaged 61.9 PPG, below their 81.4 PPG season average. The Ragin’ Cajuns are a force on the boards, grabbing an average of 41.5 rebounds per game. Switching gears to the Louisiana-Lafayette defense, teams don’t seem to hit many three-pointers against the Ragin’ Cajuns, who are 32nd in the country in terms of three-point field goals allowed at 149 this season.
Louisiana-Lafayette beat Texas State in their most recent meeting this season, moving its SU record against Texas State to 6-0 in their most recent head-to-head meetings. The Ragin’ Cajuns also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 5-1. Louisiana-Lafayette topped the Bobcats in three key areas (field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers) twice over the last five matchups. Texas State has never had the edge in all three categories.
Predictions: SU Winner – Louis, ATS Winner – Louis
Notes
“Texas State is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games “.
“Texas State is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games “.
“Texas State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home”.
“Texas State is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games at home”.
“Texas State is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home”.
“Texas State is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Louisiana-Lafayette”.
“Texas State is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Louisiana-Lafayette”.
“The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Texas State’s last 6 games when playing Louisiana-Lafayette”.
The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns average 81.4 points per game, ranking 19th in the nation. The Texas State Bobcats rank 20th in points allowed with 64.4.
In its last game, Texas State lost by a margin of 19 points. Louisiana-Lafayette is 7-2 in games decided by a margin of 18 points or more. Texas State has a 4-3 record in blowouts.
The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns rank 54th for their offensive rating of 112.2. The Texas State Bobcats have a defensive rating of 99.3 (ranked 87th).
The Texas State Bobcats average a field goal percentage of 41.9% this season. The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns have a poor record of 4-7 when opponents have a FG% of 41.9% or greater.
The Texas State Bobcats and the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns both rank higher in average field goal percentage when compared to their effective field goal percentages. Texas State is 310th and 276th in the nation for eFG% and FG% respectively, while Louisiana-Lafayette ranks 148th and 111th in these categories.
The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns average 41.5 rebounds per game and are ranked ninth. The Texas State Bobcats average 33.8 rebounds per game, ranked 287th.
When it comes to offensive rebounds, Louisiana-Lafayette ranks ninth. Texas State ranks 335th in defensive rebounds.
Though Texas State is one of the best in the country in forcing turnovers with opponents averaging a TO% of 23.1% (ranked 10th), Louisiana-Lafayette is undefeated (2-0) when its TO% is 23.1% or greater.
