The Mississippi State Bulldogs (21-10, 9-9 SEC) clash against the LSU Tigers (17-13, 8-10 SEC) in the Southeastern Conference Tourney at Scottrade Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 8, 2018, and will air on SEC Network.
Mississippi State is a 1.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 145.5 points.
LSU Tigers vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs Betting Prediction
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Waters put up 14 points and 10 assists and the Tigers defeated the Bulldogs 78-57, covering as 1.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 135 points, which was 11.5 points below the projected point total of 146.5 points. The Tigers had a much better free throw rate (0.204 vs. 0.089) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.620 vs. 0.464).
The offensive glass should be a major advantage for Mississippi State in this matchup. The Bulldogs currently rank 95th in offensive rebounding percentage (31.4 percent), while LSU ranks 292nd in defensive rebounding percentage (68.7 percent). Also, the Tigers rank 41st in offensive efficiency (113.2), while the Bulldogs rank 43rd in defensive efficiency (98.6).
LSU heads into the contest with records of 17-13 straight up (SU) and 13-11-3 against the spread (ATS). Tigers games have a slight tendency to go over the O/U total (51.9 percent).
Meanwhile, Mississippi State owns records of 21-10 SU and 12-14 ATS. Contrary to LSU, games featuring the Bulldogs have a slight tendency to go under the O/U total (53.8 percent).
Tremont Waters has averaged 19.6 points, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals over the last five games for LSU.
LSU Tigers vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs Free Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – LSU, ATS Winner – LSU, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Mississippi State ranks 103rd in rebounds per game (36.4) while LSU ranks 228th (33.5).
The Bulldogs rank 13th in blocks per game (5.2) while the Tigers rank 124th (3.3).
Mississippi State ranks 142nd in three pointers attempted per game (22.2) while LSU ranks 245th in three pointers allowed per game (23.8).
The Bulldogs rank 31st in steals allowed per game (5.2) while the Tigers rank 85th (5.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, LSU is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Mississippi State is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Tigers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.4, down from 3.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 71.0 points per game (3.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.0 points per game (5.2 above their season average).
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