The South Carolina Gamecocks (16-15, 7-11 SEC) meet the Ole Miss Rebels (12-19, 5-13 SEC) in the Southeastern Conference Tourney at Scottrade Center. The game can be seen on SEC Network at 9:25 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 7, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 145.5 points with South Carolina set as a 3-point favorite.
Ole Miss Rebels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Free Prediction
The Rebels are trying to rebound after their 82-69 loss to the Vanderbilt Commodores in their last game. Vanderbilt’s 0.636 effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Ole Miss, who had a rate of 0.443. The Commodores’ mark was above their season average of 0.516, while the Rebels’ was below the 0.528 mark opponents have averaged against Vanderbilt this season. Bruce Stevens led Ole Miss in scoring with 17 points on 7-for-9 shooting.
In the Gamecocks’ last game, they lost to the No. 14 Auburn Tigers, 79-70. Auburn was effective at getting to and converting from the free throw line. The Tigers made 24 of their 29 free throws (82.8 percent), while the Gamecocks were 15-20 (75.0 percent). Frank Booker had a good game for South Carolina, leading the team in scoring with 27 points on 7-for-17 shooting.
The offensive glass should be a huge advantage for South Carolina in this contest. The Gamecocks currently rank 49th in offensive rebounding percentage (33.4 percent), while Ole Miss ranks 271st in defensive rebounding percentage (69.3 percent). Additionally, the Rebels rank 31st in turnover percentage (16.1 percent), while the Gamecocks rank 37th in opponents’ turnover percentage (21.6 percent).
Ole Miss comes into the contest with records of 12-19 straight up (SU) and 10-20 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to place the total high when the Rebels are involved, as 18 of their 30 games have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, South Carolina owns records of 16-15 SU and 15-14-1 ATS. Unlike Ole Miss, just over half of Gamecocks games have finished over the projected point total.
Stevens and Breein Tyree have been playing well over the last five games for Ole Miss. Stevens has averaged 11.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Tyree has put up 15.2 points a game during that span.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Gamecocks lost 74-69, unable to cover as 2-point underdogs. Chris Silva led both teams with 21 points and also recorded 13 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 143 points, which was 5.5 points below the projected point total of 148.5 points. The Rebels made 26 of their 33 free throws (78.8 percent) and had a much better turnover percentage (11.2 vs. 16.8).
Ole Miss Rebels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – South Carolina, ATS Winner – South Carolina, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
South Carolina ranks 43rd in assists allowed per game (11.4) while Ole Miss ranks 273rd (16.6).
The Gamecocks rank 85th in rebounds per game (36.9) while the Rebels rank 270th in rebounds allowed per game (38.4).
South Carolina ranks 70th in three pointers allowed per game (20.1) while Ole Miss ranks 248th (23.9).
The Rebels average 4.2 blocks per game, which ranks 54th in the NCAA. The Gamecocks rank 211th in blocks allowed per game (5.3).
Ole Miss averages 6.2 steals per game, which ranks 128th in the NCAA. South Carolina ranks 208th in steals allowed per game (7.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Ole Miss is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
South Carolina is 5-0 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Rebels’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 10.6, up from 2.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Gamecocks have scored an average of 74.2 points per game (4.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 71.4 points per game (2.9 above their season average).
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