It will be a battle between Sun Belt opponents when the Texas State Bobcats (13-15) welcome the South Alabama Jaguars (13-17) to Strahan Coliseum. The game starts at 5:30 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 5.
The Bobcats enter this game hoping for similar success after blowing out Troy 78-57 on Thursday. Kavin Gilder-Tilbury was the game’s leading scorer with 26 points on 9-for-12 shooting. The Jaguars, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 92-79 loss to UT Arlington on Thursday. Ken Williams had a game-high 22 points.
This is the second game of the year between these two teams, with the Bobcats winning the first matchup 78-67. Emani Gant finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds.
The Bobcats have gone 13-15 Straight Up (SU) and 12-10 Against The Spread (ATS). They are 7-3 ATS over their last 10 games. Opposing teams know they’re in for a battle when they play Texas State’s stingy defense. The Bobcats are one of the top teams when it comes to defense, allowing just 64.4 points per game. Texas State’s three-point defense can be considered one of the best in the nation, allowing just 6.0 three-pointers per game.
As for their opponent, South Alabama has a SU record of 13-17 and an ATS record of 15-13. The Jaguars average 73.6 points allowed per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 65.6 points per game during that span.
The Bobcats’ win over South Alabama in their last game brought their SU record to 4-1 over South Alabama in their most recent games. With a 3-2 record, the Bobcats also have the advantage ATS. Texas State held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers three times in the last five games, while South Alabama wasn’t able to do so in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – TxSt, ATS Winner – TxSt
Notes
South Alabama averages 69.7 points per game, placing the team just 196th in the nation. Texas State ranks 22nd in points allowed, giving up 64.4 points per game.
In its last game, Texas State won by a margin of 21 points. South Alabama is 2-4 in games decided by a margin of 18 points or more. Texas State has a 5-3 record in blowouts.
The South Alabama Jaguars average 70.8 possessions per game and .984 points per possession. The Texas State Bobcats earn fewer possessions with 64.9, but they score more points with 1.019.
The Texas State Bobcats average an effective field goal percentage of 47.1% this season. The South Alabama Jaguars have a subpar record of 2-13 when opponents have an eFG% of 47.1% or greater.
On average, the Texas State Bobcats attempt 14.0 three point field goals per game and the South Alabama Jaguars attempt 20.0. In games where they attempt at least 20 threes, Texas State is 2-3, while South Alabama has a losing record of 4-11.
Texas State records 6.1 steals per game. South Alabama is 5-6 when giving up at least 6 steals.
