The Prairie View A&M Panthers (16-17, 13-6 SWAC) square off against the Texas Southern Tigers (13-19, 13-6 SWAC) in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tourney at Delmar Fieldhouse. The game is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. ET on Friday, March 9, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 160 points with Texas Southern set as a 2-point favorite.
Texas Southern Tigers vs. Prairie View A&M Panthers Free Prediction
The Tigers come in on a high note after beating the Alabama State Hornets in their last outing, 90-76. The Tigers made 33 of their 46 free throws (71.7 percent) and held the Hornets to an effective field goal percentage of 0.466 (below the 0.522 mark opponents have averaged against Texas Southern this season). Texas Southern was led by Demontrae Jefferson, who recorded 24 points and seven assists.
In the Panthers’ last matchup, they beat the Alcorn State Braves, 87-71. The Panthers had a turnover percentage of 10.9 (better than their season average of 16.3) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.569 (above their season average of 0.495). With 16 points and 14 assists, Dennis Jones played well for Prairie View A&M.
Prairie View A&M should have an advantage on the offensive glass in this showdown. The Panthers rank 98th in offensive rebounding percentage (31.3 percent), while Texas Southern ranks 313th in defensive rebounding percentage (68.0 percent). Also, the Tigers, who rank ninth in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.308), will go head-to-head against the Panthers, who rank 348th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.333).
Texas Southern comes into the contest with records of 13-19 straight up (SU) and 4-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas tends to place the total high when the Tigers are involved, as 60.0 percent of their games have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Prairie View A&M is 16-17 SU and 3-4 ATS. Unlike Texas Southern, Panthers games have a tendency to go over the total (60.0 percent).
Jefferson and Derrick Bruce have been playing well over the last five games for Texas Southern. Jefferson has averaged 28.4 points, 5.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Bruce has put up 20.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.0 steals a game during that span.
The two teams have split their two matchups this season. The Panthers won the most recent matchup 96-82. The Panthers’ turnover percentage was their largest strength over the Tigers. Prairie View A&M had a rate of 9.7, while Texas Southern posted a mark of 18.2. In the victory, Gary Blackston led all scorers with 29 points.
Texas Southern Tigers vs. Prairie View A&M Panthers Odds Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Texas Southern, ATS Winner – Texas Southern, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Prairie View A&M ranks 100th in assists allowed per game (12.7) while Texas Southern ranks 259th (16.2).
The Panthers rank 30th in steals per game (7.6) while the Tigers rank 175th (5.5).
Texas Southern ranks 109th in rebounds per game (36.2) while Prairie View A&M ranks 225th in rebounds allowed per game (36.7).
The Tigers rank 79th in blocks per game (3.9) while the Panthers rank 110th in blocks allowed per game (3.3).
Prairie View A&M averages 22.2 three pointers per game, which ranks 138th in the NCAA. Texas Southern ranks 148th in three pointers allowed per game (21.6).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Texas Southern is 1-0 ATS with 1 over.
Prairie View A&M is 1-0 ATS with 1 over over their last five games.
The Tigers have outscored opponents by an average of 15.2 points in their last five games. On the season, Texas Southern has been defeated by an average of 3.1 points.
During their last five games, the Panthers have scored an average of 78.8 points per game (3.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 68.2 points per game (8.2 below their season average).
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