A six-game home winning streak is on the line for the Texas State Bobcats (12-2, 1-0 SBC) when they welcome the Georgia State Panthers (10-4, 1-0 SBC) to Strahan Coliseum. Action gets underway at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 5, 2019.
Georgia State Panthers at Texas State Bobcats Betting Odds
Both teams defeated their last opponent. The Bobcats defeated the Air Force Falcons 67-57, while the Panthers beat the East Tennessee State Buccaneers 74-68.
The Panthers had a much better free throw rate (0.368 vs. 0.162) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.465 vs. 0.378). The Bobcats, meanwhile, had a much better turnover percentage (14.5 vs. 24.4) and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.549 vs. 0.500). Nijal Pearson fueled Texas State with 21 points and five assists. Jeff Thomas had a good game for Georgia State, contributing 26 points and five rebounds.
The Panthers dominated this series last year, securing victories in both games. In the last game, Georgia State won 77-50. Georgia State’s 0.579 effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Texas State, who had a rate of 0.354. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
D’Marcus Simonds has been superb recently for Georgia State, averaging 0 points over the last five games.
This could end up being a sloppy game for the Texas State offense. Texas State ranks 270th in the nation in ball protection (turnover percentage of 20.6 percent), while the gambling defense of Georgia State forces the 45th-most turnovers in the nation (22.8 percent). Furthermore, the Panthers’ 59th-ranked offense (effective field goal percentage of 0.550) will go head-to-head against the Bobcats’ 13th-ranked defense (effective field goal percentage allowed of 0.432).
Georgia State Panthers at Texas State Bobcats Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Texas State, ATS Winner – Georgia State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Texas State ranks 33rd in rebounds allowed per game (31.2) while Georgia State ranks 228th (38.5).
- The Panthers rank 27th in blocks per game (4.9) while the Bobcats rank 138th (2.6).
- Georgia State ranks 15th in steals per game (9.0) while Texas State ranks 117th in steals allowed per game (6.6).
- The Bobcats rank 59th in three pointers allowed per game (20.4) while the Panthers rank 241st (26.8).
- Texas State ranks 20th in assists per game (17.4) while Georgia State ranks 193rd in assists allowed per game (15.1).
Bettings Trends:
- The Bobcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 18.6, up from 16.6 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Panthers have scored an average of 70.6 points per game (6.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 73.4 points per game (0.2 above their season average).
