The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (14-17, 8-10 SBC) and the Texas State Bobcats (14-17, 7-11 SBC) go head-to-head in the Sun Belt Conference Tourney at Lakefront Arena. Coastal Carolina opened as a 1.5-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 128 points. Tip-off is set for 12:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN 3.
Texas State Bobcats vs. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Free Preview
The Bobcats lost a close one to the UT Arlington Mavericks in their last outing, 85-82. Texas State’s Nijal Pearson had a good game, leading both teams in scoring with 31 points on 9-for-17 shooting. UT Arlington had a turnover percentage of 14.2 (better than their season average of 17.9). Texas State, on the other hand, had a free throw rate of 0.346 (above their season average of 0.234).
The last time the Chanticleers played, they were topped by the Appalachian State Mountaineers, 76-67. With eight points and 11 rebounds, Coastal Carolina’s Demario Beck played well. Appalachian State had a turnover percentage of 12.6 (better than their season average of 16.7). Coastal Carolina, meanwhile, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (30.6 vs. 28.9).
Coastal Carolina might have trouble finding the bottom of the net as they clash against one of the NCAA’s best defenses. Texas State ranks 71st in defensive efficiency while the Chanticleers rank 230th in offensive efficiency.
Of Texas State’s 24 games that accepted bets, 12 have finished under the projected point total, while 13 of Coastal Carolina’s 25 games have finished over the O/U total. Both teams have very similar records straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS). The Bobcats are 14-17 SU and 11-13 ATS, while the Chanticleers are 14-17 SU and 11-12-2 ATS.
Pearson has been excellent over the last five games for Texas State, averaging 16.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
These two teams have already met twice this year, each winning once. In the most recent game, the Bobcats lost 56-54, unable to cover as 3-point favorites. Pearson led both teams with 16 points. The two teams combined for 110 points, which was 17.5 points below the projected point total of 127.5 points. Coastal Carolina’s effective field goal percentage was its largest advantage over Texas State. The Chanticleers had a rate of 0.402 while the Bobcats posted a mark of 0.382.
Texas State Bobcats vs. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Betting Prediction
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Coastal Carolina, ATS Winner – Coastal Carolina, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- The Bobcats rank 190th in steals per game (5.5) while the Chanticleers rank 203rd in steals allowed per game (7.2).
- Coastal Carolina ranks fifth in blocks allowed per game (2.2) while Texas State ranks 187th (4.2).
- The Bobcats rank 118th in three pointers allowed per game (20.9) while the Chanticleers rank 283rd (25.2).
- Coastal Carolina ranks 25th in rebounds per game (39.0) while Texas State ranks 170th (34.8).
Bettings Trends:
- Coastal Carolina is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Texas State is 2-3 ATS with 4 overs.
- The Chanticleers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 0.8, down from 2.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Bobcats have scored an average of 68.6 points per game (2.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 79.0 points per game (13.6 above their season average).
