The Sam Houston State Bearkats (20-14) meet the UTSA Roadrunners (20-14) in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament at UTSA Convocation Center. The game begins at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 22, 2018.
UTSA opened as a 4-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 147.5 points.
Sam Houston State Bearkats at UTSA Roadrunners ATS Prediction
The last time the Bearkats played, they topped the Eastern Michigan Eagles, 69-62. The Bearkats made 10 of their 13 free throws (76.9 percent) and held the Eagles to an offensive rebounding percentage of 23.3 (below their season average of 30.4). With 19 points on 6-for-15 shooting, Josh Delaney was Sam Houston State’s leading scorer.
The Roadrunners beat the Lamar Cardinals in their last contest, 76-69. The Roadrunners had a great free throw rate of 0.291 (above their season average of 0.199) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.545 (above their season average of 0.515). Deon Lyle was the top scorer from either team with 16 points on 5-for-12 shooting.
Conflicting styles will be on display in this battle. UTSA prefers a fast-breaking style of play (27th in possessions per game), while Sam Houston State likes to grind-it-out (242nd in possessions per game). Also, the Bearkats are among the NCAA’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking 58th in offensive rebounding percentage (33.0 percent). The Roadrunners, meanwhile, rank 49th at grabbing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 74.6 percent.
Byron Frohnen has averaged 11.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.8 steals over the last five games for UTSA.
Sam Houston State Bearkats vs. UTSA Roadrunners Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – UTSA, ATS Winner – UTSA, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
UTSA averages 28.0 three pointers per game, which ranks 14th in the nation. Sam Houston State ranks 224th in three pointers allowed per game (23.4).
The Bearkats rank 77th in rebounds per game (37.6) while the Roadrunners rank 275th in rebounds allowed per game (38.1).
UTSA ranks 196th in blocks per game (2.7) while Sam Houston State ranks 256th (1.7).
The Bearkats are 27th in the NCAA with 5.1 steals allowed per game while the Roadrunners are 38th with 5.2 steals allowed per game.
Sam Houston State ranks 94th in assists per game (14.6) while UTSA ranks 99th in assists allowed per game (12.6).
Bettings Trends:
The Bearkats have been outscored by an average of 2.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Sam Houston State has defeated opponents by an average of 3.1 points.
During their last five games, the Roadrunners have scored an average of 73.8 points per game (4.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.4 points per game (2.7 below their season average).
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