Some say that Cincinnati should be a No. 1 seed, but it could care less about that so long as the Bearcats get out of the first round safely. They will have Georgia State this Friday in a matchup between two defensive-minded squads. Read on for a preview of this game and register here to wager with your pick.
Betting Preview for the Georgia State Panthers vs Cincinnati Bearcats March Madness Rd 1 College Basketball Game on March 16, 2018
Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville
When: Friday, March 16, 2:00 PM ET
Line: Cincinnati Bearcats (n/a) vs. Georgia State Panthers (n/a) – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: TBS
Betting on the Georgia State Panthers (24-10)
The Panther are back in the tournament after missing the boat to the Big Dance the last two seasons. And they have done it by making beating Texas Arlington in the Sun Belt Tournament title game on Sunday, 74-61. Like Cincinnati, defense has been a big key to the Panthers’ success this season. They are limiting teams to only 67.8 points per game. Even more impressive is the fact that teams shoot just 39.3 percent against them from the floor, which is fourth best in Division I basketball in terms of defense. The Panthers’ interior defense seem rock solid, as they limit opponents to convert just 43.9 percent of their shots from inside the arc and also averages 4.5 blocks per outing. Against Texas Arlington, The Panthers had five blocks and forced the Mavericks to pick up 13 turnovers. Cincinnati does not blow anyone’s mind with its offense, so the Panthers should be able to put up a good defensive effort this Friday.
Betting on the Cincinnati Bearcats (30-4)
Next to Virginia, Cincinnati probably has the best defense in the nation. The Bearcats have the numbers to back that up. Cincinnati makes opponents bleed for a mere average of 57.1 points per game, which is the second fewest allowed behind Virginia. The Bearcats have also held opposing teams to only 37 percent shooting from field, 40.7 percent on two-point shots, and 30.9 percent from behind the arc. Life is not easy against Cincinnati. Gary Clark and Jacob Evans, meanwhile, carry the bulk of Cincy’s offense that averages 74.5 points per game and shoots just 45.3 percent from the floor. Clark tops the team with 13.0 points per game, while Evans chips in 12.9 per outing. The under is 3-1 in Cincinnati\s last four games overall.
Writer’s Prediction
Cincinnati wins, 71-62.
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