Coastal Carolina vs Arkansas State NCAAB Prediction 2/28/23

Odds

2022-2023 season stats

Preview

On Monday evening, basketball fans can look forward to the first round of the Sun Belt Conference NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament featuring the 13th-ranked Arkansas State Red Wolves and the 12th-ranked Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. The exciting matchup will take place at the Pensacola Bay Center, promising an unforgettable game for all spectators.

The Arkansas State Red Wolves have had a difficult season, with a record of 12-19 (4-14) so far. However, they managed to secure a crucial 64-61 road win against the UL Monroe Warhawks last Friday, giving them a much-needed confidence boost heading into the tournament. On the other hand, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers have also struggled with an 11-19 (5-13) record and are on a three-game losing streak after a crushing 95-74 road loss against the Troy Trojans.

The two teams faced off once this season, with the Red Wolves claiming a dominant 73-57 home win. As they prepare to meet once again, both teams will be eager to come out on top and advance to the next round of the tournament. Fans can expect a thrilling game filled with fast-paced action, impressive athleticism, and plenty of suspense.

Arkansas State Red Wolves

The Arkansas State Red Wolves have had a challenging season when it comes to scoring. They averaged just 65.3 points per game, which ranks them 329th in the nation. With only a 42.9% overall shooting percentage and a 34.1% accuracy from behind the 3-point line, it's clear that the team struggled to put points on the board consistently.

Despite the offensive struggles, the Red Wolves did have a couple of standout players. Caleb Fields was the team's leading scorer, averaging 11.5 points per game. Although his overall shooting percentage was a respectable 44.3%, he struggled from behind the arc, hitting only 23.9% of his attempts. Omar El-Sheikh was the team's second-leading scorer, averaging 11.4 points per game. He had a better overall shooting percentage than Fields, hitting 50% of his shots, but he only attempted seven 3-pointers all season. In terms of distribution, Fields was the leader in assists, averaging 4.7 per contest. He was clearly the team's primary playmaker, and the offense often revolved around his ability to create opportunities for his teammates.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Red Wolves fared better. They allowed only 67.7 points per game, indicating that their defensive strategy was working well. They were also forcing mistakes, averaging 3.3 blocks and 6.9 steals per game. These numbers demonstrate that the team was proactive in disrupting their opponents' offense and making it difficult for them to score.

Despite the team's offensive struggles, there is reason to be optimistic about the future. If the Red Wolves can continue to improve on their offensive efficiency, they could surprise some of their opponents. They have already demonstrated that they have a solid defense, and if they can find a way to consistently put points on the board, they could become a formidable team in the future.

One possible reason for the team's offensive struggles could be the lack of a dominant scorer. While Fields and El-Sheikh both had respectable scoring averages, they were not dominant enough to consistently carry the team. It's possible that the team could benefit from having a go-to scorer who can consistently put up points.

Another area where the Red Wolves could improve is their 3-point shooting. With only a 34.1% accuracy rate from behind the arc, the team struggled to make shots from long range. If they can improve their 3-point shooting, they could become a more well-rounded offensive team and make it more difficult for their opponents to defend them.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers have had a decent offensive season, scoring an average of 73.5 points per game and shooting 43.5% from the floor. Their ability to pass the ball has also been impressive, with an average of 12.4 assists per game up to this point. Sophomore guard Josh Uduje has been the standout player for the team, averaging 13.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.4 blocks, and 1.6 turnovers in 30 minutes per game.

However, despite their offensive strengths, the Chanticleers struggled during the regular season and finished 8 games under .500. Poor performances on the defensive end of the court were a significant contributing factor, with the team allowing an average of 73.6 points per game. Opponents shot 42.4% overall against Coastal Carolina, including 34.9% from behind the 3-point line.

Rebounding was another area where the Chanticleers struggled. They allowed an average of 33.0 rebounds per game while averaging 37.3 boards per contest. Essam Mostafa led the team in rebounding with an average of 9.9 boards per game. Jomaru Brown was the team's leader in steals, averaging 1.2 per game, while Jimmy Nichols led the team in blocks with an average of 0.9 per game.

Improving the team's defensive performance will be crucial if they want to succeed on this game against the Red Devils. The Chanticleers must focus on limiting their opponents' scoring opportunities and disrupting their offensive rhythm. One possible solution could be to increase their intensity on the defensive end of the court and become more aggressive in challenging shots and passes.

BETTING TRENDS

Arkansas State are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games.

Arkansas State are 3-14 SU in their last 17 games.

Arkansas State are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against an opponent in the Sun Belt conference.

Arkansas State are 2-7 SU in their last 9 games against an opponent in the East Division division.

Coastal Carolina are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games.

The total has gone OVER in 4 of Coastal Carolina's last 6 games.

Coastal Carolina are 1-10 SU in their last 11 games.

Coastal Carolina are 1-9 SU in their last 10 games against an opponent in the Sun Belt conference.

Prediction

 The Red Wolves have already beaten the Chanticleers in their only matchup this season, and they also come into the game with some momentum following a crucial win against the UL Monroe Warhawks.

While the Red Wolves have had some offensive struggles this season, their defense has been solid, allowing only 67.7 points per game. Additionally, they have been forcing mistakes, averaging 3.3 blocks and 6.9 steals per game. These defensive strengths could make it difficult for the Chanticleers to put up points and establish a rhythm on offense.

Another factor that could work in the Red Wolves' favor is their recent betting trends. They are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games, indicating that they have been performing well against the spread. Additionally, they are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games against an opponent in the Sun Belt conference, suggesting that they have had success against conference opponents.

On the other hand, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers have struggled defensively, allowing an average of 73.6 points per game. While they have been decent on offense, their lack of defensive prowess could make it difficult for them to keep up with the Red Wolves.

Furthermore, the Chanticleers have struggled in recent betting trends, going 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games. They have also struggled against Sun Belt conference opponents, going 1-9 SU in their last 10 games.

Overall, it seems that the Arkansas State Red Wolves have a better chance of winning the game due to their solid defense and recent betting trends. While the Chanticleers have some talented players, their struggles on the defensive end could ultimately be their downfall in this matchup.

PICK: Arkansas State ML (+103)

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