March Madness Picks: Indiana State Sycamores vs SC Upstate

Photo Credit: © Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Preview

The 2023 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, also known as March Madness, is around the corner and KingPin.pro is excited to offer expert predictions and analysis for each game. In this article, we focus on the Discount Tire CBI 1st Round game between the South Carolina Upstate Spartans and the Indiana State Sycamores. We provide an extensive review of both teams and conclude with a prediction.

South Carolina Upstate Spartans

The South Carolina Upstate Spartans have had an up-and-down season this year, finishing fourth in the Big South Conference with a 10-8 record and a 16-15 overall record. Despite their inconsistent form, they have managed to secure a place in the Discount Tire CBI 1st Round game against the Indiana State Sycamores.

The Spartans have had some notable victories this season, including wins against Longwood and Radford. However, they have also suffered some surprising defeats against weaker opponents such as Presbyterian and High Point. Their recent form has been inconsistent, winning only two of their last five games. Their last victory came against Gardner-Webb, where they secured a narrow 59-57 win.

One of the bright spots for the Spartans this season has been the performance of junior guard J. Gainey. He has been their leading scorer, averaging 15.1 points per game and shooting an impressive 78.4% from the field. Gainey has been particularly effective inside the arc, where he has made 120 of his 143 field goal attempts. Another player to watch is senior guard T. Broadnax, who leads the team in assists with 3.1 per game.

Despite their strong individual performances, the Spartans have struggled offensively this season, ranking 237th in the nation in points per game with 69.5. They have also been prone to turnovers, averaging 14.4 turnovers per game. However, their defense has been solid, holding opponents to an average of 67.5 points per game.

Indiana State Sycamores

The Indiana State Sycamores have had a strong season this year, finishing fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 13-7 record and a 22-12 overall record. They have secured a place in the Discount Tire CBI 1st Round game against the South Carolina Upstate Spartans.

The Sycamores have had some notable victories this season, including wins against Belmont and Drake. However, they have also suffered some disappointing defeats against Missouri State and Northern Iowa. Their recent form has been mixed, winning three of their last five games. Their last victory came against Evansville, where they secured an impressive 97-58 win.

One of the key players for the Sycamores this season has been senior guard C. McCauley. He has been their leading scorer, averaging 15.7 points per game and shooting 71.1% from the field. McCauley has been particularly effective from mid-range, where he has made 88 of his 149 field goal attempts. Another player to watch is junior guard C. Henry, who leads the team in assists with 3.8 per game.

The Sycamores have been a strong offensive team this season, ranking 52nd in the nation in points per game with 78.6. They have also been effective from beyond the arc, where they have made 282 of their 782 three-point attempts. However, their defense has been less impressive, allowing opponents to score an average of 71.5 points per game.

Betting Trends

The South Carolina Upstate Spartans are 4-1 against the spread in their last five games overall. They are also 4-0 against the spread in their last four games following a straight-up win. On the other hand, the Indiana State Sycamores are 1-4 against the spread in their last five games overall. They are also 1-4 against the spread in their last five games following a straight-up win.

Public Betting Data

According to the latest public betting data, 56% of the betting action is on the Indiana State Sycamores to cover the -11 point spread. Meanwhile, 44% of the betting action is on the South Carolina Upstate Spartans to cover the +11 point spread.

Prediction

Despite the Sycamores having a strong offense, we predict that the Spartans will cover the +11 points spread. The Spartans may have had an inconsistent season, but they have faced tough opposition in the Big South Conference, which could prepare them well for this matchup. In addition, the Spartans have a strong defense that has held opponents to an average of 67.5 points per game, which could stifle the Sycamores' offense.

Moreover, the Spartans have performed well against the spread this season, with a 16-12-1 record. On the other hand, the Sycamores have a 22-11-0 record against the spread, which suggests that they may not cover the large point spread.

While the Sycamores have a strong offense, the Spartans' defense could pose a challenge and limit their scoring opportunities. Additionally, the Spartans have faced tough opposition in the Big South Conference, which could prepare them well for this matchup. Furthermore, the Spartans have a decent record against the spread this season, suggesting that they could cover the large point spread against the Sycamores. On the other hand, the Sycamores have a slightly weaker record against the spread, which could work in the Spartans' favor.

In conclusion, while the Indiana State Sycamores have had a strong season and have the potential to secure a victory, we predict that the South Carolina Upstate Spartans will cover the +11 points spread in the Discount Tire CBI 1st Round game. 

PICK: South Carolina Upstate Spartans +11 (-110)

Kingpin.pro iOS and Android App:

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