Southern Utah vs North Alabama Prediction, 03/18

Photo Credit: © Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Preview

The Discount Tire CBI - 1st Round matchup between North Alabama Lions and Southern Utah Thunderbirds is set to take place on March 18, 2023, at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Lions finished fifth in the ASUN Conference with a 10-8 record and an 18-14 overall record, while the Thunderbirds finished third in the Western Athletic Conference with a 12-6 record and a 22-12 overall record. In this Kingpin.pro prediction article, we will provide an extensive review of both teams, expert analysis and a final prediction on the outcome of the game.

North Alabama Lions

The North Alabama Lions had a decent season, finishing fifth in the ASUN Conference. They have had notable victories over Bellarmine and Lipscomb, but also suffered defeats against Eastern Kentucky and Kennesaw State. Their recent form is inconsistent, winning only two of their last five games, with their last victory coming against Jacksonville State.

The Lions have been a decent offensive team this season, ranking 155th in the nation in points per game with 73.1. However, they lack a consistent scoring threat, with junior guard D. Ortiz leading the team in points per game with 14.9. Another player to watch is senior forward D. Forrest, who leads the team in rebounds with 6.6 per game.

Southern Utah Thunderbirds

The Southern Utah Thunderbirds had an excellent season, finishing third in the Western Athletic Conference. They have had notable victories over Sam Houston and Grand Canyon, but also suffered defeats against New Mexico State and Seattle U. Their recent form is mixed, winning two of their last five games, with their last victory coming against UTU.

The Thunderbirds are a strong offensive team, ranking 18th in the nation in points per game with 81.5. They are led by junior guard T. Jones, who averages 17.6 points per game and shoots an impressive 84.3% from the free-throw line. Another player to watch is senior guard H. Butler, who leads the team in rebounds with 6.7 per game.

Betting Trends

The current line for this game is set at -8 in favor of Southern Utah, with an over/under of 163.5. The Thunderbirds have a 16-12-2 record against the spread this season, while the Lions have a 15-13-1 record against the spread.

Public Betting Data

The public is currently backing Southern Utah, with 69% of the bets and 87% of the money on the Thunderbirds to cover the spread. This suggests that the betting public believes Southern Utah is the better team and is likely to win and cover the spread.

Prediction

Despite North Alabama's strong recent form and solid defense, we predict that Southern Utah will win and cover the -8 points spread. The Thunderbirds have a more dynamic offense than the Lions, and their ability to score at a high rate could prove to be the difference in this matchup.

Furthermore, Southern Utah has a strong record against the spread this season, which suggests that they are a consistent team that can cover the spread even in games where they are favored by a large margin. Their solid defense, which allows just 68.4 points per game, could also stifle North Alabama's offense and limit their scoring opportunities.

In conclusion, while North Alabama has the potential to cause an upset, we believe that Southern Utah's superior offense and defense, combined with their strong record against the spread, make them the more likely team to win and cover the -8 points spread in this matchup.

PICK: Southern Utah -8 (-110)

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