South Alabama vs. James Madison prediction and odds for Sun Belt Semifinals (Jaguars advance)
Nov 18, 2022; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; South Alabama Jaguars guard Isaiah Moore (4) drives to the basket against Oklahoma Sooners forward Jalen Hill (1) during the second half at Lloyd Noble Center. Oklahoma won 64-60. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports
South Alabama and James Madison meet in the Sun Belt Tournament semifinals on Sunday afternoon.
The two teams played a close on in Mobile, Alabama in January, a 63-62 win for the Jaguars, but it was James Madison who entered as the four seed in the tournament while South Alabama was the eight seed. The Jaguars knocked off No. 1 seed Southern Mississippi in the quarters while the Dukes beat Troy to get to this pivotal matchup.
Who is heading to the Sun Belt finals on Monday night with a chance to make the NCAA Tournament?
Here are the odds:
South Alabama vs. James Madison odds, spread and total
South Alabama Jaguars @ James Madison Dukes | Odds by DraftKings
South Alabama vs. James Madison prediction and pick
South Alabama pulled away in the second half against No. 1 seed in the Sun Belt Tournament Southern Mississippi on Saturday afternoon, making it 10 wins in their last 12 games.
While this team entered the tournament as the No. 8 seed, they have been anything but that of late. Since February 1st, the Jaguars have been the 24th best team in the country, per Bart Torvik. The team is shutting down the interior for opponents around big man Kevin Samuel, holding foes to below 45% on two’s (19th best in the country), and are operating at a high level on offense with Isaiah Moore creating for himself and his teammates (the team is top 20 in effective field goal percentage).
The team faces James Madison, who they beat in Mobile back in January 63-62. The Jaguars led for much of that game despite a late push from the Dukes as they survived turning the ball over 20 times, a season high.
However, that’s an outlier, not the norm. South Alabama is 12th in the country in terms of turnover rate this season. Yes, JMU turns foes over at a Sun Belt high rate at over 20%, but that number has dropped to 17% since the beginning of February as teams have wised up to their ball pressure defense, which is right around the national average.
South Alabama has been the best team in the conference by a wide margin over the past month or so, I’m riding the hot hand on Sunday.
USA
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moneyline
South Alabama Jaguars @ James Madison Dukes
03/05 5:00 PM
NCAAB • 2022-23 Week of Feb 27
If the South Alabama Jaguars win, a $10 bet on them will win you $10.00, for a total payout of $20.00.
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Published on Mar 5, 2023 10:50 AM
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