The South Alabama Jaguars and Arkansas State Red Wolves will take the court Thursday for a Sun Belt showdown at First National Bank Arena. Tip-off from Jonesboro, AR, is at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Jaguars are four-point spread favorites and the game total is 128 points.
South Alabama, 9-13 SU and 11-9 ATS, defeated Troy 77-60 on Saturday. The Jags are 1-4 in their past five and 3-7 in conference play.
Arkansas State, 9-14 SU and 6-13-1 ATS, lost 63-51 to App State on Saturday. The Red Wolves are 0-5 in their past five and 1-9 in conference play.
South Alabama defeated Arkansas State 63-45 on Jan. 5. The Jags held the Red Wolves to 27.6 percent shooting from the field, including 3-for-13 from three-point range. Arkansas State holds a 26-24 lead in the series' history.
At 9-13 overall and 3-7 in Sun Belt play, this USA season has been a disappointment. If the Jaguars hope to salvage a winning season, they'll need to flip a switch over the final nine regular season contests.
South Alabama did pick up a win in its last game, beating Troy by 17 at home. The Jags shot over 50 percent from the floor, including 6-for-13 from three. They also outrebounded the Trojans 37-22, with 11 offensive rebounds. Troy never led in the ballgame.
Big win in the Mitch this weekend! ????#BurnTheBoats pic.twitter.com/7tSi1yqqtw
— South Alabama Basketball ?? (@SouthAlabamaMBB) January 30, 2023
South Alabama scores 69.5 points per game (238th) and shoots 45.4 percent from the field (135th), including 32.7 percent from behind the arc (259th). They convert 66.4 percent of their free throws (317th) and average 29.9 rebounds (290th) with a -4.0 rebounding margin. USA is 209th in schedule-adjusted offensive efficiency, per KenPom.
Senior guard Isaiah Moore paces the Jaguars, averaging 18.2 points and 4.7 assists per game. Other players to watch are senior center Kevin Samuel (10.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 65.2 FG%), senior guard Greg Parham II (10.0 PPG), and junior guard Tyrell Jones (9.7 PPG).
South Alabama surrenders 67.5 points (126th) on 43.3 percent shooting (176th), including 31.7 percent from long distance (89th). The Jags are 153rd in schedule-adjusted defensive efficiency, 234th in adjusted tempo, and 139th in assist-per-turnover ratio.
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