The 8-seed Texas Southern Tigers (13-20) face the 2-seed Grambling State Tigers (24-8) Saturday in the Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) Championship Game, with an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament on the line. Tip from Bartwon Arena is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Texas Southern vs. Grambling State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Texas Southern may be the 8-seed but it has tapped into its postseason experience. It topped 1-seed Alcorn State 66-62 as a 2-point underdog in the 1st round Tuesday and dropped Alabama A&M in the semifinals by a 74-61 count as a 3-point favorite Friday. The Under cashed in both games, helped along by TSU allowing just 61.5 points per game.
Grambling State is back in the SWAC title game for the first time since 2011, and it is looking for its first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers belted Bethune Cookman 87-72 in the opening round Wednesday and eased by Jackson State 78-69 in a tough matchup Friday. The Tigers have covered 7 straight games and the Over is 2-0 in this tourney.
Grambling won 65-46 against Texas Southern on Feb. 11, easily cashing as a 5.5-point home favorite as the Under (135) cashed. Grambling also picked up an 85-72 victory as a 2.5-point road underdog on Jan. 4 as the Over (131.5) connected.