Furman at LSU College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/21/2018

Friday, December 21, 2018

Pete Maravich Assembly Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Furman Paladins head to Pete Maravich Assembly Center to take on the LSU Tigers on Friday, December 21, 2018. The opening line for this game has LSU as 9.5 point favorites.

Furman heads into this matchup with a mark of 12-0. They currently have a point differential of 18.8 as they are averaging 83.7 points per contest while giving up 64.9 per game. LSU has an overall mark of 8-3. They are averaging 81.2 points per contest and giving up 71.3, which is a point differential of 9.9.

Valuable Furman Paladins Betting Trends

The Furman Paladins are 5-4-0 against the spread this season

The Furman Paladins are 4-5-0 against the over/under this year

Important LSU Tigers Betting Trends

The LSU Tigers are 5-6-0 against the spread this season

The LSU Tigers are 6-5-0 against the over/under this year

Key Furman Paladins Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key LSU Tigers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Jordan Lyons comes into this game averaging 18.2 points per contest while playing 32.8 minutes per night this year. He grabs 1.5 rebounds per contest and distributes 2.2 assists per game. His FG percentage is 50% while his free throw percentage is 70%. Matt Rafferty averages 17.2 points per contest in 33.2 minutes per game. He averages 4.6 assists per game and 9.7 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 66% for the season while his free throw percentage is 66%.

Player Spotlight

Skylar Mays scores 13.3 points per contest while playing 28.7 minutes per game. He hauls in 3.5 rebounds per contest and has 2.5 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 50% and his free throw percentage is at 88%. Naz Reid averages 12.4 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 23.1 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.8 rebounds per game and has 1.2 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 71%.

Useful Team Statistics

Furman averages 83.7 points per contest, which is 28th in D-1. Their average scoring margin is 18.8 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a unit, which has them ranked 42nd. From 3-point territory they shoot 37%, which is good for 87th in the nation. They average 40.3 boards per contest and 18.2 assists per game, which ranks them 42nd and 17th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 295th with 11.8 per game. The Paladins allow 64.9 points per contest, which is 49th in the NCAA. They also surrender a 41% shooting percentage and a 34% average from 3-point range, ranking them 91st and 183rd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 34.3 rebounds a game which ranks 143rd, and they allow 12.7 assists per game which puts them in 152nd place in the country. They force 15.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 272nd in Division 1.

Useful Team Statistics

LSU is 53rd in the nation with 81.2 points per contest this season. They are 50th in the country in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 9.9. They shoot 33% from beyond the arc, which is good for 236th in the NCAA. They are 174th in D-1 in rebounding with 36.6 boards per contest and 133rd in assists per game with 14.5. The Tigers are 134th in turnovers per contest with 14.1. The Tigers give up 71.3 points per game, which ranks them 180th in Division 1. Their defense surrenders a 43% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 154th and 289th in those defensive statistics. They rank 49th with 10.9 dimes allowed per game and 92nd with 33.2 boards surrendered per contest. The Tigers are 299th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 15.9 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Paladins are 14th in the nation in offensive rating with 116.9. In terms of pace they are 275th in the country with 68.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 57% is 17th. As a team they are 39th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 59% and they shoot 3-pointers on 46% of their shots, ranking 27th in Division 1. Furman is 315th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.2 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

LSU is 152nd in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.8 times per 100 possessions. The Tigers have an offensive rating of 112.5, which is ranked 53rd. They are 157th in D-1 in pace with 71.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 83rd. As a unit they are 51st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shot attempts, ranking 190th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Furman/LSU college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Furman +9.5

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