Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Prediction, 1/9/2025 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Jacksonville State Gamecocks vs Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Date: Thursday, January 9, 2025

Location: E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, KY

TV: ESPN+

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (10-5) will try to beat the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (8-6) at E.A. Diddle Arena on Thursday.

The Jacksonville State Gamecocks played Kennesaw State and ended up losing by a score of 83-71 in their last game. Jacksonville State ended the contest having earned a 36.2% FG percentage (21 of 58) and made 6 of their 24 shots from 3-point land. At the free throw line, the Gamecocks converted 23 of their 28 shots for a percentage of 82.1%. Concerning pulling down rebounds, they earned 24 with 7 of them being of the offensive variety. They also recorded 8 assists for the game in addition to creating 10 turnovers and having 5 steals. When it comes to defense, Jacksonville State allowed the other team to shoot 45.5% from the floor on 30 of 66 shooting. Kennesaw State recorded 15 assists and had 6 steals for this contest. In addition, Kennesaw State grabbed 40 boards (13 offensive, 27 defensive), but didn't notch a block. Kennesaw State ended up shooting 76.5% at the free throw line by knocking down 13 of 17 attempts. They buried 10 of their 31 tries from three-point range. In relation to fouls, the Gamecocks ended up finishing with 17 and Kennesaw State recorded 23 fouls.

Jaron Pierre Jr. is a player who was important in this matchup. He finished the game shooting 40.0% from the floor and dished out 4 dimes. He played 39 mins played and collected 4 boards. He accounted for 20 points on 6 out of 15 shooting.

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Jacksonville State will play this game with a win-loss mark of 8-6 so far this year. They average 80.8 pts per game (69th in Division 1) while shooting 47.7% from the floor. The Gamecocks are shooting 38.9% on 3-point shots (124 of 319) and 78.3% from the charity stripe. As a team, Jacksonville State is pulling in 40.9 boards per game and has racked up 186 assists for the year, which has them ranked 283rd in Division 1 in terms of passing. They lose possession by turning the ball over 9.5 times per game and as a group are committing 12.9 fouls per contest.

Defensively, the Gamecocks are able to force 7.4 turnovers per game and they draw 15.1 personal fouls. They are relinquishing 34.3% from 3-point land and they are 161st in the nation in PPG allowed (70.6). The Gamecocks defense is giving up a shooting percentage of 40.3% (355 of 881) and they relinquish 31.9 rebounds per game as a team. They are 125th in college in giving up assists with 181 conceded this season.

When they last stepped on the court, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers walked away from this one with a loss by a score of 85-66 when they played FIU. The Hilltoppers recorded 14 defensive boards and 6 offensive rebounds for a total of 20 in this game. They turned the ball over 20 times, while earning 20 steals in this matchup. FIU committed 19 fouls in this game which took the Hilltoppers to the free throw line for a total of 24 tries. They were able to bury 20 of the free throw attempts for a percentage of 83.3%. In the matter of shots from distance, Western Kentucky made 4 of 22 tries (18.2%). At the conclusion of this game, the Hilltoppers went 21 out of 57 from the field which had them at 36.8%. The Hilltoppers allowed FIU to knock down 27 of their 58 attempts from the field which gave them a rate of 46.6% for the contest. They went 50.0% from behind the 3-point line by hitting 11 of 22 and finished the contest at 20 out of 25 from the charity stripe (80.0%). Concerning rebounds, Western Kentucky permitted FIU to snag 36 in total (12 offensive).

Julius Thedford pitched in for the Hilltoppers in this contest. He accumulated 18 points in his 25 mins on the hardwood and totaled 1 assist for the contest. He made 7 of 12 in the game giving him a field goal percentage of 58.3%, and totaled 4 rebounds.

Western Kentucky has a win-loss record of 10-5 this season. The Hilltoppers are responsible for committing 17.7 fouls every game and they go 72.0% from the free throw line. They are earning an assist 12.3 times per contest (300th in college) and they lose possession by turning the ball over 12.3 times per contest. Western Kentucky has accounted for 1,185 points on the season (79.0 per game) and they grab 38.1 boards per contest. On the offensive side of the ball, the Hilltoppers are connecting on 43.9% from the field, which ranks 241st in the nation.

The Western Kentucky defense allows 32.3% on three-point shots (135 of 418) and their opponents are connecting on 74.5% of their shots from the charity stripe. They surrender 14.7 dimes and 40.7 boards every game, which is 296th and 356th in college hoops. The Hilltoppers on the defensive end are ranked 299th in Division 1 in PPG given up with 76.3. They are forcing 14.9 turnovers on a nightly basis and allow teams to shoot 40.7% from the floor (73rd in D-1).

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Western Kentucky

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