Sun Belt Conference Tournament Betting Preview & Free Sports Pick

Mar 10, 2017

sun belt conference tournament, sun belt conference betting preview, sun belt conference sports picks

These teams appear to be heading in opposite directions as Troy has won three straight games, including its Sun Belt Conference Tournament opener against Appalachian State.  The Trojans have also won seven of their last 9 games overall, covering the spread in five of those affairs.

Meanwhile, Georgia Southern limps into the Sun Belt Conference Tournament having lost two straight and five of its last 7 games overall. However, the Eagles have covered the spread in three consecutive games and are 5-1 ATS in their last six games versus .501 or greater opposition.

More importantly, Georgia Southern is 23-12 ATS versus teams with a winning record over the last three seasons, including a perfect 7-0 ATS in the second half of the season.  In contrast, the Trojans are a money-burning 8-21 ATS in their last 29 games as favorites, including 2-8-1 ATS in their last eleven games as road favorites.

Georgia Southern possesses a slightly above-average offense that is 2.4 points per game better than average (76.5 points per game against teams that would combine to allow 74.1 points per game).

The fact that the Eagles have made 40.7% of their three-point field goal attempts over the last five games 39.2% in conference play this season make them prime candidates to pull the upset in the Quarterfinal Round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

I don’t like the idea of laying points with a subpar Troy defense that is 1.1 points per game worse than average (72.5 points per game to teams that would combine to average 71.4 points per game).  The Trojans are also 8-10 on the road where they have allowed 74.9 points per game.

My greatest concern about Georgia Southern is its inability to convert from the foul line.  Specifically, the Eagles are making just 66.5% of their free throw attempts this season, including 62.9% over their last five games. The Trojans are shooting 72.3% from the charity stripe, including 74.1% in conference play.

However, my math model actually favors Georgia Southern by 1.3 points so grab the +2 with the Eagles as Oskeim Sports’ Free Pick in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.

Oskeim Sports’ Free Sun Belt Conference Pick: Georgia Southern (+2)