Mercer vs Georgia State 12/4/21 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds
Georgia State Panthers (4-2) vs. Mercer Bears (4-4)
December 4, 2021 2:00 pm EDT
The Line: Mercer Bears +2.5 / Georgia State Panthers -2.5; Over/Under: +145
(Get latest betting odds)
The Georgia State Panthers will travel to Hawkins Arena to take on the Mercer Bears this Saturday afternoon in College Basketball action.
The Georgia State Panthers had their 2-game winning streak and dropped to 4-2 on the season after being defeated by the Rhode Island Rams, 94-59, this past Saturday. Georgia State had no answers on either end of the court against Rhode Island and could not fight back after the Rams took a 57-43 lead with 14:01 left in the 2nd half. Georgia State shot just 31.1% from the field & 31.8% from beyond the arc while allowing Rhode Island to shoot 53.2% from the field & 53.6% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Panthers was Kane Williams who had 19 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 block, & 1 steal.
On the season, Georgia State is averaging 78.0 ppg on 43.8% shooting from the field. The Panthers are averaging 8.7 three-pointers per game on 37.4% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Georgia State has been led by Justin Roberts (18.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 2.2 spg), Corey Allen (17.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.3 spg), Kane Williams (16.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.5 apg, 2.2 spg), & Nelson Phillips (8.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 2.2 spg).
Defensively, Georgia State is allowing their opponents to average 69.6 ppg on 44.5% shooting from the field. The Panthers have a rebound margin of -1.0 and a turnover margin of 1.2.
The Mercer Bears won their 2nd straight game and improved to 4-4 on the season after defeating the Kennesaw State Owls, 73-71, this past Wednesday. Mercer led at halftime by a 39-34 margin and was able to hold off a late charge by Kennesaw State after taking a 64-54 lead with 5:27 left in the 2nd half. Mercer shot 51.0% from the field & 42.1% from beyond the arc while allowing Kennesaw State to shoot 42.9% from the field & 26.9% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Bears was Neftali Alvarez who had 16 points, 2 rebounds, & 3 assists.
On the season, Mercer is averaging 72.4 ppg on 44.9% shooting from the field. The Bears are averaging 8.8 three-pointers per game on 33.7% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Mercer has been led by Neftali Alvarez (16.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 4.1 apg, 1.5 spg), Felipe Haase (14.6 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.0 spg, 1.0 bpg), Jalen Johnson (13.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.1 spg), & James Glisson III (7.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.1 spg).
Defensively, Mercer is allowing their opponents to average 69.6 ppg on 44.5% shooting from the field. The Bears have a rebound margin of -1.0 and a turnover margin of 1.2.
The Panthers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600 & 3-9 ATS in their last 12 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. The Bears are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss & 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.
Georgia State has been solid on the offensive end this ranking 87th in scoring offense, however, the defense has struggled and currently rank just 187th in scoring offense & 216th in defensive FG%. Mercer comes into this game ranked 179th in scoring offense & t-198th in scoring defense.
Georgia State is a talented team, however, the Eagles have many question marks coming into this game as the Panthers were short-handed against Rhode Island and had to cancel their game on Wednesday against Tennessee State due to not having enough players due to injuries & COVID protocols. Mercer has won 3 of their last 4 games and between the fact that I think the Bears offense has success at home and that the Panthers just have too many question marks coming into this one, I think the play here is to take Mercer and the points. Good Luck!
