LA-Monroe vs Southern Miss 12/18/21 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds
Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (4-6) vs. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (6-4)
December 18, 2021 3:00 pm EDT
The Line: Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks -8.5 ; Over/Under: 137.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Southern Miss Golden Eagles and the UL Monroe Warhawks meet Saturday in college basketball action from Fant-Ewing Coliseum. Southern Miss is sitting at 4-6 overall. The Eagles are coming off a loss to Jacksonville. As for the Warhawks, they’re 6-4 so far. UL Monroe beat Stephen F. Austin in their last outing. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Southern Miss managed to go 4-2 over their first six games this year, notching wins over William Carey, Lamar, UNC Wilmington and UC San Diego. Since then it’s been four straight losses to Montana, South Alabama, SIU and Jacksonville.
In the matchup versus Jacksonville, the Eagles fell behind 29-19 in the first half and ultimately didn’t get any closer in a 62-51 loss. Top scorer Jaron Pierre put up 18 points with three rebounds and one assist.
Over on the Warhawks’ side, they won just two of their first six games over Champion Christian and Northwestern State. UL Monroe has been on a four-game win streak since then however, beating Centenary, Northwestern State, Louisiana College and Stephen F. Austin.
Matched up against the Lumberjacks this week, the Warhawks posted 39 points in the first half and 43 more from there in a nice 82-69 win. Nika Metskhvarishvili finished on 21 points with six rebounds and 4-of-6 from 3-point range.
The Warhawks are 4-0 ATS in their last four at home and 5-1 ATS in their last six after a straight-up win. UL Monroe is 4-1 ATS in their last five overall.
Meanwhile, the Eagles are 0-4 ATS in their last four Saturday games and 1-6 ATS in their last seven after a straight-up loss. Southern Miss is 5-15-1 ATS in the last 21 overall.
PICK: I’m going to stick with UL Monroe. The Warhawks are coming off a good effort against a solid Stephen F. Austin team, shooting 54.2 percent from the floor with 30 rebounds and 19 team assists. UL Monroe shot a nice 52.4 percent (11-of-21) from 3-point range as well; they’re on a good run over the last four games.
As for Southern Miss, it’s been a struggle lately. The Eagles haven’t hit more than 62 points in any of their last five outings. That streak may halt here, but I don’t think it’ll be enough to cover.
