James Madison vs South Alabama Pick – Basketball Predictions & Odds 3/5/23

The South Alabama Jaguars and James Madison Dukes meet Sunday in the college basketball Sun Belt Semifinals at the Pensacola Bay Center. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

The South Alabama Jaguars are averaging 70.8 points on 46.6 percent shooting and allowing 65.3 points on 42.1 percent shooting. Isaiah Moore is averaging 18.5 points and 3.2 rebounds, while Kevin Samuel is averaging 10.3 points and 0.5 assists. Greg Parham II is dishing 1.9 assists and Tyrell Jones is grabbing 3.7 rebounds. The South Alabama Jaguars are shooting 34.1 percent from beyond the arc and 69.4 percent from the free throw line. The South Alabama Jaguars are allowing 29.3 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 30.2 rebounds per game.

The James Madison Dukes are averaging 81.2 points on 46.5 percent shooting and allowing 67.7 points on 42 percent shooting. Terrence Edwards is averaging 12.8 points and 4.9 rebounds, while Vado Morse is averaging 12.3 points and 2.2 assists. Takal Molson is the third double-digit scorer and Mezie Offurum is grabbing 5.4 rebounds. The James Madison Dukes are shooting 35.7 percent from beyond the arc and 71.2 percent from the free throw line. The James Madison Dukes are allowing 31.1 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.6 rebounds per game.

The Jaguars are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games and 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The Dukes are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The over is 5-1-1 in Jaguars last 7 neutral site games. The over is 3-1-1 in Dukes last 5 overall.

The South Alabama Jaguars are playing the better ball at the moment, but you can make a strong argument that the James Madison Dukes were the better team over the course of the season. The meeting this season was decided by one point. Both teams are solid and cover numbers. I’ll take my chances with the free bucket.