South Alabama vs Appalachian State 1/6/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Appalachian State Mountaineers and the South Alabama Jaguars meet in Sun Belt college hoops action from the Mitchell Center on Thursday night.

The Appalachian State Mountaineers will look to add to their 77-69 win over UL-Monroe last time out. Adrian Delph leads App State in scoring with 16 PPG with 4.9 RPG as the only double-digit scorer for App State up to this point in the year. Michael Almonacy has 9.6 PPG with a team-high 3.3 APG to lead the Mountaineers in assists. Justin Forrest and Donovan Gregory each have 9+ PPG while James Lewis Jr. leads the Mountaineers on the glass with 6 RPG as well this season. As a team, Appalachian State is averaging 67.7 PPG on 42% shooting from the field, 30.6% from three and 63.1% from the foul line while allowing 62.7 PPG on 42% shooting from the field and 30.3% from three this season.

The South Alabama Jaguars will look to bounce back from an 89-87 OT loss to UT-Arlington in their last game. Charles Manning Jr. leads South Alabama in scoring and assists with 17.9 PPG and 3.4 APG while Jay Jay Chandler has 15.3 PPG and Javon Franklin has 11 PPG with a team-high 7 RPG to lead the Jaguars on the glass while also capping off the trio of double-digit scorers for South Alabama so far this year. Alex Anderson also has 9.2 PPG with 4.4 RPG. As a team, South Alabama is averaging 74.3 PPG on 46.2% shooting from the field, 32% from three and 67.6% from the foul line while allowing 60.3 PPG on 40.1% shooting from the field and 30.2% from three this season.

Appalachian State is 0-5-1 ATS in their last 6 road games and 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall while the over is 5-2 in their last 7 games against a team with a winning record. South Alabama is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall while the over is 11-3 in their last 14 games following a loss.

I’m honestly surprised this line isn’t heavier. I expected a non-cover for App State at Duke, but the Mountaineers have been dreadful ATS on the road all year long and I just think this spot ends up being no different. The loss to UT-Arlington is disappointing if you’re South Alabama, but the Jaguars play their best ball at home this season as it is and I just think this is a spot where the Jaguars get themselves a win and cover.