South Carolina vs Rider 11/28/2021 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Rider Broncs will travel to Colonial Life Arena to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks this Sunday afternoon in College Basketball action.

The Rider Broncs snapped a 3-game losing streak and improved to 3-4 on the season after defeating the Bucknell Bison, 85-79, this past Wednesday. Rider was outstanding from beyond the arc against Bucknell and was able to pull away late after an 11-0 Broncs run gave Rider an 80-73 lead with 1:08 left in regulation. Rider shot 42.6% from the field & 47.1% from beyond the arc while allowing Bucknell to shoot 44.6% from the field & 32.1% from beyond the arc. Rider was outrebounded by Bucknell by a 39-33 margin, however, won the turnover battle by a 16-8 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Broncs was Mervin James who had 23 points, 6 rebounds, & 3 steals.

On the season, Rider is averaging 69.0 ppg on 38.3% shooting from the field. The Broncs are averaging 5.7 three-pointers per game on 27.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Rider has been led by Dwight Murray Jr. (16.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.3 spg), Dimencio Vaughn (12.3 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.1 spg, 1.0 bpg), Mervin James (9.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.3 spg), & Allen Powell (7.6 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.3 apg).

Defensively, Rider is allowing their opponents to average 71.7 ppg on 40.8% shooting from the field. The Broncs have a rebound margin of 0.7 and a turnover margin of 3.3.

The South Carolina Gamecocks won their 3^rd straight game and improved to 4-1 on the season after defeating the Wofford Terriers, 85-74, this past Tuesday. South Carolina had no trouble generating offense against Wofford and pulled away in the 2^nd half after taking a 74-60 lead with 5:10 left in regulation. South Carolina shot 59.6% from the field & 54.5% from beyond the arc while allowing Wofford to shoot 38.6% from the field & 34.3% from beyond the arc. South Carolina lost the turnover battle by a 17-14 margin, however, did outrebound Wofford by a 30-24 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Gamecocks was Erik Stevenson who had 25 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, & 2 steals.

On the season, South Carolina is averaging 73.2 ppg on 43.8% shooting from the field. The Gamecocks are averaging 7.4 three-pointers per game on 33.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, South Carolina has been led by Erik Stevenson (14.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.6 spg, 1.2 bpg), Jermaine Couisnard (13.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.2 spg), James Reese V (11.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.8 spg), & Wildens Leveque (10.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.2 spg).

Defensively, South Carolina is allowing their opponents to average 65.4 ppg on 38.6% shooting from the field. The Gamecocks have a rebound margin of 10.4 and a turnover margin of -0.6.

The Broncs are just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games & 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games overall. The Gamecocks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Sunday games, however, are just 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games overall.

South Carolina has had an impressive run of games as of late, with quality wins over Western Kentucky, UAB, & Wofford, however, this is still a team that I think doesn’t have that much offensive firepower and is going to start to struggle when they get into conference play. Rider hasn’t had a great start to their season as they have struggled on both ends of the court, however, the defense has been better as of late, and the Broncs come into this game ranked 134^th in defensive FG% & 78^th in turnover margin. Rider has a solid duo in Dwight Murray Jr. & Dimencio Vaughn and as I think they will be able to generate some offense on turnovers, I think the Broncs will do enough with the points to cover in this one. Good Luck!