The Alcorn State Braves and the Southern Jaguars meet Saturday in college basketball action from F.G. Clark Center.
Alcorn State enters this one at 6-9 so far. The Braves are on a three-game win streak, most recently beating Alabama State. As for Southern, they’re 7-8 this year. The Jaguars have won their last three straight games as well and are coming off a win over Alabama A&M. Check back all season long for free college basketball action at Sports Chat Place.
Alcorn State came into the year on an ugly 0-6 skid, but made up some ground with three straight wins after that. The Braves then lost three more games before taking out Mississippi Valley State, Alabama A&M and Alabama State in succession.
In the 68-59 win over Alabama State, the Braves held a slim 31-29 lead at halftime before surging the rest of the way. Troymain Crosby notched 23 points to lead the team in that victory.
Over on the Southern side, they started out the year on a sketchy 3-6 run through their first nine games. The Jaguars then went 1-2 in their next three games before a three-game win streak over AR-Pine Bluff, Alabama State and Alabama A&M.
In the 73-57 win over Alabama A&M on Wednesday, Southern’s top scorer was Samkelo Cele with 20 points, three rebounds and one assist. Jayden Saddler added 19 points with eight assists and four rebounds and Kirk Parker put up 10 boards with seven points.
The Jaguars are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 home games and 1-4 ATS in their last five overall. Southern is 12-3-2 ATS in their last 17 after an ATS win and the over is 10-3 in their last 13 home games.
Meanwhile, the Braves are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 Saturday games and 4-0 ATS in their last four road games. Alcorn State is 4-1 ATS in their last five as a favorite and the over is 25-8 in their last 33 road games.
PICK: I’m going to stick with Southern here. The Jaguars have been scoring pretty well over this three-game win streak, with 73 or more points in each outing. Alcorn State has been a little more sluggish scoring-wise in their three-game win streak, but defensively they’ve gotten the job done. That said, with both teams playing to their capabilities I think Southern has better odds on a cover.