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Coastal Carolina vs. South Alabama Prediction and Odds (Bet Jaguars as Home Favorites)

By Reed Wallach

Mar 25, 2022; Greensboro, NC, USA; A general shot of the March Madness logo on the team's seats in
Mar 25, 2022; Greensboro, NC, USA; A general shot of the March Madness logo on the team's seats in / William Howard-USA TODAY Sports
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Looking for some college basketball ahead of the Final Four? Let me introduce you to The Basketball Classic.

The Basketball Classic semifinals go down on Monday night between a pair of Sun Belt Conference foes in Mobile, Alabama between Coastal Carolina and South Alabama.

USA got the win over the Chanticleers in the lone regular season meeting between the two, but now will face with higher stakes with a spot in the The Basketball Classic finals on the line.

Here are the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook:

Coastal Carolina vs. South Alabama Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Coastal Carolina: +1.5 (-110)
  • South Alabama: -1.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Coastal Carolina: +110
  • South Alabama: -130

Total: 138 (Over -110/Under -110)

Coastal Carolina vs. South Alabama Prediction and Pick

These two met back in February when South Alabama nabbed a three-point road victory, and I don't see CCU hanging on the road in this one.

South Alabama's defense is predicated around great ball pressure, generating turnovers at a top 50 clip in the country. That may spell poorly for Coastal, who is outside the top 300 in protecting the ball. The key for the Chanticleers will be if they can generate second chances (34th in offensive rebounding rate) and if they can get going from deep (shoot 35% from distance).

I'm going to trust the home team to win on the defensive end. The team is allowing the 63rd lowest effective field goal percentage in the nation, and their biggest flaw of fouling won't be exposed by their opponent, considering Coastal is shooting 69% from the charity stripe.

USA's offense doesn't come without concerns, but the team is efficient inside. Coastal's defense forces opponent's to shoot from the perimeter, 6th highest 3-point rate allowed, but I'm going to trust the ball handling of the Jaguars at home to get into the paint and finish. The team is top 60 nationally in 2-point field goal percentage and rank top 40 in near shot proximity.

South Alabama won as 1-point road favorites in February, and I'm going to take them as short home favorites in this one.

LEAN: South Alabama -1.5


You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!

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