NC Central vs. LSU Prediction and Odds for Tuesday, December 13 (Shooting Regression and a Slow Pace From LSU)
By Josh Yourish
8-1 sounds like a pretty good record this far into the season, but I’m not sure how good the LSU Tigers really are. Of their last four wins, their biggest was a four-point win over TX-Arlington, and their last game was a 72-70 win over Wake Forest. The Tigers keep winning games, but they might need to make a statement before they get into SEC play. This could be a good spot for a blow-out win as big favorites over NC Central. The Eagles are 5-5 and coming off a 90-78 loss to Marquette.
It’s a big spread in this one, so let’s get to the odds and the total.
NC Central vs. LSU Odds, Spread and Total
NC Central vs. LSU Prediction and Pick
LSU barely escaped against Wake Forest while shooting 38.5% from three, they made ten three-pointers, and that is concerning for their prospects in this game if their shooting regresses. This team does not shoot the ball well, their season average is 26.6% from deep and there is no reason to believe that 38% will be the new normal. KJ Williams is the Tigers’ leading scorer and against Wake he dropped 35 points. He will be a handful in the front court for NC Central, averaging 18.7 points this year.
NC Central is 5-5, but only seven of their games have had lines and in six of those, they have gone over the total. As a team they’re shooting over 40% from deep and play at a faster pace than LSU, so there is a chance that they get hot and hang around in this one.
I’m not sure even with Williams playing as well as he is, if LSU can blow anybody out, they haven’t done it much of the year and I don’t think they will tonight even against a much inferior opponent. I like NC Central against the spread, but I think the better play is the under. LSU’s athleticism will make it hard for the Eagles to shoot the ball as well as they do, and there is no way that the Tigers keep shooting nearly 40% from deep.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change