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La. Tech Bulldogs @ Jax. State Gamecocks

Current Records: La. Tech 13-4, Jax. State 9-7

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Jax. State will be in front of their home fans on Thursday, but a look at the spread shows they might need that home-court advantage. They and the La. Tech Bulldogs will face off in a Conference USA battle at 7:00 p.m. ET at Pete Mathews Coliseum. The Gamecocks are strutting in with some offensive muscle as they've averaged 79.2 points per game this season.

Last Saturday, Jax. State ended up a good deal behind Middle Tennessee and lost 81-64. The over/under was set at 145 points, so nice work oddsmakers; you were right on the money.

The loss doesn't tell the whole story though, as several players had good games. One of the most active was Jaron Pierre Jr., who almost dropped a double-double on 22 points and nine rebounds. He had some trouble finding his footing against Western Kentucky on Thursday, so this was a step in the right direction.

Even though they lost, Jax. State smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 14 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least ten offensive rebounds in six consecutive contests.

Meanwhile, La. Tech was able to grind out a solid victory over Liberty on Saturday, taking the game 79-74. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Bulldogs.

La. Tech's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but Daniel Batcho led the charge by dropping a double-double on 24 points and 12 rebounds. Another player making a difference was Sean Newman Jr., who went 11 for 16 en route to 27 points plus eight assists.

Jax. State's loss dropped their record down to 9-7. As for La. Tech, their win was their fifth straight at home, which pushed their record up to 13-4.

Thursday's game is shaping up to be a masterclass in shooting: Jax. State just can't miss this season, having made 47% of their field goals per game. However, it's not like La. Tech struggles in that department as they've made 49.3% of their field goals this season. Given these competing strengths, it'll be interesting to see how their clash plays out.

Jax. State came up short against La. Tech when the teams last played back in February of 2024, falling 63-58. Will Jax. State have more luck at home instead of on the road?

Odds

La. Tech is a slight 2.5-point favorite against Jax. State, according to the latest college basketball odds.

The oddsmakers had a good feel for the line for this one, as the game opened with the Bulldogs as a 1.5-point favorite.


The over/under is 141.5 points.

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Series History

La. Tech has won both of the games they've played against Jax. State in the last year.

  • Feb 15, 2024 - La. Tech 63 vs. Jax. State 58
  • Jan 20, 2024 - La. Tech 74 vs. Jax. State 57