Mercer Bears vs South Carolina Gamecocks NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/21/24
Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Bears versus the Gamecocks? Tip off is at at 7:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on SEC. The game will be played at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC. The odds for this non-conference game currently have South Carolina as the -18 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 152.5 points.
MERCER BEARS VS SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Mercer Bears +18
This game will be played at Colonial Life Arena at 7:00 ET on Thursday, November 21st.
WHY BET THE MERCER BEARS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-71 in favor of the Gamecocks.
- Even though we have South Carolina winning straight-up, we like Mercer at +18.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 152.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 148 points.
Is a Road Win Possible for the Bears?
Mercer Bears Recent Game/Games
Mercer fell to South Alabama 75-66 on Saturday, November 16th. The Bears were +5.5 point underdogs going into the game and did not cover the spread. The total points for the game were 141, falling short of the O/U line of 151.5.
After trailing 42-32 at halftime, Mercer tightened up defensively in the 2nd half, allowing just 33 points while scoring 34 of their own. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the early deficit.
Mercer’s offense struggled from the field in their last game, shooting just 37.9% overall, but they hit 12 threes at a 37.5% rate. Their effective field goal percentage was 48.3%, and they were nearly perfect from the line, going 10/11 for 90.9%.
Myles Corey and Tyler Johnson were the standouts, with Corey scoring 28 points and Johnson adding 26, hitting 6 threes at 54.5%. Ahmad Robinson contributed 16 points and 7 assists, while Judah Brown shot 66.7% from the field.
Mercer’s defense gave up 75 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 41% from the field. They allowed 17 two-point baskets on 28 attempts, a 60% success rate.
From beyond the arc, Mercer’s defense held their opponents to 25% shooting, with 8 made threes on 32 attempts. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 25 times, where they converted 17 free throws, shooting 68%. Mercer gave up 12 offensive rebounds.
Can the South Carolina Offense Score Enough at Home?
South Carolina dropped to 1-2 on the season after an 87-71 loss to Indiana on Saturday. The Gamecocks, who were +8.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 158, exceeding the O/U line of 143.5.
South Carolina was down 43-32 at halftime and couldn’t close the gap in the 2nd half, as they were outscored 44-39.
South Carolina put up 71 points in their last game, shooting just 38.1% from the field, with an effective field goal percentage of 44.4%. They struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only 27.6% of their threes (8/29), while connecting on 47.1% of their two-point attempts. At the free-throw line, they made 15 of 23 attempts, good for 65.2%.
Myles Rice led the Gamecocks with 23 points, shooting 70% from the field and 75% from three (3/4). Morris Ugusuk added 18 points, hitting 4 of 6 from deep, while Mackenzie Mgbako chipped in 17 points on 62.5% shooting. Nick Pringle contributed 11 rebounds, and Jamarii Thomas dished out 4 assists.
South Carolina’s defense struggled, giving up 87 points on 51% shooting. They allowed 18 two-pointers on 34 attempts, a 52% success rate for the opposing team.
From beyond the arc, the Gamecocks gave up 8 threes on 17 attempts, with the other team shooting 47%. South Carolina also sent them to the line 33 times, where they hit 27 free throws, an 81% rate.