James Madison Dukes vs South Alabama Jaguars NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/21/24

Betting on today’s Dukes and Jaguars game? Catch the action at Mitchell Center in Mobile, AL, as the Jaguars hosts this showdown at 2:00 ET on ESPN+. In this Sun Belt matchup, James Madison is favored bt -1.5 vs. South Alabama. The over/under for the game is 136.5 points.

JAMES MADISON DUKES VS SOUTH ALABAMA JAGUARS BETTING PICK

The Pick: South Alabama Jaguars +1.5

This game will be played at Mitchell Center at 2:00 ET on Saturday, December 21st.

WHY BET THE SOUTH ALABAMA JAGUARS:

• We have this one finishing with a projected score of 74-72 in favor of the Jaguars.
• Not only will South Alabama pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +1.5.
• The over/under is currently sitting at 136.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 146 points.

Can the Dukes Offense Score Enough on the Road?

James Madison Dukes Recent Game/Games

The Dukes fell to 5-5 on the season after a 75-58 loss to Wake Forest on Tuesday. James Madison entered the game as +8 point underdogs and didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game ended at 133, just under the O/U line of 135.5.

James Madison led 32-31 at halftime, but they struggled in the 2nd half, scoring only 26 points while allowing 44.

James Madison struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 37.9% from the field and finishing with an effective field goal percentage of 44.8%. They connected on 8 of 24 three-point attempts, shooting 33.3% from deep, and hit 6 of 9 free throws for a 66.7% rate.

Hunter Sallis was a standout, scoring 27 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, shooting 60.0% from the field and 40.0% from three. Cameron Hildreth added 18 points, hitting 62.5% of his shots and 66.7% from beyond the arc.

James Madison’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 75 points on 50% shooting from the field. The Dukes allowed the opposing team to hit 63% of their two-point attempts, with 23 makes on 36 tries.

From beyond the arc, James Madison held their opponent to 29% shooting, as they connected on 7 of 24 three-point attempts. The Dukes also sent them to the free-throw line 13 times, where they made 8, shooting 61%.

Can the Jaguars Pull Out the Win as Home Underdogs?

South Alabama’s season record dropped to 6-4 after a 58-49 road loss to TCU on Monday. Despite being +12.5 point underdogs, the Jaguars kept the game closer than expected, covering the spread.

Trailing 30-28 at halftime, South Alabama managed just 21 points in the 2nd half while allowing 28. The game’s total points of 107 fell well short of the 136.5 O/U line.

South Alabama struggled offensively in their last game, scoring just 49 points while shooting 33.3% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 39.2%, and they hit only 26.9% of their three-point attempts, going 7-for-26 from deep.

Barry Dunning Jr. led the way with 17 points, shooting 50% from both the field and beyond the arc. Vasean Allette added 14 points, despite hitting just 1 of 5 from three, and Trazarien White contributed 13 points, shooting 2-for-9 from long range.

South Alabama’s defense held their opponent to just 58 points, with a field goal percentage of 38% (21/55). They allowed 16 two-point baskets on 29 attempts, giving up a 55% shooting rate inside the arc.

From three-point range, the Jaguars limited their opponent to 5/26 shooting, or 19%. They also sent them to the free-throw line 17 times, where they made 11 free throws, shooting 64%. South Alabama gave up 14 offensive rebounds.