Mercer Bears vs Georgia State Panthers NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 12/28/24
The Bears and Panthers are set to face off at 2:00 ET on ESPN+. The Panthers will host the game at GSU Convocation Center in Atlanta, GA. This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 155.5 points, and Georgia State is favored by -1.5 vs. Mercer.
MERCER BEARS VS GEORGIA STATE PANTHERS BETTING PICK
The Pick: Georgia State Panthers -1.5
This game will be played at GSU Convocation Center at 2:00 ET on Saturday, December 28th.
WHY BET THE GEORGIA STATE PANTHERS:
- We have this one finishing with a projected score of 78-70 in favor of the Panthers.
- Not only will Georgia State pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -1.5.
- The over/under is currently sitting at 155.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 148 points.
Can the Mercer Offense Score Enough on the Road?
Mercer Bears Recent Game/Games
The Bears dropped to 4-6 this season after a 102-97 road loss to Winthrop on Saturday. Mercer entered the game as +8 point underdogs but managed to cover the spread.
Mercer trailed 44-36 at halftime but exploded for 61 points in the 2nd half, while allowing 58. The game’s total points of 199 easily surpassed the O/U line of 160.5.
Mercer’s offense put up 97 points in their latest game, shooting 47.2% from the field and hitting 44% of their threes (11/25). Their effective field goal percentage was 55.6%, and they connected on 69.2% of their free throws (18/26), while grabbing 12 offensive rebounds and dishing out 16 assists.
Ahmad Robinson led the way with 27 points and 7 assists, while Nick Johnson and Kasen Harrison each added 22 points, shooting 63.6% from the field. Tyler Johnson hit 5 threes at a 55.6% clip, finishing with 19 points, and Bryce Baker was perfect from deep, going 4/5 from beyond the arc.
Mercer’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 102 points on 54% shooting. They allowed 58% from two-point range, with the opposing team hitting 20 of 34 shots.
From beyond the arc, Mercer’s defense gave up 11 threes on 23 attempts, a 47% clip. The opposing team also went to the line 48 times, making 29 free throws.
Can the Panthers Live Up to the Hype at Home?
Georgia State’s season struggles continued with a 77-57 loss to Troy on Saturday, dropping their record to 3-8. The Panthers were +11.5 point underdogs going into the game and failed to cover the spread.
After trailing 39-25 at halftime, Georgia State scored 32 points in the 2nd half while allowing 38. The game’s total points of 134 fell short of the 147.5 O/U line.
Georgia State’s offense struggled in their last game, putting up just 57 points on 40.7% shooting from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 46.3%, and they hit only 25% of their three-point attempts, going 6-for-24 from beyond the arc. At the free-throw line, they connected on just 7 of 15 attempts, shooting 46.7%.
Myles Rigsby led the Panthers with 22 points, hitting 3 of 5 threes and shooting 60% overall. Jelani Hamilton added 18 points, making 5 of 11 from deep, while Tayton Conerway contributed 13 points and 5 assists, shooting 71.4% from the field.
Georgia State’s defense gave up 77 points, with their opponents shooting 43% from the field (26/60). They allowed 52% shooting on two-pointers (19/36).
From beyond the arc, Georgia State held their opponents to 29% shooting (7/24). They also sent them to the line 25 times, where they made 18 free throws (72%).