South Carolina State vs. Morgan State - 2/17/20 College Basketball Pick, Odds, and Prediction
Photo by Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Morgan State Bears (13-14) at South Carolina State Bulldogs (11-12)
College Basketball: Monday, February 17, 2020 at 7:30 pm (Smith-Hammond-Middleton Center)
The Line: South Carolina State Bulldogs -1 -- Over/Under: 142 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Morgan State Bears will travel to the S-H-M Memorial Center to take on the South Carolina State Bulldogs this Monday night in College Basketball action.
The Morgan State Bears lost their 2nd straight game and dropped to 13-14 (7-5 MEAC) on the season after being defeated by the Norfolk State Spartans, 62-57, this past Saturday. Morgan State trailed by a 51-36 margin with 6:33 left in regulation, and although they fought back into the game with an ensuing 10-0 run, the Bears couldn’t get enough stops late to complete the come from behind victory. Morgan State shot 35.6% from the field and 20.0% from beyond the arc in the loss. Leading the way for the Bears was Stanley Davis who had a double-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.
On the season, Morgan State is averaging 69.9 ppg on 42.3% shooting from the field. The Bears are averaging 5.3 three-pointers per game on 28.5% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Morgan State has been led by Stanley Davis (13.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.2 apg), Troy Baker Jr. (11.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.0 bpg), and Sherwyn Devonish-Prince Jr. (9.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.0 apg).
Defensively, Morgan State is allowing their opponents to average 70.6 ppg on 40.6% shooting from the field. The Bears have a rebound margin of 3.6 and a turnover margin of -1.9.
The South Carolina State Bulldogs won their 2nd straight game and improved to 11-12 (6-5 MEAC) on the season after defeating the Coppin State Eagles, 70-66, this past Saturday. South Carolina State was solid offensively agianst the Eagles and was able to hang on the for the victory in the 2nd half after taking a 37-27 halftime lead. South Carolina State shot 45.3% from the field and outrebounded Coppin State by a 39-30 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Bulldogs was Rayshawn Neal who had a double-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and a steal.
On the season, South Carolina State is averaging 70.7 ppg on 43.8% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs are averaging 5.4 three-pointers per game on 32.0% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, South Carolina State has been led by Damani Applewhite (13.7 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 1.0 apg), Tashombe Riley (10.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg), and Rayshawn Neal (9.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.8 apg).
Defensively, South Carolina State is allowing their opponents to average 76.3 ppg on 47.4% shooting from the field. The Bulldogs have a rebound margin of 1.8 and a turnover margin of -2.5.
The Bears are 3-7 ATS in their lats 10 games and just 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games vs. South Carolina State. The Bulldogs are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite.
Morgan State comes into this game ranked 219th in scoring offense, 208th in scoring defense, and 70th in defensive FG%.
South Carolina State comes into this game ranked 196th in scoring offense, 317th in scoring defense, and 340th in defensive FG%.
South Carolina State has been solid at home this season, posting an 8-2 record, however, between the fact that Morgan State defeated the Bulldogs by a 14-point margin at home earlier this season and that I think their offense will have success against the below average Bulldogs defense, I’m taking Morgan State and the points in this one. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Morgan State Bears +1
AUTHOR: Brett Nault

Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05