Austin Peay vs North Florida Prediction College Basketball Picks 1/2/25

In this article, we will formulate an Austin Peay vs North Florida Prediction for this college basketball game on Thursday, January 2nd, at the UNF Arena. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:

-The Governors’ recent form and recent player performance 

-The Ospreys’ recent form and recent player performance

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Austin Peay

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving North Florida

-Recent betting trends in games played between Austin Peay and North Florida

-A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between the Goernors and Ospreys. 

The home team has won each of the eight games played between the two teams. 

Austin Peay Has Some Issues

Austin Peay has some issues and even though they are coming off a loss in the last game, this is still a team that has some things that need to be improved upon. Two games ago against Vanderbilt, Austin Peay scored only 55 points, while the defense gave up 85 points. In the last game against Brescia, Austin Peay scored 93 points and the defense gave up only 46 points. Tate McCubbin had a strong game putting up 20 points and eight rebounds. There were five different players that put up at least 11 points. 

Austin Peay on the season is averaging 65.1 points while their defense is giving up 70.1 points per game. The offense is ranked 345th in the league while the defense is ranked 151st. They are averaging only 12.7 free throw attempts per game and getting to the charity stripe more would be helpful. Guard LJ Thomas has been the top player for Austin Peay this season averaging 17.6 points while shooting 39.5 percent from the field and 23.1 percent from behind the three-point line. Austin Peay will face Jacksonville following this one.

North Florida Needs Better Defense

For the most part this season, North Florida’s offense has been strong, but their defense has been an issue and that has really let them down. Two games ago against UNC Asheville, the offense scored 81 points, but the defense gave up 95 points, and that led to the defeat. In the last game against Florida the offense scored 45 points, but the defense game up 99 points and that was a blowout loss. The Ospreys shot only 23.2 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from behind the three-point line. Liam Murphy was the top player putting up 13 points, three rebounds, and one assist. 

Overall this season North Florida is averaging 84.6 points while their defense is giving up 83.9 points per game. The offense is ranked 28th while the defense is ranked 358th. This is a team that likes to push the pace, but they haven’t had a lick of defense all season, and that has led to major struggles. They are averaging 68.82 shots attempted per game which is the most in all of college basketball. Forward Josh Harris is averaging 16.4 points while shooting 64.7 percent from the field and 53.8 percent from behind the three-point line. This game will come down to if they can play enough defense. North Florida will take on Lipscomb, Eastern Kentucky, and Bellarmine after this game.

Why North Florida Will Beat Austin Peay

• Austin Peay has lost each of its last seven road day games against Conference opponents.
• The home team has won seven of North Florida’s last eight games.
• Austin Peay has lost the first half in each of its last four road games.

Austin Peay vs North Florida Prediction

This is going to be the highest-scoring game of the day. North Florida speeds everyone up, and they have struggled to defend against just about everyone. Even an Austin Peay offense that is averaging only 65.1 points per game is going to have no issue running up the score here. North Florida’s offense will put on another show, going above their season average, and this game is going to be one with both teams shooting at an incredibly high percentage. Back the over to cash here with ease. 

Shane Mickle's Pick: Over