Kennesaw State (8-5) vs Jacksonville State (8-5)
January 4, 2025 at 05:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Kennesaw State -1 / Jacksonville State +1 — Over/Under: 155.5
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks and the Kennesaw State Owls meet Saturday in college basketball action from KSU Convocation Center. Here’s a Jacksonville State vs Kennesaw State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Jacksonville State vs Kennesaw State pick. We will examine:
The Jacksonville State Gamecocks’ recent form and player performance
The Kennesaw State Owls’ recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Kennesaw State Owls
Recent betting trends in games played between Jacksonville State and Kennesaw State
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Jacksonville State vs Kennesaw State game
Jacksonville State Gamecocks Betting Preview
The Gamecocks got off to a pretty nice overall start this year, going 4-1 over their first five games. Jacksonville State’s only blemish in that time came versus Air Force. Otherwise, it was wins over LaGrange, Georgia State, Coastal Carolina, and East Carolina. A choppy 2-4 run came in the next half-dozen games, however. The Gamecocks beat Columbia International and Utah Valley in that stretch with losses otherwise to Toledo, James Madison, South Alabama, and Missouri. Since then it’s been consecutive wins over Eastern Kentucky and Fort Valley State for an 8-5 overall record this year.
Matched up against Fort Valley State on Monday, the Gamecocks came out of the break with a 58-40 advantage. Jacksonville State didn’t have much issue from there, rolling on a 53-30 second half toward a 111-70 blowout victory in the end. Leading the team in scoring was Jaron Pierre with 29 points and 10 assists for a double-double. Jao Ituka came off the bench for 17 points in 17 minutes, and Marcellus Brigham had 11 points with five boards and two assists.
Kennesaw State Owls Betting Preview
Over on the Kennesaw State side, they opened their season with a nice run as well, going 5-1 in their first six outings. The Owls lost to only Cal Baptist in that time; otherwise, it was wins over Toccoa Falls, Bryan TN, Presbyterian, Abilene Christian, and Rutgers. Kennesaw State has been on a rough 3-4 run over their last seven games. In that time it’s been wins over Towson, Georgia State, and Brewton-Parker alongside losses to UC Irvine, Kent State, Santa Clara, and San Jose State for an 8-5 overall record through 13 games this year.
In the Brewton-Parker matchup last Sunday, the Owls didn’t have too many issues. Kennesaw State hit a 57-31 advantage in the first half, then followed it up with a 55-46 second-half run for a 112-77 victory in the end. Leading the team in scoring were Adrian Wooley (eight rebounds and eight assists) and Simeon Cottle (three assists; two steals), each with 32 points. Also in double-figures during the victory was Braedan Lue with 14 points and four assists to his credit.
Why the Kennesaw State Owls will win
- Kennesaw State has won 18 of its last 20 day games at KSU Convocation Center.
- Jacksonville State has lost each of its last four games against Conference opponents.
- Jacksonville State has lost the first half in five of its last six road games against Conference opponents.
Why the Jacksonville State Gamecocks will win
- Jacksonville State has won three of its last four games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Jacksonville State vs Kennesaw State Prediction
I’ll stay with Jacksonville State, but you could probably call this one either way. It should be a pretty good matchup. The Gamecocks didn’t have much trouble in their last outing versus Fort Valley State, hitting a blistering 61.5 percent from the field and 52.4 percent (11-of-21) from 3-point range. Jacksonville State also owned the boards with a 44-24 advantage and posted 22 assists. That makes 70 or more points in six straight games, a 4-2 run for the Gamecocks.
As for Kennesaw State, they are also coming off an easy win versus Brewton-Parker. The Owls shot 50 percent from the field with 54 rebounds and 26 team assists in that one. Kennesaw State has been at 74 or more points in three of the last four games, going 2-2 in that stretch. I see this one as a high-scoring finish as well, with Jacksonville State eventually powering out the tight cover. It’ll be a fun one.