LSU vs Georgia Preview: Bulldogs Favored in SEC Matchup
Georgia Riding 7-1 ATS Run
The LSU Tigers (11-7) visit the Georgia Bulldogs (13-5) in an early start Wednesday. Both college basketball teams are 3-2 in Southeastern Conference play, two games behind Auburn. The Tigers come into this one off a 73-69 home loss to Texas A&M. The Bulldogs fell to Kentucky 105-96 as 14-point underdogs. This is the first of two meetings between the two teams this season. The LSU vs Georgia preview shows the Bulldogs are favored by 3.5 points, and the total on the game is at 156.
Tigers vs Bulldogs 
Day/Time:
Location: Stegeman Coliseum, Athens, Georgia
Streaming: Watch Live Sports
LSU Struggling as Underdogs
The Tigers enter the contest with an 11-7 record but are just 7-11 against the NCAAB odds. LSU is even worse as an underdog, going just 1-5 ATS. The Tigers have to play better in that role, as they have two games with Alabama and one with Tennessee in their next five. LSU is 9-9 in totals this season, but have gone 5-2 on the road.
Offensively, the Tigers aren’t bad. LSU plays at a fast tempo that does lead to some turnovers but shoots the ball well. The Tigers are hitting 46% of their field goal attempts, making 53.4% on 2-pointers and 33.8% on 3-pointers. Those numbers have dropped a little since conference play started. LSU is shooting 48.9% inside the arc and 33.1% on 3-pointers in SEC play.
On defense, LSU allows just 39.7% shooting and has improved those numbers in conference play. The Tigers are allowing just 27.7% on 3-pointers in conference play and 46.1% on 2-point attempts.
But the opposition has picked up the pace a bit, so the improvement isn’t necessarily showing up on the NCAAB scoreboard. The Tigers are also sending the opposition to the foul line too much in SEC play. LSU ranks No. 11 in the conference regarding foul shots against.
Georgia Playing Well Last 2 Months
After a bit of a slow start to the season, Georgia has gotten its act together. Since Nov. 24, the Bulldogs are 11-2, losing only to Kentucky and Tennessee by single digits.
The SEC schedule gets more challenging, so these are the games the Bulldogs can’t afford to lose if they want to make the NCAA basketball tournament. Georgia is 10-7-1 against the spread this season and 9-9 in totals. The Bulldogs are 10-1 at home, although they’re just 6-4 against the spread.
Offensively, Georgia doesn’t shoot the ball that well from the inside. But the Bulldogs can knock down some 3-pointers. Georgia does a good job of getting to the foul line and keeping turnovers down. The Bulldogs are a little below average in grabbing offensive rebounds. Georgia’s SEC 2-point shooting percentage of 45.8% is No. 12 in the conference.
The Bulldogs don’t force many turnovers on defense and allow some second chances. But they defend well, ranking No. 49 in the KenPom defensive efficiency ratings. Georgia’s defensive numbers have increased a bit, although playing Tennessee and Kentucky will tend to do that to a team.
What to Expect
Neither team runs up-and-down the court, but both play at a quick pace. That’s unlikely to change too much in this NCAA basketball game. Both teams are going to stick with what works for them. LSU is going to take its share of 3-pointers, although Georgia does a decent job defending the outside.
The LSU vs Georgia preview expects the Bulldogs to take some outside shots. But LSU has been defending the perimeter in conference play.
Who to Bet On?
The point spread of Georgia -3.5 does appear to be a little bit on the low side. The Bulldogs are playing well and have done a decent job against the spread this season. The Tigers haven’t fared well against the NCAAB odds so far this NCAAB season. LSU’s record as an underdog has been poor, and the Bulldogs are 5-0 against the spread in conference play.
The LSU vs Georgia preview notes that Georgia is averaging 80 points per game and allowing 78.6 in SEC play. But much of that has to do with the games against the Volunteers and Kentucky.
The Bulldogs are seeing 142.7 points per game against South Carolina, Arkansas and Missouri. While Georgia scores 33.8% of its points on 3-pointers, LSU has been tough defending the perimeter.
The best value on this game is going to be to play the under 156. A lot will have to happen right for both teams offensively to push the game over the number. The chances are at least one of the two teams won’t have a great shooting night, and Georgia should focus on defense a little bit after allowing 105 points.
For NCAAB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
