Free College Basketball Pick of the Day (2/19/24)
Author: Dylan Lieck | February 19, 2024 | 4:53 P.M. CST
Note: This is not an official bet in my portfolio, but a strong lean for my free pick of the day (I would not wager more than .5 to 1 unit on these). But they are going to hit at a higher rate than most people giving out picks. Official picks are usually 2 units for me for college hoops (for reference).
Game: Lamar (14-11) @ Southeast Louisiana (13-13)
Line: SE Louisiana -1.5 | Lamar +1.5
Location: University Center (SE Louisiana Home Gymnasium, Hammond, LA)
Time: 6:00 P.M. CST
Summary:
These two teams come into this matchup in a logjam atop the Southland Conference Standings, with a number of teams fighting for second place. McNeese State is alone atop the Southland at a 23-3 overall record, but more importantly 12-1 in conference. Lamar is in a three-way tie for second place, sitting at 8-4 in the conference. SE Louisiana on the other hand sits 8-5, just one game back in the loss column of Lamar, as well as Texas A&M CC and Nicholls State. Thus, this is a massive game for SE Louisiana to continue climbing in the rankings.
After a rough 2-5 start to conference play, the Lions of SE Louisiana have won 6 straight conference games to get right back in the thick of things in the race for 2nd place. The Lions last loss came against none other than, Lamar. Going into that game Lamar was 5-2 in conference play, but they’ve won just 3 of their last 5 as they’ve cooled off considerably. Thus we have two teams coming into this game in completely different forms. SE Louisiana has not only won 6 straight coming into this game, but they also did what no other Southland team has been able to do this season: Beat McNeese State.
The Lions pulled the upset at home, where they have won 4-straight. In fact their last loss at home came over a month ago in mid-January. On the other hand we have a Lamar team that comes into this game that does not play well on the road. In fact, the Cardinals are undefeated at home in Southland Conference play (a perfect 6-0), while ALL four of their losses in conference play have come on the road. They are just 2-4 on the road against Southland opponents, and they have dropped games away from home to teams much worse than SE Louisiana. The Cardinals lost games to both Houston Christian and Incarnate Word. So it’s not as though they are just losing on the road to good teams. They have a legitimate issue playing away from home.
In addition to the Home Court advantage, I also like that SE Louisiana is playing a revenge game here. Lamar is the last opponent to beat them in conference play, and they’ve gone on a tear since. I believe they are going to come out extremely motivated to take down the Cardinals and avenge their most recent loss.
Lastly, I really like the way SE Louisiana plays. Not only are they the BEST three point shooting team in the Southland conference, but they are one of the better three point shooting teams in the country. The Rams have 5 players who shoot the ball at 35% or better from beyond the arc. That’s going to play a huge role here as the Cardinals have struggled to defend the three-point line, especially on the road. I see a huge shooting day from the Rams in this spot.
All of those factors together, you can easily guess with who we are going with for our free pick of the day. Back the RAMS of Southeast Louisiana and lay the 1.5 points. I like them in this spot, and I believe they are going to win this game by 7+ points.
FREE PICK OF THE DAY: SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA -1.5
