The FIU Golden Panthers (2-3) will be at home in FIU Arena when they clash against the South Carolina Gamecocks (3-1). The games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 134 points with South Carolina set as an 18.5-point favorite. Action begins at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, November 27, 2017, and it can be seen on CBS Sports Network.
South Carolina Gamecocks vs. FIU Golden Panthers Free Preview
The Gamecocks beat the Western Michigan Broncos in their last contest, 79-66. With 14 points and five rebounds, South Carolinas Chris Silva played well. The Gamecocks forced 22 turnovers and held the Broncos to an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.2 (below their season average of 32.7).
In the Golden Panthers last matchup, they topped the Concordia University-St. Paul Golden Bears, 77-67. With 23 points on 6-for-13 shooting, Trejon Jacob was the games high scorer. FIU dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a superb turnover percentage of 9.4 (better than their season average of 14.7) and a free throw rate of 0.327 (above their season average of 0.172). Concordia University-St. Paul was 16.2 and 0.241, respectively, for those same stats.
The offense of FIU will square off against the elite defense of South Carolina. Dating back to the 2016-17 season, the Golden Panthers rank 232nd in offensive efficiency, while the Gamecocks are sixth in defensive efficiency. The Gamecocks should have the edge on that end of the court.
Since last season, the Gamecocks are 25-11 straight up (SU) and 20-18-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has been fairly accurate when setting the O/U total of South Carolina games since last season with 20 unders compared to 17 overs.
The Golden Panthers, on the other hand, are 9-27 SU and 12-13-2 ATS since last season. Games including FIU have had a tendency to go over the O/U total over that same time frame (65.4 percent).
The Gamecocks won the lone contest against the Golden Panthers last season, 70-54. The Gamecocks played a nearly flawless game. They had a turnover percentage of 11.5 and a superb offensive rebounding percentage of 28.2. For those same stats, the Golden Panthers were 30.2 and 23.3, respectively.
South Carolina Gamecocks at FIU Golden Panthers ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – South Carolina, ATS Winner – South Carolina, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Gamecocks rank 119th in rebounds per game (36.7) while the Golden Panthers rank 238th (34.5).
- South Carolina ranks 195th in three pointers attempted per game (20.4) while FIU ranks 264th (18.6).
- South Carolina ranks third in assists allowed per game (10.0) while FIU ranks 183rd (13.5).
- The Gamecocks rank 100th in blocks per game (3.8) while the Golden Panthers rank 259th (2.3).
- South Carolina averages 7.6 steals per game, which ranks 31st in the nation. FIU ranks 179th in steals allowed per game (6.3).
