Louisiana vs South Alabama

South Alabama enters this matchup riding a dominant six-game winning streak, while Louisiana has lost four straight and is struggling to find consistency on both ends of the floor. The Jaguars have been powered by their explosive backcourt, and guard Barry Dunning Jr. has historically torched Louisiana, averaging 18.5 points per game against them over the last two seasons. Adding to Louisiana’s troubles, star forward Marcus Holloway is sidelined with an ankle injury, further weakening a team that is already struggling to defend the paint. While Louisiana's moneyline offers considerable value, their recent slide and injury concerns make them tough to back, especially on the road. South Alabama holds a firm grip on a Sun Belt Tournament berth and should take care of business at home. Given the steep odds, this pick doesn’t offer major value, but it remains the safer play.

South Alabama enters this matchup riding a three-game win streak, thanks in large part to their strong defensive play, holding opponents under 65 points per game in that stretch. Louisiana, on the other hand, has dropped four in a row, struggling to find consistent offensive production. Adding to the Ragin' Cajuns’ woes, starting guard Kobe Julien remains out with a knee injury, depleting their scoring depth. Historically, South Alabama’s leading scorer, Barry Dunning Jr. has had trouble against Louisiana’s perimeter defense, averaging just 10 points in their last two meetings. With two defensive-minded teams colliding and the Jaguars dictating a slow tempo, this game is shaping up to be a low-scoring affair. Expect the under to cash, but with a modest risk due to potential late-game free throws.