The Jacksonville State Gamecocks and the Central Arkansas Bears meet Wednesday in college basketball action from Farris Center. Jacksonville State is currently 11-18 on the year. The Gamecocks lost to Liberty in their last outing. As for Central Arkansas, they’re 9-20 following a loss to Bellarmine on Sunday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Jacksonville State’s year kicked off on a 9-13 run across 22 games. The Gamecocks are just 2-5 since then with losses to Eastern Kentucky, Bellarmine, Kennesaw State (twice) and Liberty alongside wins versus Austin Peay and Queens NC.
In the Liberty matchup on Saturday, the Gamecocks were drilled 45-25 in the first half. Jacksonville State didn’t get any closer on a 34-30 second half and lost 79-55. Demaree King topped the scoring with just nine points and five rebounds.
Central Arkansas Bears
Over on the Central Arkansas side, they were a rough 7-15 through their first 22 games this year. The Bears are also 2-5 in their last seven with losses to Jacksonville, Stetson, Lipscomb, Eastern Kentucky and Bellarmine in that stretch.
Back on Sunday in the Bellarmine game, the Bears took a slim 36-34 deficit into the second half. Central Arkansas hit a 33-32 run from there but still lost 68-67. Peter Suder led the team on 16 points with eight rebounds.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll lean slightly toward Central Arkansas in this one. Probably staying away, though; there’s not a lot to get excited about here. In any case, the Bears are on a rough run but they’re not scoring too badly. Central Arkansas has hit 67 or more points in five of their last six games. Jacksonville State, meanwhile, has been at 71 or more in two of the last three outings and should match up pretty well here. I like a close game most of the way with Central Arkansas pulling off the home cover.