The Jacksonville State Gamecocks and the North Alabama Lions meet Friday in college basketball action from Flowers Hall. Jacksonville State is fresh off a Wednesday matchup versus Central Arkansas. In that one the Gamecocks managed a blowout victory. As for North Alabama, they played Kennesaw State in their Wednesday game. The Lions would go on to lose by 13 points. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Jacksonville State Gamecocks
Jacksonville State opened up the year on a 9-13 run through 22 games. The Gamecocks would then hit a rough 2-5 stretch featuring losses to Eastern Kentucky, Bellarmine, Kennesaw State (twice) and Liberty over the next seven outings.
Back on Wednesday versus Central Arkansas, the Gamecocks were up 50-33 going into the second half. Jacksonville State kept it rolling on a 51-38 run and won 101-71. Demaree King led the way on 35 points with five rebounds and five assists.
North Alabama Lions
Over on the North Alabama side, they were sitting at 12-10 by the 22-game mark. The Lions hit their stride on a 6-1 run in the next seven, taking out North Florida, FGCU, Austin Peay, Lipscomb, Bellarmine and Eastern Kentucky in that time.
Matched up against Kennesaw State on Wednesday, the Lions took a 41-34 deficit into halftime. North Alabama didn’t get any closer on a 38-32 run from there and lost 79-66. Daniel Ortiz was the team’s top scorer with 24 points and three rebounds.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to take a crack on Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks have looked pretty sketchy during this current 2-5 run. That said, they’re generally scoring well lately with 71 or more points in three of the last four. Jacksonville State took a rough 66-62 loss at Pete Mathews Coliseum back on December 30 the last time these teams met up. With North Alabama going 5-1 over their last six games it’s going to be tough to carve out a revenge cover on the road here. That said, I think the Gamecocks can pull it off if they play to their capabilities.