Texas Southern vs Jackson State 2/26/22 College Basketball Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Jackson State Tigers will travel to H&PE Arena to take on the Texas Southern Tigers this Saturday night in College Basketball action.

The Jackson State Tigers had their 4-game winning streak and dropped to 8-17 on the season after being defeated by the Alcorn State Braves, 61-60, this past Saturday. Jackson State led by a 34-30 margin at halftime, however, the Tigers struggled on the offensive end in the 2^nd half and Alcorn State was able to fight back to secure the victory. Jackson State shot 43.6% from the field & 46.2% from beyond the arc while allowing Alcorn State to shoot 40.0% from the field & 22.2% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Tigers was Ken Evans Jr. who had 26 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, & 1 steal.

On the season, Jackson State is averaging 59.6 ppg on 39.6% shooting from the field. The Tigers are averaging 5.3 three-pointers per game on 30.2% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Jackson State has been led by Jayveous McKinnis (12.0 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.3 spg, 3.3 bpg), Terence Lewis II (8.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.0 spg), Jonas James III (7.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.1 spg), & Ken Evans Jr. (7.0 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 2.0 apg).

Defensively, Jackson State is holding their opponents to an average of 65.1 ppg on 42.9% shooting from the field. The Tigers have a rebound margin of 0.9 and a turnover margin of -1.4.

The Texas Southern Tigers won their 2^nd straight games and improved to 13-11 on the season after defeating the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions, 70-68, this past Monday. Texas Southern was outstanding on the offensive end against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and held off the Golden Lions late after taking a 67-50 lead with 6:37 left in regulation. Texas Southern shot 52.9% from the field & 28.6% from beyond the arc while allowing Arkansas-Pine Bluff to shoot 43.6% from the field & 29.4% from beyond the arc. Leading the way for the Tigers was PJ Henry who had 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, & 4 steals.

On the season, Texas Southern is averaging 68.0 ppg on 43.4% shooting from the field. The Tigers are averaging 5.6 three-pointers per game on 30.7% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Texas Southern has been led by Joirdon Karl Nicholas (9.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg), John Walker III (9.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.2 apg), Bryson Etienne (7.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.4 apg), & PJ Henry (7.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.6 apg). John Walker III missed the Tigers last game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and should be considered questionable for this matchup.

Defensively, Texas Southern is holding their opponents to an average of 63.2 ppg on 40.5% shooting from the field. The Tigers have a rebound margin of 7.8 and a turnover margin of -4.0.

Jackson State is just 3-6 ATS in their last 9 games overall & 2-3 ATS in their last 5 road games. Texas Southern is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games and just 1-3 ATS in their last 4 home games.

Jackson State is coming off a tough loss at Alcorn State and is just a 4-14 on the road this season, however, Jackson State has been solid on the defensive end this season, coming into this matchup ranked 61^st in scoring defense & 164^th in defensive FG%. Texas Southern is also led by their defense, which ranks 31^st in scoring defense, however, and although they can also struggle on the offensive end, they gave Jackson State all they could handle in a 61-58 loss earlier this season. Jackson State is the better team and as I expect this to be another competitive game, I think the play here is to take Jackson State and the points. Good Luck!