College Basketball Odds, Picks & Predictions: South Carolina vs. UAB Wednesday Betting Preview (Dec. 14)
Via Icon Sportswire/Getty Images. Pictured: UAB Blazers guard Jordan Walker (10) shoots during the game between the UAB Blazers and the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sunshine Slam on November 22, 2022 at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Fl.
- The South Carolina Gamecocks travel to Birmingham to face the UAB Blazers as heavy road underdogs on Wednesday.
- The Blazers are one of the best mid-major teams in the country, and Keg sees some value on their side as they have a chance to make a statement in this matchup.
- Check out his best bet and analysis below.
South Carolina vs. UAB Odds
| South Carolina Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+16 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | +1100 |
| UAB Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-16 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | -2500 |
The UAB Blazers look to extend their five-game home winning streak and move to 2-0 against SEC teams on the season when they host the South Carolina Gamecocks on Wednesday night. It will be the first time an SEC opponent has played at Bartow Arena since 2016 when UAB lost 74-70 to the Auburn Tigers.
The Blazers return home after their six-game win streak ended on the road at West Virginia, losing 81-70 to the Mountaineers despite 19-point performances by both Jordan "Jelly" Walker and Javian Davis.
South Carolina enters on a two-game win streak to get back above .500, with wins over Georgetown in overtime and Presbyterian.
A win over the Blazers, who are currently ranked 47th by KenPom, would be the Gamecocks' highest ranked KenPom win of the season (their best win currently is over 74th-ranked Clemson). The Gamecocks are 3-1 over the Blazers all time, but all three wins came at home or on a neutral court.
Last season the Gamecocks barely held off UAB at home, winning 66-63. Will a more experienced Blazers squad and home field advantage in Birmingham prove too much for the Gamecocks this time around?
Find the college basketball odds, pick and prediction for South Carolina vs. UAB below.
South Carolina Gamecocks
The Gamecocks have an elite talent in true freshman GG Jackson as he leads the team by averaging 17.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. This was expected from the highest-ranked incoming freshman in program history after he reclassified to become a part of the 2022 class.
However, one good player does not make a quality team. This Gamecocks squad is averaging only 64.2 points per game while posting a negative scoring margin of -5.6–both rank outside the top 250.
The Gamecocks rank 282nd in Effective Field Goal Percentage as they are outside the top 200 in both 3-point and 2-point shooting percentage. They haven't been much better on defense, allowing opponents to post a 53.7% Effective Field Goal Percentage.
The Gamecocks will face a major challenge of preventing the Blazers from getting quality looks at the rim. Over the last five games, South Carolina has allowed opponents to post a 72.7% field goal percentage at the rim.
This is concerning for the Gamecocks as the Blazers have consistently gotten to the bucket all season long. UAB has taken 44.4% of its shots at the rim (ranking in the 99th percentile) and converted 64.7% of those attempts.
UAB Blazers
Most college basketball fans became familiar with the electric UAB offense and elite scorer Jelly Walker a season ago. However, some may not realize just how much this Blazers team has improved from last season.
While the Blazers aren't as strong shooting 3s this season, they have improved their Adjusted Tempo from 79th to sixth nationally as they have emphasized playing fast and attacking the bucket. Consequently, this has also improved their Rebounding Margin from 4.5 to 7.4.
While Walker continues to lead the team in scoring, the additions of Eric Gaines from LSU and Ledarrius Brewer from ETSU have been key. Gaines leads the team in assists, and Brewer leads the team in blocks.
On the defensive end, UAB has improved from a year ago as well, after ranking 99th in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency to 75th this year. The Blazers defense has been one of the best in forcing turnovers as they are averaging 8.6 steals per game. They should wreak havoc against a Gamecocks team that ranks 241st in Turnover Rate (20.2%).
South Carolina vs. UAB Betting Pick
One of my favorite bets in college basketball is backing a high level mid-major against an underperforming Power Five team because the public usually undervalues the mid-major team.
The secret is out on Walker and the Blazers as they're one of the best offensive teams in the nation.
South Carolina's defense has been solid so far this season, but that's a result of a lack of quality competition. When this Gamecocks team has faced with an above average offense, they've lost, and it hasn't been close; they been defeated by George Washington (79-55), Furman (79-60) and Colorado State (85-53) in these spots.
The Blazers may feel overpriced here as more than 10-point favorites, but they are a better team on both ends of the floor. Expect them to show this on a national stage and in front of a packed Bartow Arena.
2,740 tickets remaining for Wednesdays matchup with South Carolina! We’re close folks.
Spread the word and let’s #PackBartow ‼️ #GoBlazers | #UAB | #Birmingham— Everything UAB (@UABBlazers247) December 12, 2022
Back the Blazers as high as 16-point favorites Wednesday night.
Pick: UAB -16 or better |
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