Jackson State Tigers vs. Bethune Cookman Wildcats Prediction and Betting Tips

Posted on February 17, 2025 by author in Basketball

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The Jackson State Tigers and Bethune-Cookman Wildcats are set to clash in a thrilling Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) matchup on Monday, February 17, 2025, at Moore Gymnasium in Daytona Beach, Florida. Both teams enter this game with identical 8-4 conference records, making this a pivotal contest for their standings in the SWAC. With the Wildcats holding a slight edge as 1.5-point favorites and an over/under set at 144.5, this game promises to be a competitive battle. Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup, including predictions, betting insights, and key player performances.

Game Overview

Date and Time: Monday, February 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM ET
Location: Moore Gymnasium, Daytona Beach, Florida
TV: SWAC Digital Network
Spread: Bethune-Cookman -1.5
Over/Under: 144.5
Moneyline: Bethune-Cookman -135, Jackson State +110.

Both teams are coming off recent losses, with Jackson State falling 76-71 to Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman losing 78-74 to Alcorn State. Despite their struggles, both squads have shown resilience in conference play, making this a must-watch game for college basketball fans.

Team Analysis

Jackson State Tigers

The Tigers have had a challenging season, posting an 8-17 overall record. However, they’ve been competitive in the SWAC, going 8-4 in conference play. Jackson State averages 70.3 points per game but struggles defensively, allowing 78.3 points per contest, ranking 328th in the nation.

Key Players:

Daeshun Ruffin: The junior guard leads the team with 16.0 points and 4.1 assists per game, showcasing his ability to impact both ends of the floor.
Shannon Grant: A reliable scorer and rebounder, Grant averages 8.9 points and shoots an impressive 57.6% from the field.
Romelle Mansel: The team’s leading rebounder with 6.6 boards per game, Mansel also contributes 9.4 points and 1.0 blocks per contest.

Jackson State’s offense has been inconsistent, shooting just 40.2% from the field and 32.3% from beyond the arc. Their defense, particularly on the perimeter, has been a weakness, as opponents shoot 36.2% from three-point range.

Bethune-Cookman Wildcats

The Wildcats have also struggled overall, with an 11-14 record, but they’ve been strong in the SWAC, matching Jackson State’s 8-4 conference mark. Bethune-Cookman averages 68.5 points per game and allows 72.8 points, ranking 216th defensively.

Key Players:

Trey Thomas: The Wildcats’ leading scorer, Thomas averages 16.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. He’s also a threat from beyond the arc, hitting 34.2% of his three-point attempts.
Reggie Ward Jr.: A dominant force on the boards, Ward averages 8.2 rebounds and 9.8 points per game.
Daniel Rouzan: An efficient scorer, Rouzan shoots 57.9% from the field and contributes 11.4 points per game.

Bethune-Cookman’s offense has been inconsistent, ranking 313th in scoring, but they’ve been strong at home, winning nine of their last 10 games at Moore Gymnasium against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Betting Insights and Trends

Spread and Moneyline

Bethune-Cookman is a 1.5-point favorite, with a moneyline of -135. The Wildcats have a 7-2 record as moneyline favorites this season, winning 77.8% of those games.
Jackson State, with a moneyline of +110, has struggled as an underdog, winning just one of 15 games in that role this season.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Bethune-Cookman is 13-12-0 ATS this season, including a 5-4 record as 1.5-point favorites.
Jackson State has been strong ATS, posting a 15-10-0 record, including an 8-8 mark as 1.5-point underdogs.

Over/Under

The over/under is set at 144.5. Both teams have trended toward the over, with Bethune-Cookman hitting the over in 13 games and Jackson State in 14.
The teams combine to average 138.8 points per game, 5.7 fewer than the total, but their recent games have been higher-scoring.

Prediction and Picks

Final Score Prediction

Based on recent performances and betting trends, Bethune-Cookman is projected to edge out Jackson State in a close contest. The Wildcats’ strong home record and slightly better defense give them the edge.

Predicted Score: Bethune-Cookman 74, Jackson State 71.

Betting Picks

Spread: Bethune-Cookman -1.5
Over/Under: Over 144.5
Moneyline: Bethune-Cookman -135

Key Factors to Watch

Home-Court Advantage: Bethune-Cookman has been dominant at Moore Gymnasium, winning nine of their last 10 home games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Turnovers: Both teams struggle with turnovers, but Jackson State’s ability to capitalize on opponent mistakes could be a deciding factor.
Three-Point Shooting: Bethune-Cookman’s ability to defend the perimeter will be crucial, as Jackson State shoots just 32.3% from beyond the arc.

Conclusion

The Jackson State Tigers and Bethune-Cookman Wildcats are evenly matched in conference play, but the Wildcats’ home-court advantage and slightly better defense make them the favorites in this matchup. With a projected final score of 74-71 in favor of Bethune-Cookman, this game is expected to be a closely contested battle. For bettors, taking Bethune-Cookman to cover the spread and the over on the total points are the best options.

Whether you’re a fan or a bettor, this SWAC showdown is one you won’t want to miss. Tune in on February 17 at 7:00 PM ET to see which team comes out on top!