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The LSU Tigers are set to face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets this weekend. Check out our college basketball odds series, which includes our LSU Georgia Tech prediction, odds, and pick.
Auburn basketball escaped major NCAA punishment earlier this week, with head coach Bruce Pearl being suspended for two games. The reason Auburn avoided severe punishment is that the school self-imposed an NCAA Tournament ban last season. That move reduced the pain for the Plainsmen this season. LSU did no such thing, and yet Will Wade — at the heart of an NCAA investigation into the Bayou Bengals' conduct related to the FBI's investigation into corruption and bribery a few years ago — has not yet been hammered by the NCAA.
The people who study college basketball odds are wondering why LSU has escaped the NCAA's wrath, at least thus far. Maybe a punishment will occur fairly soon, but there are no signs of an impending set of sanctions. That's great news for LSU, which continues to roll and make NCAA Tournaments. The Tigers are well on their way to the Big Dance this season. They are one of only eight teams in the country to be unbeaten heading into Saturday's action. SEC rival Arkansas is also unbeaten. Baylor, Colorado State, San Francisco, Iowa State, Arizona, and USC are the other unbeaten teams. Will Wade teams know how to win close games. They get big defensive stops late in regulation. They find ways to win even with plenty of roster churn in Baton Rouge.
If you are thinking about an LSU Georgia Tech pick, you need to realize that while LSU is unbeaten, Georgia Tech is 5-3, having lost in a blowout to North Carolina a few days ago. The Yellow Jackets are clearly struggling under head coach Josh Pastner. It is true that Pastner did a solid job last season, guiding Tech back to the NCAA Tournament. Losing Moses Wright and Jose Alvarado, the team's two best players, to the NBA and the G League has hamstrung Georgia Tech this season. The Yellow Jackets need to figure a way to thrive with those two stars now in the pros. That is an obvious challenge for Pastner one month into the new campaign.
Here’s how the bookmakers have set the odds:
College Basketball odds: LSU-Georgia Tech Odds
LSU: -8.5 (-110)
Georgia Tech: +8.5 (-110)
Over: 140.5 (-110)
Under: 140.5 (-110)
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Why LSU Could Cover the Spread
The Tigers might not be as good as their unbeaten record indicates, but Georgia Tech without its two best players from last season's NCAA Tournament roster is a vulnerable, frail opponent. LSU doesn't have spectacular wins on its resume, but victories over Liberty, Belmont, and Wake Forest are all solid results for Will Wade's group. Georgia Tech was physically overwhelmed by North Carolina in its most recent game. LSU should have the athletes and the answers needed to remain spotless one month into the college basketball season. That's one way to formulate an LSU Georgia Tech prediction.
Why Georgia Tech Could Cover the Spread
The calculus attached to an LSU Georgia Tech pick needs to include the reality that Georgia Tech very nearly beat Wisconsin in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge. Wisconsin is a top-25 team which won the Maui Invitational and just came back from 22 points down to beat Indiana. The North Carolina loss might scare people away from betting on Georgia Tech in this game, but the Wisconsin game — very nearly a huge win — shows what the Yellow Jackets are capable of.
Final LSU-Georgia Tech Prediction & Pick
Georgia Tech is capable of making this game close, but the Yellow Jackets carry the burden of proof in this game. They need to show they can take LSU to the wire. The North Carolina loss is hard to ignore; Georgia Tech will probably fade in the second half and lose by 12.
Final LSU-Georgia Tech Pick: LSU -8.5
