Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks Prediction, 1/17/2026 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Louisiana Tech Bulldogs vs Jacksonville State Gamecocks

Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026

Location: Pete Mathews Coliseum in Jacksonville, AL

TV: ESPN+

The Jacksonville State Gamecocks (8-9) will go up against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (10-7) at Pete Mathews Coliseum on Saturday.

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs faced off with MTSU and notched a win by a score of 59-58 in their last game. Louisiana Tech ended having earned a 36.2% field goal percentage (21 of 58) and buried 1 out of their 12 3-point attempts. From the free throw line, the Bulldogs made 16 of their 21 shots for a rate of 76.2%. When it comes to hauling in rebounds, they compiled a total of 30 with 9 of them being offensive. They also doled out 8 assists for the contest in addition to forcing the opposition into 12 turnovers and earning 9 steals. In terms of the defense, Louisiana Tech allowed their opponent to shoot 38.9% from the field on 21 out of 54 shooting. MTSU distributed 14 dimes and had 3 steals for this game. On top of that, MTSU totaled 39 boards (10 offensive, 29 defensive), but didn't notch a block. MTSU walked away from this one shooting 50.0% from the free throw line by converting 9 of 18 shots. They also made 7 of their 20 attempts from beyond the arc. In regard to fouls, the Bulldogs walked away with 14 and MTSU totaled 19 fouls.

DJ Dudley is one player who was a major factor in this matchup. He ended up scoring 17 points on 5 out of 16 shooting. He was on the court for 43 mins and also totaled 4 boards. He went 31.3% from the field and also earned 3 dimes.

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Louisiana Tech steps onto the hardwood with a win-loss record of 10-7 this year. They are averaging 68.1 points per game (335th in Division 1) while shooting 43.5% from the floor. The Bulldogs are hitting 29.3% on three-point attempts (95 of 324) and 62.9% from the free throw line. As a unit, Louisiana Tech is collecting 40.1 rebounds per game and has accounted for 213 assists on the year, which ranks 307th in the nation in terms of passing. They are turning it over 11.6 times per game and as a unit they are committing 15.6 personal fouls per contest.

On defense, the Bulldogs are forcing 12.2 turnovers every game while drawing 16.4 personal fouls. They are giving up 29.4% on shots from beyond the perimeter and they are 3rd in college hoops in points per game from their opponents (60.3). The Bulldogs defense is allowing an opponent shooting percentage of 37.6% (350 of 930) and they concede 33.6 boards per contest as a team. They rank 60th in college in allowing assists to the opposition with 200 conceded for the year.

When they last stepped on the court, the Jacksonville State Gamecocks went home defeated by a final of 77-62 when they played Sam Houston State. The Gamecocks earned 14 defensive rebounds and 8 offensive rebounds totaling 22 in the game. They coughed up the ball 9 times, while getting 9 steals for the matchup. Sam Houston State committed 15 personal fouls in this matchup which got the Gamecocks to the free throw line for a total of 19 shots. They were able to make 12 of the free throw tries for a percentage of 63.2%. In terms of shots from downtown, Jacksonville State converted 6 of 20 tries (30.0%). When the final whistle blew, the Gamecocks ended up going 22 out of 55 from the field which had them at 40.0%. The Gamecocks permitted Sam Houston State to bury 31 of 54 tries from the field which gave them a rate of 57.4% for the matchup. They finished the game shooting 45.5% from 3-point land by shooting 10 of 22 and ended up going 5 out of 7 at the free throw line (71.4%). When it comes to attacking the glass, Jacksonville State permitted Sam Houston State to snag 33 overall (7 offensive).

Mostapha El Moutaouakkil ended up being a major contributor for the Gamecocks in this matchup. He made 9 out of 16 in the matchup for a rate of 56.3%, and had 10 rebounds. He racked up 23 points in his 25 mins on the court, but went home with no dimes.

Jacksonville State has a record of 8-9 so far this year. When it comes to offense, the Gamecocks are connecting on 44.1% from the field, which ranks them 251st in the country. Jacksonville State has tallied 1,250 points so far this year (73.5 per contest) and they average 38.1 boards per game. Their rate of earning assists is at 12.8 times per contest (281st in the nation) and they are turning it over 11.6 times per contest. The Gamecocks commit 16.9 fouls per game and they go 66.4% from the free throw line.

The Jacksonville State defense allows 30.1% on shots from 3-point land (123 of 409) and their opponents are making 73.5% of their free throw attempts. They have allowed 11.1 assists and 33.4 boards per contest, ranking them 35th and 109th in those defensive categories. The Gamecocks on defense are ranked 33rd in college in points given up per game with 66.7. They are able to force 11.4 TO's per game and allow teams to shoot 39.7% from the field (31st in college hoops).

Who will win tonight's NCAA game against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Louisiana Tech

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