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The 12-seed Charleston Cougars (31-3) face the 5-seed San Diego State Aztecs (27-6) Thursday in a first round South Region game in the NCAA Tournament. Tip-off from Amway Center in Orlando is scheduled for approximately 3:10 p.m. ET (truTV). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Charleston vs. San Diego State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Cougars spent time in the Top 25 rankings at points during the regular season, and this team won the Colonial Athletic Association tournament. Charleston has ripped off 10 straight wins since Feb. 2.
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A lot of detractors of the Cougars look to a weak strength of schedule (SOS), as Charleston’s best win was against Kent State, its only win over a team in the NCAA Tournament field.
On the flip side, San Diego State picked up a win over an NCAA Tournament team in the Mountain West title game, topping Utah State 62-57. The Aztecs have 5 victories over NCAA Tournament teams, while playing Arkansas tough in an OT loss.
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Charleston vs. San Diego State odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 6:36 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Charleston +190 (bet $100 to win $180) | San Diego State -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Charleston +5.5 (-115) | San Diego State -5.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 141.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Charleston vs. San Diego State picks and predictions
Prediction
San Diego State 72, Charleston 68
Moneyline
San Diego State (-220) is a little on the expensive side, costing bettors more than 2 times the potential return. Charleston (+190) was able to win 31 games, and many bettors like the Cougars because of the 12-5 upset rule. In the NCAA Tournament, we’ve had a lot of 12-seed teams take down the 5-seed in recent years.
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Against the spread
CHARLESTON +5.5 (-115) is worth a look, as the Cougars have the offense to hang with most anyone in the country. The Cougars racked up 81.7 PPG during the regular season while hitting 73.9% from the free-throw line. That’ll keep them in the game all the way.
I believe in the overall body of work of the San Diego State -5.5 (-105), however, and the Aztecs will survive and advance. In the end, the Aztecs have a tremendous defense, and will lock it down when it counts.
Over/Under
UNDER 141.5 (-110) is the lean, but go lightly, with a half-unit at best.
The Under is 3-0-1 in the last 4 games overall for the Cougars, as Charleston’s defense has been pretty good lately, too. Charleston has allowed 58 or fewer points in 3 of the last 4 outings.
San Diego State has hit the Under in 8 in a row, and it has allowed just 56.9 PPG across the impressive 8-game span.
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