Georgia State vs Cincinnati 3/16/18 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

Georgia St. rolled through the Sun Belt Conference tournament, handling UT-Arlington 74-61 in the championship game Sunday to return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2015. After losing four of five late in the regular season, the Panthers rallied to win the season finale and rode the momentum to a title. Cincinnati has an elite defense and will look to ride it to the Final Four after plowing through the American Athletic Conference, winning the regular season championship and beating Houston in the tournament final.

The Panthers scored 75.4 ppg and allowed 67.5 ppg. They are 101st in offensive efficiency and 106th in defensive efficiency. Ga. State likes to force turnovers - 44th in the nation - and locks down the paint, holding teams to 43.9 percent on 2-pointers (9th). Ga. State has a stud in D'Marcus Simonds, who pours in 20.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg and 4.5 apg. Devin Mitchell adds 12.2 ppg and Jeff Thomas hits 10.9 ppg. Cincinnati held opponents to 31 percent on 3-pointers and 40 percent on 2-pointer, ranking top 10 nationally in both areas. The Bearcats are also 10th in turnovers forced and fifth in block percentage. Jacob Evans leads Cincy with 12.9 ppg but Gary Clark, the AAC Player of the Year, is the baddest dude on the block, delivering 12 ppg, eight rebounds, 52 percent shooting and 44 percent on 3-pointers. Kyle Washington adds 11.3 ppg and scores 75 ppg on the season while allowing 57.2 ppg.