Jackson State at Indiana 11/23/21 - College Basketball Picks & Predictions

The winless Jackson State Tigers will have a steep step up in competition when they go on the road to Assembly Hall to take on the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers. Indiana has rattled off four straight wins, capped off with a 32 point victory yesterday of Louisiana, and already has a resume-building win over St. Johns earlier this season. Jackson State has lost all four of their games to open the season, capped off with an 80-66 loss at Marshall earlier this week, 

Jackson State dominated the SWAC last season, going undefeated, and will return most of the team from last season. They’ve struggled against better competition, especially to score the ball, averaging just 61.2 points per game ranking 329th in the nation in scoring offense. The Tigers have shot it well from deep, knocking down 38.8% of their 20 attempts, and led by senior Gavyeous McKinnis. McKinnis is a 2x All-Conference, and 2x DPOY in the SWAC, and has dominated the paint scoring 12.8 points and 10 rebounds per game.

The Tigers defense has had their issues this season as well allowing 74.5 points per game with opponents shooting 47.4% from the field. The issues have been mainly in the interior as they have held opponents to 32.9% from beyond the arc, which again starts with McKinnis who is forcing two steals and blocking two shots per game. 

Indiana has a new coach, and they’ve turned up the defensive intensity this season. They’re 33rd in the nation in scoring defense allowing just 57.2 points per game and have beheld opponents to just 30% from the field, the best mark in the nation. Tayce Jackson Davis is blocking three shots per game, and the team is blocking 7. The Hoosiers are 13th in KenPom adjusted defense and among the better units in the country.

That defense has created a ton of opportunities for the offense which is an above-average unit scoring 76.2 points per game ranking 126th in the nation in scoring offense. They’ve struggled from three shooting it at just 33.3% from beyond the arc, but are shooting 48.7% from the field which ranks 59th in the nation. Trayce Jackson-Davis is leading that charge scoring 17.3 points, but the Hoosier has eight players contributing six or more points per game.