Stephen F. Austin vs. UNC-Asheville 3/19/22 - College Basketball Invitational Picks & Predictions

Last Updated: 03/18/2022 at 10:12 AM ET

On Saturday, the UNC Asheville Bulldogs play the Stephen F Austin Lumberjacks in the first round of the CBI Tournament at Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. UNC Asheville finished the regular season 16-14 overall and 8-8 in the Big South Conference. The Bulldogs were defeated by Charleston Southern 79-78 in the Big South Tournament two weeks ago and have lost three of the last four.

Drew Pember is leading UNC Asheville in scoring and rebounding with averages of 15.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game, while LJ Thorpe is the second leading scorer and the leader in assists with averages of 13.8 points and 3.6 assists per game. UNC Asheville has three players averaging double-figures in scoring and as a team in scoring an average of 74.9 points per game.

Stephen F Austin finished the regular season 22-9 overall and 14-4 in the Western Athletic Conference, which was tied for first with New Mexico State and Seattle U. The Lumberjacks were defeated by Abilene Christian 76-62 in the quarterfinals of the WAC Tournament. The leading scorer for Stephen F Austin was Gavin Kensmil with 15 points. The Lumberjacks shot only 35.3% overall and 27.8% from three-point territory. Stephen F Austin committed 22 turnovers in the loss.

Gavin Kensmil is leading Stephen F Austin in scoring and rebounding with averages of 16.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. David Kachelries is the leader in assists with an average of 3.8 assists per game. Stephen F Austin has only two players averaging double-figures in scoring and as a team in scoring an average of 74.7 points per game. The Lumberjacks are shooting 47.5% overall and 33.4% from three-point territory.

Although the UNDER is a solid choice here, the play is UNC Asheville. The Bulldogs have covered the number in nine of the last 13 when labeled as the underdog. In contrast, Stephen F Austin has failed to cover the number in five of the last six as chalk. Stephen F Austin had won 10 straight prior to losing to Abilene Christian and will pick up the victory but fall short covering the number against the Bulldogs. Final Score Prediction, Stephen F Austin Lumberjacks win but fall short ATS 72-68.

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