Austin Peay Governors vs Samford Bulldogs Point Spread Picks

Austin Peay has very good guard play with L.J. Thomas (19.4 ppg) and slows the pace down with tough defense (6-1 UNDER the total). They won at Georgia State, 62-50, as an underdog, won at Butler (68-66) as a +17 dog, and topped Chattanooga (67-61) as a dog. Austin Peay is on a 10-8-1 ATS run. Samford turns it over 12.6 times per game and is not a great free-throw shooting team (71.3%). They come off an 88-81 loss to South Carolina State as a double-digit favorite. Play Austin Peay + UNDER the total. 

Austin Peay lost some scoring from last season, but have a very strong inside game which should serve as the team's biggest asset. Chris Horton, and Chris Freeman have the experience, and have been the team's top scorers through two games. It looks like sharp-shooting JUCO transfer Khalil Davis is going to help open things up as he has averaged 31 minutes and contributed 7.5 points per contest for the Governors. Samford had a pair of unwinnable games to start the season. so they're in at 0-2. The Samford program is a mess after seeing 14 players over the last two years transfer out. Five of the team's top six scorers have transferred, and a 20 loss season from last year may get worse this season. These teams may, however, still be fairly close in terms of overall ability, but you have to like the fact that the Govs have some interior depth and senior leadership, and are playing at home, which is enough to get them over the top. Play on Austin Peay on the moneyline.

Samford plays its best defense at home and will close out its longest homestand of the 2013-14 season Saturday in this one. It may be a non-conference battle but the teams know each other, as the Bulldogs face former Ohio Valley Conference rival Austin Peay in a key non-conference contest. Both teams come off losses and the Under is 4-0 in the Austin Peay Governor's last four games following a loss, while the under is 4-1 in Samford Bulldogs last five games following a loss. These teams know each other's players and tendencies, so look for plenty of defense. Play Samford/Austin Peay Under the Total.

Austin Peay has the home court and these teams know each other as Samford used to clash with the Governors when the program was part of the Ohio Valley Conference. Now they are a part of the Southern Conference. They went 8-10 in their new conference and Austin Peay has a considerable edge in the series at 14-6. Last season Samford relied on two players to carry the load and only one of them is back, with leading scored Drew Windler (14.4 ppg) gone. In fact, there is not a single senior available to the Bulldogs this season. Unlike the Bulldogs, Austin Peay had four players putting up double digits a season ago, as they spread the basketball around better, and the Governors are 4-0 ATS in their last four games against the Southern conference. Samford is 1-5 ATS in the last six meetings, as well as 0-5 ATS in the last five meetings in Austin Peay. Play on Austin Peay.