Belmont Bruins vs Tarleton State Texans Point Spread Picks

This is the first round of the Paradise Jam in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and Tarleton State will play its second game this season against a Division I opponent after losing a close 62-59 decision versus Arizona State even while shooting only 35 percent. Jakorie Smith led the Texans with 16 points, but the team made only two 3-pointers and great defense kept them in the game as the Sun Devils shot 34 percent. Belmont already is 0-3 ATS with two outright defeats after losing to Lipscomb 77-75 and the Bruins went 5-for-19 from 3-point range. Belmont lost eight of its top nine scorers from last season when it went 25-8. Tarleton is coached by Billy Gillispie, who previously worked at UTEP, Texas A&M, Kentucky and Texas Tech and his teams are known for tenacious defense. Belmont is 5-16 ATS its past 21 games and 2-5 ATS its past seven neutral-site games. Take Tarleton State.