Tarleton State vs. Belmont

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.