Georgia State vs. Louisiana odds, prediction: 2026 Sun Belt Tournament picks from proven model
CBS Sports
by
Daniel Kohn
March 3, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Georgia State Panthers and Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns face off in a crucial first-round matchup of the 2026 Sun Belt Tournament, with both teams seeking to turn their fortunes around. Despite being slight underdogs, Georgia State enters the game on a three-game losing streak and has struggled to find consistency this season. Louisiana, meanwhile, looks to bounce back from a disappointing loss but remains a contender in the tournament, having won the title as recently as 2023. SportsLine's Projection Model has simulated the game 10,000 times and predicts an Over performance, with a projected total of 137 points.
The Panthers and Ragin' Cajuns enter this contest with similar records (10-21 overall, 7-11 in conference play), but their recent form tells a different story. Georgia State has been particularly inconsistent, dropping three straight games, including an 81-73 loss to Old Dominion. Louisiana, on the other hand, has shown flashes of brilliance but has also endured a rough stretch, losing five of its last six games, including a convincing 81-58 defeat at Arkansas State. Both teams will need to step up their performances if they hope to advance in the tournament.
The betting landscape for this game is tight, with Louisiana holding a slight edge as a 1.5-point favorite. The Over/Under line is set at 132.5 points, and while both teams have struggled offensively lately, historical data suggests that the Over could be a viable option. In fact, the model predicts that the combined score will exceed 137 points in over 60% of simulations, driven by strong projected performances from key players like Jelani Hamilton (Georgia State) and Dorian Finister (Louisiana).
SportsLine's model also highlights the importance of player contributions in determining the outcome. Georgia State is expected to get solid output from Hamilton, who is projected to score 16 points, while Louisiana's Finister is anticipated to lead his team with 15.6 points. The Panthers are projected to have three players scoring in double figures, while the Ragin' Cajuns also look set to showcase a balanced attack.
For sports enthusiasts and bettors alike, this game offers an intriguing matchup of teams on opposite ends of their recent form. While Louisiana holds the edge as favorites, Georgia State's familiarity with success
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 3/3/2026