Youngstown State Penguins vs Georgia Southern Eagles picks and predictions November 24th 2025

Game Preview: Georgia Southern Eagles @ Youngstown State Penguins

Georgia Southern heads to Jacksonville for a neutral-site matchup against Youngstown State, with both teams looking to climb back over .500 in early nonconference play. The Eagles enter at 3-3 and bring one of the more aggressive perimeter offenses in the Sun Belt. The Penguins come in at 2-4 and look to regroup after a narrow loss to UNCG. The Georgia Southern Eagles and the Youngstown State Penguins both rank inside the national top 50 in three-pointers made per game, setting up a matchup where pace and efficiency from the arc could determine the outcome.

Youngstown State opened as a 2.5-point favorite with a total around 167, one of the higher lines on the slate. With both teams ranking among the fastest tempo squads in their respective conferences, oddsmakers expect a high-possession contest. More upcoming college hoops matchups can be explored on the NCAAB previews hub.

Odds and Key Information

The spread has remained steady at Penguins -2.5, with early action split due to Georgia Southern’s strong scoring metrics. The total has seen minor upward pressure. Bettors are weighing Georgia Southern’s inconsistency on defense against Youngstown State’s uneven offensive finishing in close games.

Coaches from both teams emphasized tempo management. Georgia Southern’s staff pointed to the need for cleaner transition defense after giving up 98 to Florida State. Youngstown State’s group focused on converting more of their high-frequency three-point attempts into efficient possessions, especially in late-clock scenarios.

Georgia Southern Eagles Outlook

Georgia Southern’s offense has been its strongest asset through the first six games. The Eagles average 10.5 threes per game, ranking inside the national top 50, and use a spread attack that relies on early-clock attempts and a willingness to shoot from beyond 25 feet. Shainen Carter continues to provide efficient minutes, scoring 14 points without a miss against Florida State. Nakavieon White’s size and rebounding help stabilize possessions, giving the Eagles second-chance opportunities.

Spudd Webb leads Georgia Southern at 15.5 points per game and has emerged as the primary on-ball creator. His ability to attack mismatches off the dribble opens the floor for spot shooters rotating into space. The Eagles posted 68 points in a near-upset of Georgia Tech earlier this season, a game that highlighted their competitiveness against higher-tier defenses.

Defensively, Georgia Southern remains inconsistent, particularly against teams that attack the rim with strength. Rotational timing has been uneven, and allowing 98 points to Florida State underscored the need for better discipline on the backline. The Eagles compensate through pace and offensive pressure, preferring high-tempo scenarios where their shooting variance can swing games.

Their profile fits well in matchups involving fast-paced opponents, and with Youngstown State playing a similar style, the Eagles’ ability to sustain spacing and run in transition plays a significant role. More situational data and matchup context can be viewed on the NCAAB odds page.

Youngstown State Penguins Outlook

Youngstown State enters off a competitive 68-62 loss to UNCG, a game in which the Penguins struggled late despite strong rebounding stretches. Bryson Dawkins posted 18 points and seven rebounds and continues to serve as the offensive focal point. His ability to operate inside-out gives Youngstown State versatility, allowing guards to relocate into high-percentage perimeter looks.

The Penguins match Georgia Southern in three-point production at 10.5 makes per game. Their offensive framework leans on drive-and-kick action, with shooters positioned above the break to stretch opposing rotations. Their 75.7 percent free-throw mark adds stability in tight games, and they often create rhythm through early foul pressure.

Cris Carroll provides secondary creation, offering scoring off the bounce and transition production. Youngstown State has been competitive in most of its losses, with several decided in the final minutes. Their defensive approach mixes conservative paint protection with selective trapping, though opponents have had success exploiting late rotations, especially on quick reversals.

Youngstown State’s ability to handle Georgia Southern’s perimeter pace, especially in switching situations, will shape the scoring flow. More team data for the Penguins can be found through the NCAAB team listings.

Key Matchup Table

Category	Edge
Three-Point Efficiency	Georgia Southern Eagles
Interior Scoring	Youngstown State Penguins
Tempo & Transition Pace	Georgia Southern Eagles
Free-Throw Reliability	Youngstown State Penguins

Betting Trends

Georgia Southern has played in several high-scoring environments, contributing to multiple overs in recent matchups. Their ATS profile leans toward competitiveness as an underdog due to their three-point variance.

Youngstown State has been effective in close games but has struggled to close late, especially when opponents space the floor. Their totals have leaned toward overs in fast-paced contests, though they remain inconsistent defensively.

For broader NCAAB market context, bettors can explore additional analytics on the college basketball scores and odds board or review model-based picks on the college basketball picks hub. Further season-wide evaluations are available on the NCAAB team index.

The Lean

This matchup projects as one of the highest-tempo games of the day. Georgia Southern’s spacing, quick-strike perimeter offense, and improved guard play make them well positioned to cover as an underdog. Their ability to generate volume from three and play comfortably in accelerated pace aligns with Youngstown State’s tendencies.

Youngstown State has advantages in interior strength and free-throw consistency, giving them a path to control the game if they slow tempo and force half-court possessions. However, Georgia Southern’s offensive rhythm and three-point volume provide greater leverage in a high-possession environment. More matchup previews can be viewed on the NCAAB previews page.

Projected Final Score: Georgia Southern Eagles 86, Youngstown State Penguins 82
Best Spread Pick: Georgia Southern Eagles +2.5
Total Lean: Over 167

Why You Need Expert Picks

High-tempo nonconference matchups like this one present opportunities through possession modeling, pace projections, and shooting-variance analysis. The top handicappers on the best handicappers leaderboard track high-efficiency scoring trends across mid-major programs. Bettors can compare expert breakdowns on the handicapper reviews page to identify analysts with consistent tempo-based insights.

Expert picks help quantify volatility in matchups featuring dual three-point-oriented offenses and provide edge identification on derivatives such as team totals and first-half lines. Leveraging these deeper evaluations supports more confident betting decisions across the NCAAB board.