Alabama State vs Jackson State Prediction, Picks & Best Bets for Tonight's SWAC Championship Game

James Bisson - Head of Content, Betting
James Bisson • Head of Content, Betting 16+ years betting experience
Updated: Mar 15, 2025 , 06:14 PM ET • 4 min read

Two good defenses mean someone has to grab some caroms, and our expert college basketball predictions expect Jackson State's Romeo Mansel to take care of business against Alabama State.

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Mar 15 • 6:30 PM ET
Romelle Mansel Jackson State Tigers NCAAB
Photo By - Imagn Images. Jackson State Tigers forward Romelle Mansel controls the ball.

The Southwest Athletic Conference Championship is tonight in Atlanta, Georgia, and a berth into the NCAA Tournament is up for grabs between the Alabama State Hornets and the Jackson State Tigers.

Both teams like to launch up shots, but they do so at a poor percentage. Find out why my Alabama State vs. Jackson State predictions are bullish on a particular rebounder in my college basketball picks for Saturday, March 15.

Who will win Alabama State vs Jackson State?

Jackson State won their only matchup this season at home, 77-70. The Tigers took an interesting approach to their non-conference schedule by playing all road games against tougher opponents.

That 0-13 start clearly paid off once they got to face lesser opponents in conference play with a 14-4 record. They have been dominating this tournament thus far, and I expect them to continue with another win and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

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Alabama State vs Jackson State prediction

My best bet: Romelle Mansel Over 7.5 rebounds (-115 at bet365)

The last time these two faced off, there were 65 total missed shots between the two teams. That was not an anomaly for either program.

The Alabama State Hornets shoot 40.9% on the season from the field, which ranks 347th, and the Jackson State Tigers shoot 42.3% (314th).

Those bad percentages are boosted by the fact that both teams like to play fast and get shots up. The Hornets rank 134th in KenPom’s adjusted tempo and take 63.4 shot attempts per game, which ranks 17th nationally.

The Tigers rank 110th in adjusted tempo and average 72.7 possessions per game (56th).

Alabama State allows their opponents to average 39.6 rebounds per game, which ranks 358th. They also have a 47.1% rebound percentage, ranking 312th. This is where I will look at the best rebounder for Jackson State to have a big game: Romelle Mansel.

Mansel averages 6.9 rebounds per game on the season and in conference play. He had nine rebounds in the semifinal game against Bethune-Cookman. He also had nine rebounds in the last matchup with Alabama State.

The sixth-year senior has plenty of experience and should show up in their most important game of the season. He has gotten at least eight rebounds in five of his last eight games and there will be plenty of opportunities for him to do so again tonight.

Alabama State vs Jackson State same-game parlay (SGP)

Romelle Mansel Over 7.5 rebounds

T.J. Madlock Over 8.5 rebounds

C.J. Hines Over 1.5 made threes


To go with our best bet, I am going to take a rebounder for Alabama State as well. The Tigers rank 286th in the country in rebounds allowed, so we will also take T.J. Madlock to go Over his total of 8.5. 

He averages 7.8 rebounds per game in conference play and has gotten at least nine boards in three of his past four games.

Finally, I am going to add C.J. Hines to hit at least two threes. The Alabama State guard shot 2/5 from deep in their last matchup with Jackson State.

The Tigers allow their opponents 19.9 three-point attempts per game and to shoot 32.1% from deep. 

Hines has made at least two threes in 10 of his last 14 games.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

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Alabama State vs Jackson State odds

Alabama State vs Jackson State live odds

Alabama State vs Jackson State opening odds

  • Spread: Alabama State +3.5 (-110) | Jackson State -3.5 (-110)
  • Moneyline: Alabama State (+125) | Jackson State (-155)
  • Over/Under: Over 139.5 (-110) | Under 139.5 (-110)

Odds courtesy of bet365

Alabama State vs Jackson State betting trend to know

Jackson State have covered the Spread in 18 of their last 26 games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Alabama State vs. Jackson State.

How to watch Alabama State vs Jackson State

Location Gateway Center, College Park, GA
Date Saturday, 3-15-2025
Tip-off 9:30 p.m. ET
TV ESPNU

Alabama State vs Jackson State key injuries

Not intended for use in MA.
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James Bisson
Head of Content, Betting

James Bisson is the Editor-in-Chief at Covers. He has been a writer, reporter and editor for more than 20 years, including a nine-year stint with The Canadian Press and more than five years at theScore. He has covered dozens of marquee events including the 2010 Winter Olympics, the 2006 Stanley Cup final and Wrestlemania 23, and his work has appeared in more than 200 publications, including the Los Angeles Times, the Guardian, Yahoo! Sports, the Toronto Star and The Globe and Mail.

His book, “100 Greatest Canadian Sports Moments”, was a hardcover best-seller in Canada in 2008 and earned him appearances on CBC Radio and Canada AM. He has written more than 50 sportsbook reviews, more than 200 industry news articles, and dozens of other sportsbook-related content articles.

A graduate of the broadcast journalism program at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University), James has been an avid bettor since the early 2000s, and cites bet365 as his favorite sports betting site due to its superior functionality and quick payouts. His biggest professional highlight: Covering Canada's first Olympic gold medal on home soil – and interviewing Bret Hart. Twice.

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