Florida Gulf Coast vs Indiana Odds, Picks and Predictions: No Gulf Divide

The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles enter this season opener coming off a 17-15 campaign and narrowly missed an invitation to the Big Dance. Indiana Hoosiers ended their season with a 23-12 mark and a disappointing second-round March Madness loss to Miami, and the college basketball odds for this matchup reflect this. 

I take a closer look at tonight's CBB matchup, along with my free college basketball picks, as I preview Florida Gulf Coast vs. Indiana on Tuesday, November 6.

Florida Gulf Coast vs Indiana best odds

Florida Gulf Coast vs Indiana picks and predictions

When I opened my oddscreen to write this preview, I was amazed the Hoosiers were only -12.5-point favorites to defeat the Eagles on Tuesday night. I would’ve thought the spread would be higher–surely a game between the Atlantic Sun Conference and the Big Ten Conference will surely be a blowout, right?

Florida Gulf Coast returns three starters from a good basketball team, and their top three scorers have returned to play for the Eagles. Isaiah Thompson (14.9 pts, 3.2 ast) led FGC in points and assists while shooting 37% from downtown. Chase Johnston (12.7 pts, 2.8 rebs) shot 41% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc. Forward Zach Anderson and center Andre Weir (9.2, 6.2 rebs) were the top two rebounders from last season, and head coach Pat Chambers hit the portal and maybe found some gems.

FGC plays at a fast tempo, and they fly up and down the court. Last season, the Eagles launched the 29th most triple attempts among their D1 rivals. They knocked down 35% of their long-range jumpers and took care of the ball, but they were often worked on the glass, and their defense at times last season seemed like an option instead of a key part of their game plan.

Indiana is coming off a good season, but they lost four of their top five scorers from that squad. PG Xavier Johnson returns from an injury-riddled campaign that cost him all but 11 games, but his health is a question mark. Hoosiers head coach Mike Woodson hit the portal and found three trees to go along with Johnson and guard Trey Galloway that should make things very interesting for them and the Hoosiers this season.

These two schools play against vastly different competition during their conference season, but the one thing both groups have in common is a shaky defense. Indiana finished the year in the top 50 in the KenPom, but that group didn’t seem to focus on defense all that much. FGC barely played any defense and resorted to launching triples.

I like Florida Gulf Coast to cover the spread on Tuesday. They were 12-19 ATS last season, and while they will face a considerable size advantage, they play fast and return their best four players, top two scorers, and top two rebounders. Indiana is basically a brand-new team, and it will take time for them to figure things out, especially on the defensive end. .

My best bet: Florida Gulf Coast +12.5 (-110 at DraftKings)

Florida Gulf Coast vs Indiana same-game parlay

FGCU +12.5

Under 144

+274 at DraftKings

Last season, Florida Gulf Coast opened their campaign on a 12-3 run and was 7-5-0 ATS in non-conference action. They return their four best players and face an Indiana side with more questions than answers that went 6-6-1 ATS in non-conference matchups.

Season openers tend to produce nerves. Nerves and jitters usually produce turnovers and other mistakes that will affect the score. FGC might play fast enough for the possessions required to exceed the total, but they are a team that lives and dies with by the triple and do have a serious size disadvantage. The Hoosiers don’t have much experience playing together, and they should gut out a close, low-scoring affair Tuesday. 

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

Florida Gulf Coast vs Indiana spread and Over/Under analysis

Tuesday’s contest is considered an “extra game,” and that’s probably why there isn’t a moneyline market available. Moneyline markets will likely open late Tuesday morning, and when they do, the Indiana moneyline will have terrible odds that probably aren’t worth the risk.  

DraftKings and FanDuel are the only two US sportsbooks to hang a number on this game. FanDuel offers Florida Gulf Coast +12.5 (-115), and we save a nickel by betting at DraftKings.

FanDuel opened the Over 143.5 (-115) while the Under (-105) offers a better value at .05 less than their Boston-based competitor.

I hope someone posts a moneyline because I’m leaning toward an Eagles upset. FGC plays in a conference with only one automatic bid, and a Quad 1 away win over Indiana would look good on the Eagles' resume. Gulf Coast has the experience to win this game and the talent, but it is daunting for anyone to beat Indiana at Assembly Hall. It might be worth at least a sprinkle. 

Florida Gulf Coast vs Indiana betting trend to know

Indiana is 6-6-1 ATS over their last 13 non-conference matchups. Find more college basketball betting trends for Florida Gulf Coast vs. Indiana.

Florida Gulf Coast vs Indiana game info

Florida Gulf Coast vs Indiana key injuries

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