The UTSA Roadrunners (6-7) look to snap their five-game losing streak when they square off with the UTEP Miners (5-6) at UTSA Convocation Center. The game is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 3, 2019.
UTEP Miners vs. UTSA Roadrunners Free Prediction
The last time the Miners played, they thoroughly outplayed the Texas-Permian Basin Falcons, 90-63. UTEP’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Texas-Permian Basin. The Miners had a rate of 0.637, while the Falcons posted a mark of 0.326. UTEP was led by Evan Gilyard, who was the game’s high scorer with 24 points on 7-for-13 shooting.
The Roadrunners lost a tough one against the St. Edwards Hilltoppers in their last contest, 77-76. St. Edwards’ free throw rate was their largest advantage over UTSA. The Hilltoppers had a rate of 0.231, while the Roadrunners posted a mark of 0.068. UTSA’s Giovanni De Nicolao finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists in the game.
It will be a showdown of conflicting paces as the up-tempo Roadrunners (ranked 46th in the NCAA in possessions per game) will look to push the more methodical Miners (164th in possessions per game). Furthermore, the Miners, who rank 42nd in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.288), could get to the line a ton against the Roadrunners, who rank 269th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.220).
Efe Odigie has averaged 0 points over the last five games for UTEP.
After the Roadrunners won all three games against the Miners last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last contest, UTSA won 71-58. The Roadrunners had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (33.3 vs. 20.0) and had a better free throw rate (0.190 vs. 0.150).
UTEP Miners at UTSA Roadrunners Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – UTSA, ATS Winner – UTSA, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
UTSA ranks 31st in three pointers attempted per game (24.9) while UTEP ranks 230th (19.1).
The Roadrunners rank 40th in rebounds per game (38.8) while the Miners rank 129th (36.4).
UTSA ranks 43rd in steals allowed per game (6.0) while UTEP ranks 118th (6.6).
The Miners rank 36th in assists allowed per game (11.0) while the Roadrunners rank 103rd (13.3).
Bettings Trends:
The Miners’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.4, up from 0.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Roadrunners have scored an average of 67.6 points per game (7.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 82.0 points per game (7.2 above their season average).
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