The Youngstown State Penguins (5-12, 1-3 Hor) will attempt to put an end to their six-game road losing streak in a matchup against the UIC Flames (7-9, 1-2 Hor) at Credit Union 1 Arena. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 10, 2019, and will air on ESPN 3.
Youngstown State Penguins vs. UIC Flames Betting Prediction
In the Penguins’ last outing, they were beaten by the Pittsburgh Panthers, 69-53. Pittsburgh’s free throw rate was their largest advantage over Youngstown State. The Panthers had a rate of 0.236, while the Penguins posted a mark of 0.134. Kendale Hampton led Youngstown State in scoring with 15 points on 4-for-11 shooting.
The Flames lost to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in their last matchup, 84-67. Notre Dame made good use of their 38 trips to the free throw line, making 36 of them (94.7 percent). UIC, meanwhile, was just 13-20 (65.0 percent). Marcus Ottey had a good performance for UIC, leading both teams in scoring with 17 points on 6-for-14 shooting.
UIC could have their way on the offensive side of the ball as their upper-echelon offense faces off against one of the worst defenses in the NCAA. The Flames rank 47th in effective field goal percentage (0.551), while Youngstown State ranks 300th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.532). Furthermore, the Penguins are among the country’s elite on the offensive backboards, ranking 28th in offensive rebounding percentage (35.9 percent). The Flames, meanwhile, rank 267th at grabbing defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 69.5 percent.
Tarkus Ferguson and Ottey have been playing well over the last five games for UIC. Ferguson has averaged 0 points per game. Not to be outdone, Ottey has recorded 0 points a game during that span.
After the Flames won both games against the Penguins last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the most recent matchup, UIC won 100-75. The Flames knocked down 24 of their 31 free throws (77.4 percent) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.603 vs. 0.420).
Youngstown State Penguins at UIC Flames Pick
Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – UIC, ATS Winner – UIC, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Youngstown State ranks 30th in rebounds per game (40.5) while UIC ranks 239th (33.2).
The Flames rank 32nd in three pointers attempted per game (27.4) while the Penguins rank 179th in three pointers allowed per game (23.9).
UIC ranks 45th in blocks allowed per game (2.7) while Youngstown State ranks 103rd (3.5).
The Penguins rank 103rd in assists per game (14.2) while the Flames rank 159th in assists allowed per game (14.0).
Bettings Trends:
The Penguins’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.4, down from 3.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Flames have scored an average of 80.8 points per game (5.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 85.2 points per game (8.1 above their season average).
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