The Massachusetts Minutemen (8-12, 1-6 A10) will attempt to end their five-game road losing streak in a matchup against the La Salle Explorers (4-14, 2-4 A10) at Tom Gola Arena. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.
Massachusetts Minutemen vs. La Salle Explorers ATS Prediction
The Minutemen come in on a high note after topping the Rhode Island Rams in their last matchup, 77-70. The Minutemen forced 17 turnovers and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.618 (above their season average of 0.519). With 22 points on 7-for-10 shooting, Carl Pierre was Massachusetts’ high scorer.
The last time the Explorers played, they barely escaped the Fordham Rams, 73-71. La Salle made 14 of their 26 three pointers (53.8 percent). Fordham, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 10.5 (better than their season average of 15.2). Isiah Deas led La Salle in scoring with 20 points on 6-for-16 shooting from the field.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Saul Phiri scored a game-high 20 points and the Explorers beat the Minutemen 69-60. He also put up six rebounds. The Explorers had a better turnover percentage (18.9 vs. 23.0) and had a better free throw rate (0.327 vs. 0.288).
It could be a mistake-prone game for the Massachusetts offense. Massachusetts ranks 202nd in the country in ball protection (turnover percentage of 19.2 percent), while the pesky defense of La Salle forces the 45th-most turnovers in the nation (22.2 percent).
Massachusetts at La Salle Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – La Salle, ATS Winner – La Salle, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
La Salle ranks 22nd in steals per game (8.3) while Massachusetts ranks 183rd (5.2).
The Minutemen average 14.6 assists per game, which ranks 79th in the NCAA. The Explorers rank 143rd in assists allowed per game (13.4).
Massachusetts ranks 210th in rebounds per game (34.1) while La Salle ranks 254th (32.7).
The Explorers rank 10th in three pointers allowed per game (17.6) while the Minutemen rank 49th (19.9).
Bettings Trends:
The Minutemen’s average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 7.0, up from 0.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Explorers have scored an average of 64.6 points per game (4.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.6 points per game (5.8 below their season average).
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