The Tennessee State Tigers (8-15, 5-6 OVC) and the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (10-14, 3-8 OVC), who both like to play up-tempo, will square off at McBrayer Arena. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 9, 2019.
Tennessee State Tigers at Eastern Kentucky Colonels Free Prediction
The last time the Tigers played, they defeated the Morehead State Eagles, 81-80. Tennessee State’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Morehead State. The Tigers had a rate of 0.540 (above their season average of 0.498), while the Eagles posted a mark of 0.455 (below the 0.538 mark opponents have averaged against Tennessee State this season). Tennessee State rallied around Donte Fitzpatrick-Dorsey, who was the team’s leading scorer with 18 points on 6-for-15 shooting.
The Colonels got blown out by the Belmont Bruins in their last outing, 83-65. Belmont won the rebounding battle. The Bruins had more offensive rebounds (12 vs. four), defensive rebounds (33 vs. 24) and total rebounds (45 vs. 28). Nick Mayo put together a good game for Eastern Kentucky, leading the team in scoring with 22 points on 7-for-19 shooting.
This is the second game of the season between these two squads. In the first, the Colonels lost 82-81. Mayo recorded 22 points, six rebounds and five assists. The Tigers’ 13.7 turnover percentage was their largest strength over the Colonels, who had a rate of 17.7.
There should be a fair amount of transition action in this contest that features a pair of the NCAA’s more fast-breaking teams. Eastern Kentucky ranks first in possessions per game (82.4) and Tennessee State is 37th (73.6). It could also be a sloppy game for the offense of the Tigers, which ranks 341st in ball security (turnover percentage of 23.3 percent). They’ll be going up against the stingy defense of the Colonels, which forces the 24th-most turnovers in the NCAA (23.4 percent).
Tennessee State Tigers at Eastern Kentucky Colonels ATS Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Eastern Kentucky, ATS Winner – Eastern Kentucky, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Tennessee State ranks 37th in assists allowed per game (11.3) while Eastern Kentucky ranks 232nd (15.4).
The Tigers rank 126th in rebounds allowed per game (34.4) while the Colonels rank 292nd (41.6).
Eastern Kentucky ranks first in steals per game (11.0) while Tennessee State ranks 134th in steals allowed per game (6.6).
The Colonels rank 26th in three pointers attempted per game (27.6) while the Tigers rank 100th (23.9).
Eastern Kentucky ranks 108th in blocks per game (3.3) while Tennessee State ranks 151st in blocks allowed per game (3.9).
Bettings Trends:
The Tigers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 4.4, down from 4.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Colonels have scored an average of 77.2 points per game (6.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 79.8 points per game (3.7 below their season average).
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