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The Miami (OH) RedHawks will be at Convocation Center to take on the Eastern Michigan Eagles in a Mid-American matchup. The game gets underway at 7:00 pm ET on Tuesday, Feb. 2 and will air on ES3.
The Eagles lost to Western Michigan 94-86 on Saturday. James Thompson IV recorded 17 points and 11 rebounds, earning his 13th double-double of the year. The RedHawks, meanwhile, are coming off a 72-59 win over Northern Illinois on Saturday. Geovonie McKnight led the team in scoring with 18 points on 5-for-8 shooting.
This game should be a battle of contrasting styles. The Eagles (ranked 24th in the nation in possessions per game) prefer an up-tempo style of play, while the RedHawks (340th) are slow-paced. It could also be a sloppy game for the offense of the RedHawks, which ranks 264th in ball security (TO% of 19.8%). They’ll be going up against the gambling defense of the Eagles, which forces the 11th-most turnovers in the nation (23.5%).
Eastern Michigan is an eight-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 141 points. The Eagles enter the game with records of 10-11 Straight Up (SU) and 5-9 Against The Spread (ATS). Eastern Michigan has gotten to the free throw line often this season. They average 19 made free throws per game, which is 26th-best in Division I. The Eastern Michigan defense has done poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 81.5 points per game, well above their season average of 74.6.
On the other side, Miami (OH) has a SU record of 7-14 and an ATS record of 7-11.
This game marks the first time these teams will play this season. The last time Eastern Michigan and Miami (OH) played, Eastern Michigan won, but Miami (OH) still leads the head-to-head record over their most recent games, 6-4 SU. Additionally, with a 6-4 record, Miami (OH) has the advantage ATS. Neither team was able to hold the edge in field goals, rebounds, or three-pointers over the course of their latest five contests.
Predictions: SU Winner – EastMi, ATS Winner – EastMi, O/U – Over
Notes
Eastern Michigan is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games.
Eastern Michigan is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Eastern Michigan’s last 5 games.
Eastern Michigan is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games at home.
Eastern Michigan is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Miami (Ohio).
Eastern Michigan is 3-10 ATS in its last 13 games when playing at home against Miami (Ohio).
Eastern Michigan is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Miami (Ohio).
The Eastern Michigan Eagles average 78.6 points per game, ranking 65th in the nation. The Miami (OH) RedHawks rank 93rd in points allowed with 67.7.
On average, Eastern Michigan has 73.6 possessions per game and scores 1.067 points on each possession. Miami (OH) has both fewer possessions (64.8) and scores fewer points during those possessions (.983).
The Eastern Michigan Eagles average an effective field goal percentage of 48.5% this season. The Miami (OH) RedHawks have an abysmal record of 3-10 when opponents have an eFG% of 48.5% or greater.
On average, Eastern Michigan attempts 18.0 three pointers and Miami (OH) attempts 16.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Eastern Michigan Eagles have a 4-5 record while the Miami (OH) RedHawks have a poor 2-5 record.
The Eastern Michigan Eagles make an average of 10.3 steals per game, ranked second in the nation. When the Miami (OH) RedHawks allow 10 or more steals, they are undefeated (1-0).
