The Eastern Washington Eagles (16-13) and the Big Sky’s top-ranked offense welcome the Weber State Wildcats (22-8) and the top-ranked defense in the conference. Action starts at 5:05 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 5.
The Eagles were beaten by Idaho State 75-71 on Thursday. Venky Jois had a good game in defeat for Eastern Washington, recording 21 points and 11 rebounds to earn his 11th double-double of the season. The Wildcats, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 62-58 loss to Idaho on Thursday. Joel Bolomboy had a good game for Weber State, registering 16 points, nine rebounds, and three steals.
This battle pits one of the nation’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses, as Eastern Washington currently ranks eighth in offensive efficiency and Weber State is 22nd in defensive efficiency.
The Eagles enter the game with records of 16-13 Straight Up (SU) and 13-12-1 Against The Spread (ATS). They have a solid 8-2 SU record over their last 10 games, but have not fared as well ATS (3-7). The Eagles come into the game with the nation’s top ranked home scoring offense, averaging 90.2 points per game on their own court. The Eagles are a dangerously accurate shooting team from three-point range with a .386 three-point field goal percentage, one of the highest marks in Division I. The Eastern Washington defense has been on fire lately, allowing an average of 64.3 points per game, well under their season average of 77.7.
Across the court, the Wildcats have 22-8 SU and 13-14-1 ATS records. Weber State has been playing better lately, averaging 86.0 PPG, significantly more than their season average of 76.9. Weber State is one of the top shooting teams in the country, converting .481 of its shots from the floor. The last 10 games have really brought the worst out of the Wildcats on the defensive end. They allowed 79.1 points per game during that span, which is higher than their season average of 66.2.
This game marks the first time these teams will play this season. The last time these conference rivals played, Eastern Washington won, but Weber State still leads the head-to-head record over their most recent games, 7-3 SU. However, with a 5-4-1 record, Eastern Washington has the advantage ATS. Weber State held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers two times in the last five game, while Eastern Washington wasn’t able to do so in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – EastWa, ATS Winner – EastWa
Notes
Eastern Washington is one of the highest-scoring teams in the nation, averaging 82.6 points per game (ranked 11th). Weber State allows 66.2 points per game (ranked 40th).
Eastern Washington leads all teams in points per home game this season, averaging 90.2 points. Conversely, Weber State allows a whopping 72.7 points per game on the road (ranked 106th).
The Eastern Washington Eagles rank eighth for their offensive rating of 117.7. The Weber State Wildcats have a defensive rating of 95.8 (ranked 21st).
The Eastern Washington Eagles average 70.2 possessions and 1.177 points per possession in games this season. The Weber State Wildcats average fewer possessions with 69.0, as well as fewer points per possession with 1.114.
The Weber State Wildcats have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking 17th in the country with an eFG% of 55.7%. When their opponents record a similar or higher eFG%, the Eastern Washington Eagles have a subpar 2-7 record.
Weber State, the 84th-ranked team in rebounding, registers an average of 38.0 rebounds per game. Eastern Washington does worse, ranked 303rd with 33.4.
On average, Eastern Washington makes 6.0 steals per game. Weber State has a winning 12-7 record when it gives up at least 5 steals.
