Atlantic 10 foes will collide when the Massachusetts Minutemen (12-17) face off against the La Salle Explorers (8-20) at William D. Mullins Center. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 5.
The Minutemen are hoping to rebound after their 68-50 loss to Rhode Island on Thursday. Donte Clark had a good outing, putting up 10 points, nine rebounds, and two steals for Massachusetts. The Explorers, meanwhile, are coming off a 76-68 win against Saint Louis on Wednesday. Cleon Roberts was the game’s top scorer, accounting for 23 points on 8-for-12 shooting.
This is the second game of the year between these two teams, with the Minutemen winning the first matchup 74-67. Seth Berger had a standout performance in the victory, putting up 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block, and one three-pointer.
The Minutemen come into this game 12-17 Straight Up (SU) and 9-16-2 Against The Spread (ATS). The Minutemen have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 63.0 points during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 74.0 points per game. Massachusetts’s three-point defense can be considered one of the best in the nation. The Minutemen allow a .329 opponent three-point field goal percentage, one of the lowest shooting rates in the nation.
In the other locker room, the Explorers have 8-20 SU and 9-15-1 ATS records. Offensively, the Explorers have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 63.7 points per game by averaging 68.9 during that stretch.
The Minutemen’s win over La Salle in their last game bumped their SU record to 6-4 over La Salle in their most recent meetings. Furthermore, Massachusetts holds the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4. Massachusetts held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers twice, while La Salle was never able to do so in their most recent five games.
Predictions: SU Winner – UMass, ATS Winner – UMass
Notes
Massachusetts lost its last game by an 18-point margin. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, La Salle is 1-8. Massachusetts is 2-4 in blowouts this season.
The Massachusetts Minutemen average 72.5 possessions and 1.021 points per possession in games this season. The La Salle Explorers average fewer possessions with 66.1, as well as fewer points per possession with .964.
The Massachusetts Minutemen average an effective field goal percentage of 49.2% this season. The La Salle Explorers have an abysmal record of 2-17 when opponents have an eFG% of 49.2% or greater.
On average, the Massachusetts Minutemen attempt 22.0 three point field goals per game and the La Salle Explorers attempt 24.0. In games where they attempt at least 20 threes, both teams have losing records; Massachusetts is 7-12 and La Salle is 7-16.
La Salle averages a forced turnover rate of 19.9% this season, ranked 22nd in the nation. Massachusetts has a 4-3 record when it suffers a turnover rate equal to or exceeding this.
