The Belmont Bruins (10-5, 2-0 OVC) will try to lengthen their five-game winning streak against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (10-5, 2-0 OVC) at Curb Event Center. The game begins at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 4, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 151.5 points with Belmont opening as a 12-point favorite.
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles vs. Belmont Bruins Betting Prediction
The last time the Golden Eagles played, they defeated the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, 77-69. The Golden Eagles made 21 of their 26 free throws (80.8 percent) and held the Colonels to an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.7 (below their season average of 29.9). With 28 points on 10-for-17 shooting, Aleksa Jugovic was the game’s leading scorer.
The Bruins were victorious over the UT Martin Skyhawks in their last game, 65-58. The Bruins held the Skyhawks to an offensive rebounding percentage of 16.7 (below their season average of 33.4) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.447 (below their season average of 0.525). Austin Luke was the top scorer from either team with 19 points on 7-for-15 shooting.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Belmont should have a substantial advantage. The elite Bruins offense ranks 20th in the nation in that metric at 0.574, while the Tennessee Tech defense is ranked 184th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.502). It will also be a battle of opposite tempos as the fast-paced Golden Eagles rank 46th in possessions per game, while the more methodical Bruins rank 271st.
Tennessee Tech is 10-5 straight up (SU), but they have difficulty covering the spread (2-8-1 against the spread (ATS)). Of the Golden Eagles’ 11 games that accepted bets, seven have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Belmont is 10-5 SU and 7-4-2 ATS. Contrary to Tennessee Tech, just over half of Bruins games have finished over the total.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. In the most recent game, the Golden Eagles won 83-70. The Golden Eagles knocked down 21 of their 28 free throws (75.0 percent) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.585 vs. 0.434).
Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles vs. Belmont Bruins ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Belmont, ATS Winner – Tennessee Tech, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Tennessee Tech is 2-6 ATS with 5 unders and 3 overs.
At home, Belmont is 2-2-2 ATS with 4 overs and 2 unders.
Belmont ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (32.1) while Tennessee Tech ranks 245th in three pointers allowed per game (25.7).
The Golden Eagles rank 28th in steals per game (8.4) while the Bruins rank 189th (4.7).
Belmont ranks 20th in blocks allowed per game (2.3) while Tennessee Tech ranks 134th (4.2).
The Bruins rank 58th in assists per game (16.1) while the Golden Eagles rank 163rd in assists allowed per game (14.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Tennessee Tech is 0-4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Belmont is 3-1-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Golden Eagles have been outscored by an average of 3.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Tennessee Tech has defeated opponents by an average of 4.9 points.
During their last five games, the Bruins have scored an average of 79.0 points per game (2.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 65.4 points per game (6.1 below their season average).
