It will be a battle between MAAC opponents when the Monmouth Hawks (4-10, 0-2 MAAC) welcome the Manhattan Jaspers (5-6, 2-0 MAAC) to OceanFirst Bank Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, January 5, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 139 points with Monmouth opening as a 5-point favorite.
Manhattan Jaspers at Monmouth Hawks ATS Prediction
The Jaspers will be hoping for similar success after topping the Marist Red Foxes in their last outing, 101-96. Manhattan had a turnover percentage of 12.2 (better than their season average of 22.3). Marist, on the other hand, was lights out from beyond the arc (17-37; 45.9 percent). Manhattan was lifted by Zane Waterman, who was the team’s high scorer with 23 points on 7-for-13 shooting.
In the Hawks’ last game, they fell to the Saint Peter’s Peacocks, 77-64. Saint Peter’s won the rebounding battle. The Peacocks had 12 offensive rebounds and 36 total rebounds, while the Hawks had five and 28, respectively. Micah Seaborn put together a solid game for Monmouth, leading the team in scoring with 16 points on 4-for-7 shooting.
This has potential to be a sloppy game for the offense of Monmouth. Monmouth ranks 331st in the NCAA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 22.7 percent), while the pesky defense of Manhattan forces the 58th-most turnovers in the nation (22.2 percent).
Manhattan heads into the game with records of 5-6 straight up (SU) and 8-4 against the spread (ATS). Of the Jaspers’ 12 games, nine have finished under the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Monmouth owns records of 4-10 SU and 3-7 ATS. Contrary to Manhattan, games featuring the Hawks have typically gone over the projected point total (60.0 percent).
Waterman has averaged 14.0 points and 6.8 rebounds over the last five games for Manhattan.
After the Hawks won both meetings against the Jaspers last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent game, Monmouth won 62-58. Monmouth did a terrific job of getting and making free throws (24-33; 72.7 percent). Manhattan, on the other hand, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (29.5 vs. 23.7).
Manhattan Jaspers at Monmouth Hawks Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Monmouth, ATS Winner – Monmouth, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Manhattan is 6-4 ATS with 7 unders, 2 overs and 1 push.
Monmouth is 0-2 ATS at home with 2 overs and 0 unders.
Manhattan ranks 14th in blocks allowed per game (2.2) while Monmouth ranks 92nd (3.5).
The Jaspers average 14.5 assists per game, which ranks 111th in the nation. The Hawks rank 160th in assists allowed per game (14.2).
Monmouth ranks 219th in three pointers attempted per game (19.1) while Manhattan ranks 237th (18.4).
The Jaspers average 5.8 steals per game, which ranks 143rd in the NCAA. The Hawks rank 155th in steals allowed per game (7.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Manhattan is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Monmouth is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Jaspers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 0.8, down from 2.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hawks have scored an average of 71.8 points per game (1.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 76.2 points per game (1.2 below their season average).
