In their final home game of the season, the Duquesne Dukes (15-14, 6-10 A10) host the Saint Louis Billikens (16-13, 9-7 A10) at A.J. Palumbo Center. The game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 28, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 130.5 points with neither team favored.
Saint Louis Billikens at Duquesne Dukes Betting Prediction
The Billikens will be hoping for similar success after defeating the George Washington Colonials in their last outing, 62-53. The Billikens had a ridiculous free throw rate of 0.380 (above their season average of 0.299) and held the Colonials to an effective field goal percentage of 0.382 (below their season average of 0.494). Javon Bess had a good outing for Saint Louis, contributing 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The last time the Dukes played, they were beaten by the Davidson Wildcats, 71-60. One of Davidson’s biggest advantages was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 18-22 (81.8 percent), while the Dukes were just 5-9 (55.6 percent). Duquesne’s Eric Williams Jr. contributed 12 points and six rebounds in the game.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when a pair of the nation’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Duquesne ranks 260th in possessions per game (67.8) and Saint Louis is 337th (64.7). Also, the Billikens rank 58th in opponents’ effective field goal percentage (0.481), while the Dukes rank 280th in effective field goal percentage (0.490).
Saint Louis heads into the contest with records of 16-13 straight up (SU) and 17-9 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Billikens’ games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Duquesne is 15-14 SU and 12-9 ATS. Just over half of Dukes games have also finished under the total.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Jordan Goodwin had 13 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in the first game, in which the Billikens beat the Dukes 76-63, covering as 4.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 139 points, which was 11 points above the projected point total of 128 points. The Billikens had a much better free throw rate (0.440 vs. 0.293) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.540 vs. 0.397).
Saint Louis Billikens vs. Duquesne Dukes ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Saint Louis, ATS Winner – Saint Louis, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Saint Louis is 7-5 ATS with 7 unders and 5 overs.
At home, Duquesne is 6-4 ATS with 6 overs and 4 unders.
Duquesne ranks 92nd in three pointers attempted per game (23.7) while Saint Louis ranks 289th (16.8).
The Billikens rank 44th in rebounds allowed per game (32.1) while the Dukes rank 153rd (34.9).
Duquesne ranks 36th in blocks per game (4.5) while Saint Louis ranks 101st in blocks allowed per game (3.3).
The Billikens rank 217th in assists per game (12.2) while the Dukes rank 245th (11.7).
Duquesne is 38th in the NCAA with 5.2 steals allowed per game while Saint Louis is 59th with 5.5 steals allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Saint Louis is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
Duquesne is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Billikens have been outscored by an average of 0.6 points in their last five games. On the season, Saint Louis has defeated opponents by an average of 1.3 points.
During their last five games, the Dukes have scored an average of 66.4 points per game (5.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 78.8 points per game (9.5 above their season average).
