The Mercer Bears (19-14) clash against the North Texas Mean Green (16-17) in the College Basketball Invitational at The Super Pit. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, March 19, 2018, and will air on ESPN 3.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 140.5 points with neither team favored.
Mercer Bears vs. North Texas Mean Green Betting Prediction
The Bears come in on a high note after topping the Grand Canyon Antelopes in their last outing, 78-73. The Bears made 12 of their 15 free throws (80.0 percent) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 37.9 (above their season average of 31.6). With 21 points on 7-for-15 shooting, Jordan Strawberry was the top scorer from either team.
The last time the Mean Green played, they defeated the South Dakota Coyotes, 90-77. The Mean Green held the Coyotes to an effective field goal percentage of 0.414 (below their season average of 0.537) and had a free throw rate of 0.303 (above their season average of 0.214). Roosevelt Smart was the game’s high scorer with 34 points on 10-for-25 shooting.
The physical Mercer offense looks poised to dominate from the free throw line. The Bears currently rank 46th in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.280, while North Texas ranks 307th in FTA rate allowed (0.286).
Mercer holds records of 19-14 straight up (SU) and 13-12-3 against the spread (ATS). Of the Bears’ 28 games that accepted bets, 15 have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, North Texas owns records of 16-17 SU and 16-11 ATS. Of the Mean Green’s 27 games with betting action, 16 have finished under the total.
Mercer Bears at North Texas Mean Green Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – North Texas, ATS Winner – North Texas, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
North Texas ranks 60th in three pointers allowed per game (20.0) while Mercer ranks 295th (26.2).
The Mean Green rank 28th in assists allowed per game (11.1) while the Bears rank 237th (14.6).
Mercer ranks third in rebounds allowed per game (28.9) while North Texas ranks 132nd (34.3).
The Mean Green rank 198th in blocks per game (2.7) while the Bears rank 259th (1.6).
Mercer ranks 197th in steals per game (5.4) while North Texas ranks 244th (4.8).
Bettings Trends:
The Bears’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.2, down from 6.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Mean Green have scored an average of 70.4 points per game (3.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.8 points per game (1.8 below their season average).
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