It will be a battle between SthLnd opponents when the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (9-8, 2-3 SthLnd) welcome the Abilene Christian Wildcats (16-3, 5-1 SthLnd) to William R. Johnson Coliseum. The game gets underway at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 23, 2019.
Abilene Christian Wildcats at Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks Betting Prediction
The Wildcats come in on a high note after defeating the Northwestern State Demons in their last matchup, 78-69. The Wildcats held the Demons to an effective field goal percentage of 0.448 (below the 0.501 mark opponents have averaged against Abilene Christian this season) and had a better offensive rebounding percentage (30.6 vs. 26.8). With 19 points on 6-for-9 shooting, B.J. Maxwell was the game’s high scorer.
In the Lumberjacks’ last matchup, they won a close one over the UIW Cardinals, 74-71. The Lumberjacks had a fantastic effective field goal percentage of 0.619 (above their season average of 0.495) and held the Cardinals to an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.0 (below the 30.9 mark opponents have averaged against Stephen F. Austin this season). Kevon Harris was the game’s leading scorer with 25 points on 7-for-9 shooting from the field.
After the Lumberjacks won both contests against the Wildcats last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent contest, Stephen F. Austin won 76-56. The Lumberjacks had a much better free throw rate (0.259 vs. 0.098) and had a much better turnover percentage (16.0 vs. 29.2).
Stephen F. Austin might struggle to find the bottom of the net as they battle against one of the nation’s best defenses. Abilene Christian ranks 56th in defensive efficiency, while the Lumberjacks rank 288th in offensive efficiency.
Abilene Christian at Stephen F. Austin ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Abilene Christian, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Abilene Christian ranks second in three pointers allowed per game (16.3) while Stephen F. Austin ranks 216th (24.7).
The Wildcats rank 30th in assists allowed per game (10.7) while the Lumberjacks rank 187th (14.8).
Abilene Christian averages 8.6 steals per game, which ranks 17th in the nation. Stephen F. Austin ranks 145th in steals allowed per game (7.1).
The Lumberjacks rank 164th in rebounds per game (35.4) while the Wildcats rank 252nd (32.7).
Abilene Christian is 24th in the NCAA with 2.5 blocks allowed per game while Stephen F. Austin is 46th with 2.8 blocks allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.4, down from 12.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Lumberjacks have scored an average of 66.4 points per game (2.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 67.6 points per game (1.4 below their season average).
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