The Valparaiso Crusaders (6-4) go head-to-head with the Ball State Cardinals (6-4) at the Athletics-Recreation Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Ball State Cardinals vs. Valparaiso Crusaders ATS Prediction
The Cardinals will be hoping for similar success after topping the Indiana State Sycamores in their last game, 86-69. The Cardinals had a better free throw rate (0.231 vs. 0.164) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.546 vs. 0.433). With 21 points on 10-for-14 shooting, Tahjai Teague was the game’s leading scorer.
In the Crusaders’ previous game, they dismantled the Concordia University (IL) Cougars, 121-65. The Crusaders had a much better free throw rate (0.424 vs. 0.151) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.705 vs. 0.370). Javon Freeman-Liberty was the top scorer from either team with 22 points on 7-for-8 shooting from the field.
After the Cardinals won the lone contest against the Crusaders last season, 71-70, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Cardinals’ 13.9 turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Crusaders, who had a rate of 22.8.
The high-octane offense of Valparaiso (92nd in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 110.7) will go head-to-head against the mid-tier defense of Ball State (224th in the country with a defensive efficiency of 103.6). The Crusaders figure to have the edge on that end of the court. Also, the Cardinals rank 35th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.295), while the Crusaders rank 49th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.189).
Ball State Cardinals at Valparaiso Crusaders ATS Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Valparaiso, ATS Winner – Ball State, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Valparaiso averages 16.2 assists per game, which ranks 36th in the nation. Ball State ranks 149th in assists allowed per game (13.5).
The Cardinals rank 35th in blocks per game (4.5) while the Crusaders rank 136th (3.0).
Valparaiso ranks 31st in three pointers allowed per game (19.0) while Ball State ranks 131st (22.1).
The Cardinals rank 98th in rebounds per game (37.3) while the Crusaders rank 135th in rebounds allowed per game (34.7).
Ball State ranks 136th in steals per game (6.0) while Valparaiso ranks 142nd in steals allowed per game (6.7).
Bettings Trends:
The Cardinals have been outscored by an average of 2.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Ball State has defeated opponents by an average of 4.9 points.
During their last five games, the Crusaders have scored an average of 78.8 points per game (2.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 68.0 points per game (1.9 below their season average).
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