The Bowling Green Falcons (16-14, 7-10 MAC) and Buffalo Bulls (22-8, 14-3 MAC) bring the regular season to an end when they face off at Stroh Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 6 p.m. ET on Friday, March 2, 2018.
Buffalo is a 7.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 161 points.
Buffalo Bulls at Bowling Green Falcons Betting Prediction
The Bulls will be hoping for similar success after beating the Akron Zips in their last contest, 80-68. The Bulls knocked down 18 of their 24 free throws (75.0 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.596 (above their season average of 0.547). Buffalo was lifted by CJ Massinburg, who was the top scorer from either team with 26 points on 8-for-13 shooting.
In the Falcons’ last game, they lost to the Ohio Bobcats, 75-59. Ohio’s 13.7 turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Bowling Green, who had a mark of 21.6. The Bobcats’ mark was better than their season average of 16.0, while the Falcons’ was above their season average of 15.1. Bowling Green’s Demajeo Wiggins had a good performance, leading both teams in scoring with 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting.
There should be plenty of transition action in this showdown that features two of the nation’s more up-tempo teams. Bowling Green currently ranks 46th in possessions per game (72.7) and Buffalo is 16th (74.7). Also, the Bulls rank 44th in effective field goal percentage (0.548), while the Falcons rank 257th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.520).
Buffalo has a phenomenal 22-8 straight up (SU) record, but they struggle covering the spread (12-13-2 against the spread (ATS)). Bulls games have a tendency to go over the O/U total (63.0 percent).
Meanwhile, Bowling Green owns records of 16-14 SU and 13-10 ATS. Just over half of Falcons games have finished over the total.
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Jeremy Harris (18.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks) has been great for the Bulls while Wiggins (14.8 points and 13.4 rebounds) has contributed greatly to the Falcons.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Massinburg scored a game-high 24 points in the first matchup, in which the Bulls beat the Falcons 95-82 but did not cover as 14-point favorites. He also had 12 rebounds and five assists. The game finished with a total of 177 points, which was 17.5 points above the projected point total of 159.5 points. Buffalo had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.609 vs. 0.452). Bowling Green, meanwhile, did an excellent job of converting from the free throw line (25-29; 86.2 percent).
Buffalo Bulls vs. Bowling Green Falcons ATS Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Buffalo, ATS Winner – Buffalo, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Buffalo is 7-7-1 ATS with 10 overs and 5 unders.
At home, Bowling Green is 5-6 ATS with 6 overs, 4 unders and 1 push.
Buffalo ranks 14th in assists per game (17.1) while Bowling Green ranks 190th in assists allowed per game (14.3).
The Bulls rank 38th in rebounds per game (38.6) while the Falcons rank 209th in rebounds allowed per game (36.5).
Buffalo ranks 32nd in three pointers attempted per game (26.4) while Bowling Green ranks 176th (21.3).
The Bulls rank 57th in blocks per game (4.0) while the Falcons rank 140th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Buffalo is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Bowling Green is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Bulls’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.0, up from 7.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Falcons have scored an average of 73.2 points per game (2.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 79.2 points per game (2.2 above their season average).
