The Ohio Bobcats (18-9) wrap up the regular season at Convocation Center as they host the Buffalo Bulls (16-12). Action gets underway at 4:00 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 27.
The Bobcats were beaten by Bowling Green 87-82 on Tuesday. Antonio Campbell was the game’s high scorer, finishing with 29 points. The Bulls, meanwhile, are coming off an 87-70 win against Kent State on Tuesday. CJ Massinburg shot 7 for 10 and led in scoring with 21 points.
Over the last five games, Campbell has been playing at a high level for the Bobcats, averaging 26.4 points, 12.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 3.0 three-pointers. Massinburg has also been hot in the same span, averaging 21.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.4 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 2.2 three-pointers while leading the Bulls.
This is the second game of the year between these two teams, with the Bobcats winning the first matchup 94-75. Massinburg had a standout performance with 36 points, five rebounds, three assists, four steals, two blocks, and four three-pointers in the loss.
The Bobcats are hoping to build on their records of 18-9 Straight Up (SU) and 15-8 Against The Spread (ATS). Ohio has consistently been near the top of the nation in terms of field goal percentage, currently ranking 31st in the nation with a FG% of .476. Buffalo has a habit of getting in foul trouble (21.5 fouls per game), so expect the Bobcats to get a number of opportunities from the free throw line.
On the other side, the Bulls have records of 13-11-2 ATS and 16-12 SU. Buffalo has done particularly well ATS over its past 10 matchups, going 7-3. Buffalo is one of the top foul-shooting teams in the nation, hitting 18.0 shots from the line per game.
The Bobcats’ win over Buffalo in their last game brought their SU record to 8-2 over Buffalo in their most recent games. Additionally, Ohio leads the matchup ATS with a record of 6-4. Ohio held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers one time in the last five games, while Buffalo wasn’t able to do so in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – Buff, ATS Winner – Buff
Notes
“Ohio is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games “.
“Ohio is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games “.
“The total has gone OVER in 5 of Ohio’s last 7 games “.
“Ohio is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home”.
“Ohio is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games at home”.
“Ohio is 17-8 ATS in its last 25 games when playing Buffalo”.
“Ohio is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing Buffalo”.
“The total has gone OVER in 6 of Ohio’s last 9 games when playing Buffalo”.
“Ohio is 15-3 SU in its last 18 games when playing at home against Buffalo”.
Ohio and Buffalo both have a 9-6 record against their conference.
Buffalo averages 76.8 points per game (ranked 82nd). Ohio, on the other hand, allows 73.4 points per game (ranked 177th).
The Buffalo Bulls average 72.2 possessions per game and 1.063 points per possession. The Ohio Bobcats earn fewer possessions with 69.4, but they score more points with 1.126.
The Ohio Bobcats have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking 20th in the country with an eFG% of 55.0%. When their opponents record a similar or higher eFG%, the Buffalo Bulls have a poor 2-5 record.
On average, Ohio attempts 21.0 three pointers and Buffalo attempts 21.0. Both teams have winning records when they have 20 or more three point attempts. The Ohio Bobcats sit at 14-7 and the Buffalo Bulls are 13-4.
Ohio ranks 65th in defensive rebounding. When it comes to offensive rebounds, Buffalo ranks 83rd.
Buffalo has forced an average turnover percentage of 19.3% this season. Ohio has a subpar 3-5 record when its TO% is 19.3% or higher.
