It will be a battle between MAAC opponents when the Quinnipiac Bobcats (5-9, 2-0 MAAC) welcome the Canisius Golden Griffins (8-7, 2-0 MAAC) to TD Bank Sports Center. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, January 5, 2018.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 145.5 points with Canisius set as a 3.5-point favorite.
Canisius Golden Griffins at Quinnipiac Bobcats Free Prediction
The Golden Griffins come in on a high note after topping the Iona Gaels in their last outing, 85-78. Converting at the free throw line was one of Canisius’ biggest advantages. They were 19-22 (86.4 percent), while the Gaels were just 13-24 (54.2 percent). Takal Molson had a good outing for Canisius, recording 21 points and nine rebounds.
In the Bobcats’ last game, they won a close one over the Siena Saints, 71-70. The Bobcats, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 26.1, had an absurd mark of 41.9 and had a free throw rate of 0.423 (above their season average of 0.277). Cameron Young was the top scorer from either team with 26 points on 4-for-12 shooting.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the NCAA’s slowest-paced teams go head-to-head. Quinnipiac ranks 287th in possessions per game (67.9) and Canisius is 271st (68.4). Furthermore, the sharp-shooting offense of the Golden Griffins ranks 56th in effective field goal percentage (0.553), while the Bobcats are 42nd-worst in the nation at effective field goal percentage allowed (0.542).
Canisius holds records of 8-7 straight up (SU) and 8-4-1 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Golden Griffins have a tendency to finish under the total (69.2 percent).
Quinnipiac has a respectable 6-3-1 record ATS, despite being 5-9 SU. Bobcats games also tend to finish under the O/U total (60.0 percent).
Young has averaged 20.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks over the last five games for Quinnipiac.
After splitting two games last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Bobcats won the last game 95-90. The Bobcats knocked down 27 of their 36 free throws (75.0 percent) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.667 vs. 0.563).
Canisius Golden Griffins vs. Quinnipiac Bobcats ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Canisius, ATS Winner – Canisius, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Canisius is 3-4 ATS on the road with 6 unders and 1 over.
Quinnipiac is 2-1-1 ATS at home with 2 overs and 2 unders.
Canisius averages 16.3 assists per game, which ranks 51st in the NCAA. Quinnipiac ranks 167th in assists allowed per game (14.4).
The Golden Griffins rank eighth in blocks allowed per game (1.9) while the Bobcats rank 88th (3.4).
Canisius ranks 21st in three pointers allowed per game (17.9) while Quinnipiac ranks 92nd (20.9).
The Golden Griffins rank 214th in rebounds per game (33.5) while the Bobcats rank 227th (33.0).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Canisius is 2-0-1 ATS with 2 overs and 1 under.
Quinnipiac is 3-0 ATS with 2 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Golden Griffins’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 7.0, up from 2.2 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bobcats have scored an average of 73.6 points per game (2.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 75.0 points per game (1.2 below their season average).
