It will be a battle between Summit opponents when the Western Illinois Leathernecks (5-9, 0-1 Summit) welcome the Denver Pioneers (5-10, 0-1 Summit) to Western Hall. The game gets underway at 5:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 30, 2018.
Denver Pioneers vs. Western Illinois Leathernecks ATS Prediction
The last time the Pioneers played, they topped the Maine Black Bears, 63-50. The Pioneers had a better free throw rate (0.151 vs. 0.103) and had a much better turnover percentage (13.5 vs. 19.3). Denver was led by Ronnie Harrell Jr., who was the game’s high scorer with 18 points on 6-for-13 shooting.
The Leathernecks were beaten by the Creighton Bluejays in their last matchup, 78-67. Creighton’s 0.548 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Western Illinois, who had a rate of 0.428. Western Illinois’ Kobe Webster put together a solid performance, leading both teams in scoring with 24 points on 10-for-22 shooting.
After the Pioneers won both games against the Leathernecks last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the most recent matchup, Denver won 89-52. The Pioneers had a much better turnover percentage (8.4 vs. 22.0) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (35.9 vs. 17.1).
Webster has averaged 0 points over the last five games for Western Illinois.
Second-chance opportunities might be few and far between for Western Illinois in this battle. The Leathernecks are among the country’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 312th in offensive rebounding percentage at 24.3 percent. Meanwhile, Denver ranks 49th in the NCAA at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 75.5 percent. Additionally, the Pioneers, who rank 320th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.178), could have a tough time getting to the line against the Leathernecks, who rank 34th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.177).
Denver Pioneers vs. Western Illinois Leathernecks Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Western Illinois, ATS Winner – Western Illinois, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Western Illinois ranks 35th in blocks per game (4.7) while Denver ranks 122nd (2.7).
The Leathernecks rank 157th in three pointers attempted per game (21.7) while the Pioneers rank 216th in three pointers allowed per game (26.0).
Denver averages 35.1 rebounds per game, which ranks 171st in the NCAA. Western Illinois ranks 205th in rebounds allowed per game (38.3).
Bettings Trends:
The Pioneers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.6, down from 8.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Leathernecks have scored an average of 80.4 points per game (7.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 70.0 points per game (2.2 below their season average).
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