The Xavier Musketeers (6-4) clash with the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (6-4) at the Cintas Center. The game begins at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 15, 2018.
Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Xavier Musketeers Free Prediction
In the Colonels’ last outing, they were dismantled by the Marshall Thundering Herd, 105-77. Marshall’s 0.553 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Eastern Kentucky, who had a mark of 0.344. Nick Mayo led Eastern Kentucky in scoring with 26 points on 9-for-23 shooting.
The Musketeers were victorious over the IUPUI Jaguars in their last game, 82-69. The Musketeers had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (32.5 vs. 23.1) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.538 vs. 0.438). Ryan Welage was the top scorer from either team with 24 points on 9-for-17 shooting from the field.
Mayo has averaged 0 points over the last five games for Eastern Kentucky.
Look for Xavier to dominate the offensive glass in this matchup. The Musketeers are among the NCAA’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 59th in offensive rebounding percentage at 33.6 percent. Meanwhile, Eastern Kentucky ranks 257th in the NCAA at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 69.8 percent. Opposite tempos will be on display in this showdown. The up-and-down Colonels rank second in possessions per game, while the more methodical Musketeers rank 284th.
Eastern Kentucky Colonels vs. Xavier Musketeers Pick
Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Xavier, ATS Winner – Eastern Kentucky, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Xavier ranks 40th in rebounds allowed per game (31.9) while Eastern Kentucky ranks 285th (42.9).
The Colonels average 27.7 three pointers per game, which ranks 21st in the NCAA. The Musketeers rank 233rd in three pointers allowed per game (25.2).
Eastern Kentucky ranks fifth in steals per game (9.7) while Xavier ranks 104th (6.6).
The Colonels average 13.9 assists per game, which ranks 118th in the country. The Musketeers rank 210th in assists allowed per game (14.8).
Eastern Kentucky ranks 74th in blocks per game (3.8) while Xavier ranks 100th in blocks allowed per game (3.3).
Bettings Trends:
The Colonels’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 0.4, down from 0.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Musketeers have scored an average of 78.8 points per game (2.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 79.6 points per game (8.3 above their season average).
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