The Toledo Rockets (21-9, 13-4 MAC) and Eastern Michigan Eagles (19-11, 10-7 MAC) close out the regular season when they go head-to-head at Savage Arena. The game is scheduled to start at 12 p.m. ET on Friday, March 2, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 144 points with Toledo opening as a 5-point favorite.
Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Toledo Rockets Betting Prediction
The Eagles will be looking for similar success after beating the Western Michigan Broncos in their last contest, 74-58. The Eagles, who came into the game averaging an effective field goal percentage of 0.524, had a great mark of 0.596 and had a turnover percentage of 10.7 (better than their season average of 16.8). With 21 points on 6-for-14 shooting, Paul Jackson was the game’s high scorer.
In the Rockets’ last game, they won big over the Northern Illinois Huskies, 97-67. The Rockets had a ridiculous effective field goal percentage of 0.695 (above their season average of 0.556) and had a turnover percentage of 10.4 (better than their season average of 15.0). With 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, Toledo’s Tre’Shaun Fletcher led the way with his zeroth triple-double of the season.
This battle pits one of the nation’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses as Toledo ranks 22nd in offensive efficiency and Eastern Michigan is 57th in defensive efficiency. Moreover, the Eagles rank 269th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.213), while the Rockets rank 38th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.191).
Eastern Michigan comes into the game with records of 19-11 straight up (SU) and 14-10 against the spread (ATS). Vegas is known to set the total high when the Eagles are involved, as 15 of their 24 games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, Toledo is 21-9 SU and 14-13 ATS. Contrary to Eastern Michigan, Rockets games tend to go over the projected point total (59.3 percent).
Elijah Minnie has averaged 20.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.8 blocks over the last five games for Eastern Michigan.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Jackson put up 18 points and 10 assists in the first game, in which the Eagles beat the Rockets 85-79, covering as 2.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 164 points, which was 23.5 points above the projected point total of 140.5 points. The Eagles had a better turnover percentage (8.2 vs. 10.5) and had a better free throw rate (0.197 vs. 0.183).
Eastern Michigan Eagles vs. Toledo Rockets Betting Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Eastern Michigan, ATS Winner – Eastern Michigan, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Eastern Michigan is 7-6 ATS with 7 unders and 6 overs.
At home, Toledo is 5-7 ATS with 8 overs and 4 unders.
Eastern Michigan ranks seventh in steals per game (8.7) while Toledo ranks 249th (3.7).
The Rockets rank 28th in assists allowed per game (11.1) while the Eagles rank 205th (14.6).
Toledo ranks 82nd in three pointers attempted per game (24.0) while Eastern Michigan ranks 232nd (19.5).
The Eagles average 6.2 blocks per game, which ranks fourth in the nation. The Rockets rank 87th in blocks allowed per game (3.2).
Toledo averages 36.9 rebounds per game, which ranks 88th in the nation. Eastern Michigan ranks 156th in rebounds allowed per game (35.0).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Eastern Michigan is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Toledo is 2-3 ATS with 5 overs over their last five games.
The Eagles’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.4, up from 5.0 for the season.
During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 83.6 points per game (3.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 80.2 points per game (5.1 above their season average).
