The Eastern Michigan Eagles (13-12) look to end a five-game road losing streak in a matchup against the Ohio Bobcats (16-8) at Convocation Center. Action gets underway at 7:00 pm ET on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
The Bobcats dismantled Buffalo 94-75 on Friday. Antonio Campbell played a key role, recording 28 points and 15 rebounds to notch his 12th double-double this season. The Eagles are coming off a 75-70 win against Kent State on Saturday. James Thompson IV played well, accounting for 20 points and 18 rebounds to claim his 16th double-double of the season.
Over the last five games, Campbell has taken his game to another level for the Bobcats, averaging 22.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.0 block, and 1.6 three-pointers.
The Bobcats enter the game with records of 15-8 Straight Up (SU) and 12-7 Against The Spread (ATS). Ohio is excellent from the perimeter, shooting a superb .386 from three-point range.
On the other side, the Eagles have records of 8-10 ATS and 13-12 SU. Eastern Michigan is one of the top foul-shooting teams in the nation, making 19.0 shots from the line per game. Switching gears to the Eastern Michigan defense, the Eagles are a terror in the passing lanes, averaging an impressive 9.7 steals per game.
These conference rivals will be facing off in their first head-to-head clash of the season. When they last met the Bobcats were winners, moving their SU record against Eastern Michigan to 6-4 in their most recent head-to-head meetings. The Eagles lead the matchup ATS with a record of 6-4. Ohio has held the edge in three key areas (field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers) two times over the last five matchups, while Eastern Michigan accomplished this once.
Predictions: SU Winner – EastMi, ATS Winner – EastMi
Notes
Ohio averages 77.7 points per game (ranked 63rd). Eastern Michigan, on the other hand, allows 73.6 points per game (ranked 179th).
Eastern Michigan scores 73.8 points per away game (ranked 74th). Ohio ranks a poor 149th in points allowed at home, allowing 69.5 points.
Ranked 70th, the Ohio Bobcats have an offensive rating of 111.3. The Eastern Michigan Eagles rank 128th with a defensive rating of just 101.2.
The Eastern Michigan Eagles average a field goal percentage of 44.2% this season. The Ohio Bobcats have an abysmal record of 2-6 when opponents have a FG% of 44.2% or greater.
The Ohio Bobcats rank lower for their field goal percentage (40th) than they do for their effective field goal percentage (28th), but the Eastern Michigan Eagles have a better FG% ranking (169th) than eFG% ranking (240th).
Ohio ranks 60th in defensive rebounding. When it comes to offensive rebounds, Eastern Michigan ranks 71st.
Eastern Michigan is one of the best in the country in forcing turnovers, with opponents averaging a TO% of 22.8% (ranked 14th). Ohio is an even 2-2 SU when it has a TO% of 22.8% or greater.
