The Howard Bison (6-6) and the Hampton Pirates (4-7), who both like to play up-tempo, will battle at Hampton Convocation Center. The game starts at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 22, 2018.
Howard Bison at Hampton Pirates Betting Prediction
The last time the Bison played, they blew out the Washington Adventist Shock, 115-91. The Bison had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.564 vs. 0.419) and had a better turnover percentage (10.1 vs. 13.6). With 27 points on 10-for-15 shooting, Chad Lott was the top scorer from either team.
The Pirates won big over the Mid-Atlantic Christian Mustangs in their last contest, 110-58. The Pirates had a much better free throw rate (0.222 vs. 0.036) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.568 vs. 0.327). Jermaine Marrow was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points on 9-for-17 shooting from the field.
After the Pirates won the sole contest against the Bison last season, 95-81, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Pirates had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.617 vs. 0.484) and had a better free throw rate (0.350 vs. 0.297).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. RJ Cole (0 points) has been great for the Bison while Marrow (0 points) has made solid contributions to the Pirates.
There should be a fair amount of transition offense in this matchup that showcases two of the country’s more fast-breaking teams. Hampton ranks 36th in possessions per game (76.1) and Howard is 12th (77.3). The Bison should be expected to protect the ball well. They rank 18th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 15.6 percent), while the Pirates force the 81st-fewest turnovers in the NCAA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 18.0 percent).
Howard vs. Hampton Odds Pick
Free College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Howard, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Hampton ranks 22nd in rebounds per game (42.6) while Howard ranks 238th in rebounds allowed per game (41.0).
The Pirates average 12.6 assists per game, which ranks 95th in the NCAA. The Bison rank 187th in assists allowed per game (15.3).
Howard ranks 35th in blocks per game (4.8) while Hampton ranks 113th in blocks allowed per game (5.0).
The Bison are 24th in the nation with 4.9 steals allowed per game while the Pirates are 56th with 5.5 steals allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Bison’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 20.0, up from 2.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pirates have scored an average of 75.6 points per game (4.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.6 points per game (0.9 above their season average).
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