The La Salle Explorers (9-12, 3-5 A10) will attempt to put an end to their seven-game road losing streak in a matchup against the Davidson Wildcats (10-9, 5-3 A10) at Belk Arena. The game begins at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 31, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 142 points with Davidson set as a 7.5-point favorite.
La Salle Explorers at Davidson Wildcats Betting Prediction
The Explorers come in on a high note after topping the Massachusetts Minutemen in their last matchup, 87-72. The Explorers had a turnover percentage of 10.4 (better than their season average of 14.8) and held the Minutemen to an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.2 (below their season average of 28.8). La Salle was led by B.J. Johnson, who was the top scorer from either team with 26 points on 9-for-17 shooting.
In the Wildcats’ last game, they lost a close one to the Richmond Spiders, 66-63. Richmond’s turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Davidson. The Spiders had a rate of 8.8 (better than their season average of 16.2), while the Wildcats posted a mark of 23.5 (above their season average of 12.5). Davidson’s Jon Axel Gudmundsson had a solid game, leading the team in scoring with 21 points on 7-for-14 shooting.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Davidson should have a substantial edge. The upper-echelon Wildcats offense ranks 26th in the NCAA in that metric at 0.563, while the porous La Salle defense is ranked 254th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.520). The Explorers should be expected to protect the ball well. They rank 38th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.6 percent), while the Wildcats force the 54th-fewest turnovers in the nation (opponents’ turnover percentage of 17.0 percent).
La Salle heads into the contest with records of 9-12 straight up (SU) and 8-10-2 against the spread (ATS). Vegas tends to place the total low when the Explorers are involved, as 14 of their 20 games have ended over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Davidson is 10-9 SU and 9-8-1 ATS. Unlike La Salle, games including the Wildcats have typically gone under the total (66.7 percent).
Isiah Deas has averaged 16.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals over the last five games for La Salle.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will meet for the first time this year. In the last game, the Wildcats won 82-73. The Wildcats knocked down 17 of their 20 free throws (85.0 percent) and had a better turnover percentage (18.7 vs. 20.7).
La Salle Explorers at Davidson Wildcats Betting Pick
Free Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Davidson, ATS Winner – La Salle, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, La Salle is 3-6-2 ATS with 6 overs and 5 unders.
At home, Davidson is 3-3 ATS with 4 unders and 2 overs.
Davidson ranks 27th in assists per game (16.9) while La Salle ranks 213th (12.1).
The Wildcats rank 12th in three pointers attempted per game (28.5) while the Explorers rank 163rd (21.5).
La Salle ranks 170th in rebounds per game (35.2) while Davidson ranks 252nd (32.7).
The Wildcats rank 21st in steals allowed per game (4.9) while the Explorers rank 85th (6.0).
Davidson is 29th in the NCAA with 2.5 blocks allowed per game while La Salle is 56th with 2.9 blocks allowed per game.
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, La Salle is 1-4 ATS with 5 overs.
Davidson is 4-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Explorers have outscored opponents by an average of 0.4 points in their last five games. On the season, La Salle has been defeated by an average of 0.3 points.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 71.4 points per game (3.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 58.8 points per game (8.9 below their season average).
