It will be a battle between CUSA opponents when the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8-5) welcome the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (7-4) to E.A. Diddle Arena. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 28, 2017, and will air on beIN Sports.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 148.5 points with Western Kentucky opening as a 6.5-point favorite.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers ATS Prediction
The last time the Bulldogs played, they were topped by the Texas Longhorns, 75-60. Getting to the free throw line was one of Texas’ largest strengths. They had 34 free throw attempts, while Louisiana Tech had just 18. DaQuan Bracey was the game’s high scorer with 24 points on 8-for-13 shooting.
The Hilltoppers dismantled the Austin Peay Governors in their last contest, 72-53. Western Kentucky’s 0.627 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Austin Peay, who had a mark of 0.389. The Hilltoppers’ mark was above their season average of 0.542, while the Governors’ was below their season average of 0.500. Darius Thompson was the top scorer from either team with 21 points on 9-for-15 shooting.
A focal point for the Louisiana Tech offense is getting to the free throw line. The Bulldogs rank 11th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.330), but Western Kentucky is among the best in the NCAA at keeping opponents away from the charity stripe (ranking 43rd by yielding a FTA rate of 0.179).
Louisiana Tech has a respectable 7-4 straight up (SU) record, but they are just 4-5 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total high when the Bulldogs are involved, as 66.7 percent of their games have ended under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Western Kentucky is 8-5 SU and 8-3 ATS. Unlike Louisiana Tech, games including the Hilltoppers have finished over the projected point total 54.5 percent of the time.
After the Bulldogs won the sole game against the Hilltoppers last season, 76-67, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Bulldogs’ turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over the Hilltoppers. Louisiana Tech had a rate of 11.1, while Western Kentucky posted a mark of 14.6.
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Louisiana Tech, ATS Winner – Louisiana Tech, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Louisiana Tech is 3-3 ATS on the road with 4 unders and 2 overs.
At home, Western Kentucky is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Louisiana Tech ranks 21st in three pointers allowed per game (17.8) while Western Kentucky ranks 162nd (23.0).
The Bulldogs rank 30th in blocks per game (5.3) while the Hilltoppers rank 108th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
Western Kentucky ranks 36th in steals per game (8.2) while Louisiana Tech ranks 104th (6.5).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Louisiana Tech is 1-3 ATS with 3 unders and 1 over.
Western Kentucky is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Bulldogs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.8, up from 11.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Hilltoppers have scored an average of 77.8 points per game (0.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 72.6 points per game (3.5 above their season average).
