The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (23-7) head to Western Kentucky to play the Hilltoppers (15-15) in what should be a low-scoring game. Action starts at 8:00 pm ET on Saturday, Mar. 5.
The Hilltoppers defeated Southern Miss 75-60 on Thursday. Aaron Cosby was the game’s high scorer with 25 points on 8-for-16 shooting. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, are coming off a 97-94 win over Marshall on Thursday. Alex Hamilton led the game in scoring by registering 38 points on 12-for-17 shooting.
Hamilton has upped his play over the last five games for the Bulldogs, averaging 25.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 3.0 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 1.8 three-pointers.
The Hilltoppers come into this game 15-15 Straight Up (SU) and 13-13 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last 10 games, they have had success covering the spread (7-3). Western Kentucky has averaged 82.0 points per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 75.8.
As for their opponent, the Bulldogs head into the game with records of 12-10 ATS and 23-7 SU. The Bulldogs rank 26th in the country in scoring, averaging 80.0 points per game. Louisiana Tech’s three-point defense is one of the top in the country, with opponents making only 6.0 shots from the three-point line per game.
The conference foes will be squaring off for the first time this season. In their most recent meeting a season ago, Louisiana Tech came out on top, bringing its SU record to 1-0. Furthermore, Louisiana Tech leads the matchup ATS with a record of 1-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – LaTech, ATS Winner – LaTech
Notes
Western Kentucky averages 75.8 points per game (ranked 98th). Louisiana Tech, on the other hand, allows 71.4 points per game (ranked 140th).
Louisiana Tech is one of the top-scoring teams on the road, averaging 77.7 points per game (ranked 24th). Western Kentucky, on the other hand, allows 70.9 points per home game (ranked 178th).
Ranked 20th, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs have one of the top defenses in the country, giving up just 97.5 points per 100 possessions. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers rank 92nd in offense, scoring 109.6 points in the same number of possessions.
The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs average 73.1 possessions per game and 1.094 points per possession. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers earn fewer possessions with 69.2, but they score more points with 1.096.
Western Kentucky has an average effective field goal percentage of 51.9%. Louisiana Tech is a poor 3-5 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, Western Kentucky attempts 18.0 three pointers and Louisiana Tech attempts 21.0. In games where they have 20 or more three point attempts, the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers are even at 7-7 while the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs have a fantastic 17-5 record.
Western Kentucky ranks 65th in rebounds per game with 38.6 and Louisiana Tech ranks 72nd with 38.3 rebounds per game.
Louisiana Tech ranks 168th in offensive rebounds, while Western Kentucky ranks at 97th in defensive rebounds.
Louisiana Tech averages a forced turnover rate of 19.9% this season, ranked 19th in the nation. Western Kentucky has a 9-8 record when it suffers a turnover rate equal to or exceeding this.
