It will be a battle between CUSA opponents when the UAB Blazers (17-12, 8-8 CUSA) welcome the Marshall Thundering Herd (20-9, 11-5 CUSA) to Bartow Arena. The game will air on beIN Sports at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 1, 2018.
UAB is a 3-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 159 points.
Marshall Thundering Herd at UAB Blazers ATS Prediction
In the Thundering Herd’s last outing, they dismantled the Charlotte 49ers, 103-75. Marshall’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Charlotte. The Thundering Herd had a rate of 8.3 (better than their season average of 16.2), while the 49ers posted a mark of 15.8. Marshall was lifted by Jon Elmore, who was the game’s leading scorer with 38 points on 13-for-17 shooting.
The Blazers were blown out by the No. 24 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders in their last contest, 79-54. Middle Tennessee’s turnover percentage was their largest strength over UAB. The Blue Raiders had a rate of 9.2 (better than their season average of 16.0), while the Blazers posted a mark of 20.5 (above their season average of 16.7). With 13 points on 3-for-6 shooting, Zack Bryant was UAB’s high scorer.
UAB figures to have an edge on the offensive glass in this battle. The Blazers rank 100th in offensive rebounding percentage (31.5 percent), while Marshall ranks 285th in defensive rebounding percentage (68.8 percent).
Marshall holds records of 20-9 straight up (SU) and 16-10 against the spread (ATS). Thundering Herd games have no tendency in regards to the projected point total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, UAB is 17-12 SU and 10-13 ATS. Vegas tends to set the total high when the Blazers are involved, as 14 of their 26 games have ended under the total.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Chris Cokley led both teams with 28 points in the first game, in which the Blazers lost 86-78, unable to cover as 1-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 164 points, which was just 1.5 points above the projected point total of 162.5 points. One of Marshall’s largest strengths was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 18-18 (100.0 percent), while the Blazers were just 5-13 (38.5 percent).
Marshall Thundering Herd vs. UAB Blazers Free Pick
Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Marshall, ATS Winner – Marshall, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Marshall is 7-5 ATS with 6 overs and 6 unders.
At home, UAB is 3-6 ATS with 7 unders and 2 overs.
Marshall averages 28.4 three pointers per game, which ranks 11th in the nation. UAB ranks 281st in three pointers allowed per game (26.2).
The Blazers rank 28th in rebounds allowed per game (31.3) while the Thundering Herd rank 295th (40.8).
UAB ranks 19th in assists per game (16.7) while Marshall ranks 220th in assists allowed per game (14.9).
The Thundering Herd average 6.9 steals per game, which ranks 73rd in the nation. The Blazers rank 182nd in steals allowed per game (7.0).
Marshall averages 6.3 blocks per game, which ranks fourth in the nation. UAB ranks 76th in blocks allowed per game (3.0).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Marshall is 4-1 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
UAB is 1-4 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Thundering Herd’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.8, up from 5.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Blazers have scored an average of 64.4 points per game (11.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.8 points per game (0.4 above their season average).
