The UIC Flames (17-14, 12-6 Hor) clash against the Milwaukee Panthers (15-16, 8-10 Hor) in the Horizon Conference Tourney at Little Caesars Arena. The game starts at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 4, 2018, and will air on ESPN 3.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 140 points with neither team favored.
Milwaukee Panthers vs. UIC Flames ATS Prediction
The last time the Panthers played, they were defeated by the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, 72-70. Oakland’s free throw rate was their largest advantage over Milwaukee. The Golden Grizzlies had a rate of 0.260 (below their season average of 0.280), while the Panthers posted a mark of 0.133 (below their season average of 0.190). Brock Stull led Milwaukee in scoring with 19 points on 7-for-17 shooting.
The Flames fell to the Wright State Raiders in their last outing, 88-81. Wright State’s 9.4 turnover percentage was their largest advantage over UIC, who had a rate of 17.5. The Raiders’ mark was better than their season average of 17.2. UIC’s Tarkus Ferguson contributed 13 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the game.
It will be a showdown of conflicting styles as the up-and-down Flames will look to push the more methodical Panthers. The Flames rank 46th in possessions per game while the Panthers are 280th.
Milwaukee holds records of 15-16 straight up (SU) and 14-15 against the spread (ATS). Games including the Panthers tend to finish under the total (62.1 percent).
Meanwhile, UIC is 17-14 SU and 14-13 ATS. Unlike Milwaukee, just over half of Flames games have finished over the total.
The Flames have won both matchups against the Panthers this season, including a decisive 18-point victory in their last matchup. UIC covered as a 4-point underdog and the game finished with a total of 130 points, which was 9.5 points below the projected point total of 139.5 points. UIC had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.544 vs. 0.404). Milwaukee, meanwhile, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (25.0 vs. 20.6). Ferguson was the game’s top overall scorer with 19 points.
Milwaukee Panthers vs. UIC Flames Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – UIC, ATS Winner – UIC, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
UIC ranks second in blocks per game (7.0) while Milwaukee ranks 167th in blocks allowed per game (4.0).
The Panthers rank 85th in assists allowed per game (12.4) while the Flames rank 243rd (15.5).
Milwaukee ranks 88th in rebounds allowed per game (33.2) while UIC ranks 234th (37.1).
The Panthers rank 163rd in three pointers attempted per game (21.5) while the Flames rank 241st (19.1).
UIC ranks 69th in steals per game (6.9) while Milwaukee ranks 98th in steals allowed per game (6.0).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Milwaukee is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
UIC is 1-4 ATS with 5 overs over their last five games.
The Panthers have outscored opponents by an average of 3.0 points in their last five games. For the season, Milwaukee has scored an equal number of points as their opponents.
During their last five games, the Flames have scored an average of 81.6 points per game (6.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 83.0 points per game (10.5 above their season average).
