The Missouri State Bears (6-9, 0-2 MVC) will try to end their eight-game road losing streak in a matchup against the Indiana State Sycamores (9-5, 1-1 MVC) at Hulman Center. The game can be seen on ESPN 3 at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.
Missouri State Bears vs. Indiana State Sycamores ATS Prediction
The last time the Bears played, they dismantled the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles, 84-50. Missouri State couldn’t miss, shooting 55.6 percent from the field. Oral Roberts, on the other hand, had a field goal percentage of just 29.3. With 26 points on 11-for-17 shooting, Jarred Dixon was the top scorer from either team.
The Sycamores were beaten by the Ball State Cardinals in their last game, 86-69. Ball State’s 0.231 free throw rate was their largest strength over Indiana State, who had a rate of 0.164. With 16 points on 6-for-18 shooting, Tyreke Key led Indiana State in scoring.
Second-chance opportunities could be hard to find for Indiana State in this meeting. The Sycamores rank 194th in offensive rebounding percentage (28.5 percent), while Missouri State ranks 85th in defensive rebounding percentage (74.2 percent).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Keandre Cook (0 points) has been stellar for the Bears while Key (0 points) has made great contributions to the Sycamores.
After the Bears won both matchups against the Sycamores last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent matchup, Missouri State won 81-62. Missouri State had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.568 vs. 0.381). Indiana State, on the other hand, did a great job of converting from the free throw line (14-17; 82.4 percent).
Missouri State Bears at Indiana State Sycamores ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Indiana State, ATS Winner – Missouri State, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Missouri State ranks 105th in three pointers attempted per game (23.9) while Indiana State ranks 281st (14.1).
The Bears average 4.1 blocks per game, which ranks 62nd in the NCAA. The Sycamores rank 123rd in blocks allowed per game (3.9).
Missouri State ranks 120th in assists per game (13.9) while Indiana State ranks 128th in assists allowed per game (13.2).
Bettings Trends:
The Bears’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.8, up from 0.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Sycamores have scored an average of 75.2 points per game (4.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 66.8 points per game (4.9 below their season average).
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