The Niagara Purple Eagles (11-8, 4-2 MAAC) will try to continue their five-game road winning streak in a matchup against the Quinnipiac Bobcats (6-12, 3-3 MAAC) at TD Bank Sports Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 18, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 162.5 points with Niagara set as a 3-point favorite.
Niagara Purple Eagles at Quinnipiac Bobcats Betting Prediction
The last time the Purple Eagles played, they beat the Saint Peter’s Peacocks, 73-70. Niagara’s free throw rate was their biggest strength over Saint Peter’s. The Purple Eagles had a rate of 0.245 (below their season average of 0.287), while the Peacocks posted a mark of 0.121 (below their season average of 0.209). Niagara rallied around Matt Scott, who was the game’s high scorer with 23 points on 8-for-12 shooting.
The Bobcats lost big to the Rider Broncs in their last game, 78-60. Rider’s turnover percentage was their biggest strength over Quinnipiac. The Broncs had a rate of 10.7 (better than their season average of 14.0), while the Bobcats posted a mark of 21.7 (above their season average of 16.1). With 19 points on 8-for-16 shooting, Cameron Young was the game’s leading scorer.
The physical Quinnipiac offense might be getting to the foul line a lot in this showdown. The Bobcats currently rank 32nd in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.292, while Niagara ranks 160th in FTA rate allowed (0.227). It will also be a battle of opposite tempos as the fast-breaking Purple Eagles rank 26th in possessions per game, while the more methodical Bobcats rank 261st.
Niagara comes into the game with records of 11-8 straight up (SU) and 8-7 against the spread (ATS). Of the Purple Eagles’ 15 games with betting action, 11 have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Quinnipiac owns records of 6-12 SU and 6-7-1 ATS. Vegas has been spot on when predicting totals of Bobcats games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Young has averaged 22.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals over the last five games for Quinnipiac.
After the Bobcats won two out of three contests against the Purple Eagles last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. In the last matchup, Niagara won 88-69. The Purple Eagles made 26 of their 31 free throws (83.9 percent) and had a much better turnover percentage (12.3 vs. 21.9).
Niagara Purple Eagles vs. Quinnipiac Bobcats Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Niagara, ATS Winner – Niagara, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Niagara is 5-2 ATS with 6 overs and 1 under.
Quinnipiac is 2-3-1 ATS at home with 4 overs and 2 unders.
Quinnipiac ranks 159th in rebounds allowed per game (35.7) while Niagara ranks 266th (40.1).
The Purple Eagles rank 13th in steals allowed per game (4.7) while the Bobcats rank 113th (6.6).
Quinnipiac ranks 22nd in three pointers attempted per game (27.6) while Niagara ranks 115th in three pointers allowed per game (21.5).
The Purple Eagles rank 61st in blocks per game (4.3) while the Bobcats rank 82nd in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
Quinnipiac ranks 214th in assists per game (11.9) while Niagara ranks 224th in assists allowed per game (16.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Niagara is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Quinnipiac is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Purple Eagles have outscored opponents by an average of 1.0 point in their last five games. On the season, Niagara has lost by an average of 2.2 points.
During their last five games, the Bobcats have scored an average of 68.6 points per game (2.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 78.6 points per game (1.4 above their season average).
