The Eastern Michigan Eagles (21-12) take on the Niagara Purple Eagles (19-13) in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament at Convocation Center. The game begins at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.
Niagara Purple Eagles at Eastern Michigan Eagles Free Prediction
The Purple Eagles are trying to rebound after their 90-77 loss to the Fairfield Stags in their last game. Fairfield made 12 of their 24 three pointers (50.0 percent), while Niagara was 5-18 (27.8 percent). Dominic Robb was the game’s high scorer with 29 points on 9-for-14 shooting.
In the Eagles’ last game, they lost a close one to the Toledo Rockets, 64-63. Toledo’s free throw rate was their largest strength over Eastern Michigan. The Rockets had a rate of 0.066 (below their season average of 0.280), while the Eagles posted a mark of 0.030 (below their season average of 0.222). With 26 points on 11-for-20 shooting, Paul Jackson was Eastern Michigan’s leading scorer.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Eastern Michigan figures to have a noteworthy edge. The Eagles defense ranks 47th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.478), while the Niagara offense is ranked 171st in effective field goal percentage (0.513). It will also be a showdown of contrasting tempos as the up-tempo Purple Eagles rank 16th in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Eagles rank 287th.
Niagara comes into the contest with records of 19-13 straight up (SU) and 16-12 against the spread (ATS). Of the Purple Eagles’ 28 games that accepted bets, 21 have finished over the total.
Meanwhile, Eastern Michigan owns records of 21-12 SU and 17-10 ATS. Unlike Niagara, games featuring the Eagles have a tendency to go under the total (66.7 percent).
Elijah Minnie and Paul Jackson have played well over the last five games for Eastern Michigan. Minnie has averaged 22.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.2 steals per game. Not to be outdone, Jackson has put up 16.6 points and 6.0 assists a game during that span.
Niagara Purple Eagles vs. Eastern Michigan Eagles Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Eastern Michigan, ATS Winner – Eastern Michigan, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Eastern Michigan ranks sixth in steals per game (8.8) while Niagara ranks 219th (5.0).
The Purple Eagles rank 28th in rebounds per game (38.9) while the Eagles rank 186th (34.6).
Eastern Michigan averages 6.3 blocks per game, which ranks third in the nation. Niagara ranks 156th in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
The Purple Eagles rank 108th in three pointers attempted per game (23.0) while the Eagles rank 233rd (19.3).
Eastern Michigan averages 12.7 assists per game, which ranks 199th in the NCAA. Niagara ranks 271st in assists allowed per game (16.3).
Bettings Trends:
The Purple Eagles’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.0, up from 0.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Eagles have scored an average of 71.4 points per game (0.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 60.4 points per game (6.4 below their season average).
$$$$$
