It will be a battle between MAAC opponents when the Siena Saints (4-11, 0-2 MAAC) welcome the Niagara Purple Eagles (7-8, 0-2 MAAC) to Times Union Center. The game begins at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, January 5, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 159.5 points with Siena opening as a 1.5-point favorite.
Niagara Purple Eagles at Siena Saints Betting Prediction
The Purple Eagles are hoping for a better outcome after their 99-76 loss to the Rider Broncs in their last outing. Rider won the rebounding battle. The Broncs had more offensive rebounds (19 vs. 12), defensive rebounds (31 vs. 24) and total rebounds (50 vs. 36). Marvin Prochet was the game’s leading scorer with 21 points on 7-for-11 shooting.
The last time the Saints played, they lost a close one to the Quinnipiac Bobcats, 71-70. Quinnipiac won the rebounding battle. The Bobcats had 13 offensive rebounds and 32 total rebounds, while the Saints had three and 21, respectively. With 19 points, six steals and five rebounds, Siena’s Roman Penn had a solid game.
Niagara should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. Niagara ranks 11th in the nation at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 14.9 percent), while Siena forces the 35th-fewest turnovers (16.8 percent).
Niagara holds records of 7-8 straight up (SU) and 5-6 against the spread (ATS). Purple Eagles games tend to finish over the total (90.9 percent).
Meanwhile, Siena owns records of 4-11 SU and 3-4 ATS. Contrary to Niagara, games involving the Saints tend to finish under the total (71.4 percent).
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Prochet (13.0 points and 9.8 rebounds) has been stellar for the Purple Eagles while Penn (12.2 points) has made great contributions to the Saints.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. In the last game, the Saints won 76-70. Siena’s 0.218 free throw rate was their largest advantage over Niagara, who had a rate of 0.110.
Niagara Purple Eagles at Siena Saints Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Siena, ATS Winner – Siena, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Niagara is 3-2 ATS with 5 overs and 0 unders.
Siena is 1-2 ATS at home with 2 unders and 1 over.
Siena ranks 116th in rebounds allowed per game (34.5) while Niagara ranks 255th (40.5).
The Saints rank 111th in assists allowed per game (13.1) while the Purple Eagles rank 236th (17.3).
Niagara ranks 12th in steals allowed per game (4.5) while Siena ranks 112th (6.6).
The Purple Eagles average 4.1 blocks per game, which ranks 71st in the nation. The Saints rank 83rd in blocks allowed per game (3.3).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Niagara is 1-3 ATS with 3 overs and 1 under.
Siena is 1-2 ATS with 3 unders over their last five games.
The Purple Eagles’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 4.0, down from 4.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Saints have scored an average of 70.4 points per game (0.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 67.4 points per game (10.1 below their season average).
