The Nicholls Colonels (2-4) meet the North Carolina Central Eagles (1-4) in the Emerald Coast Classic at The Arena at NW Florida St. The game is scheduled to get underway at 12 p.m. ET on Friday, November 23, 2018.
Nicholls Colonels vs. North Carolina Central Eagles ATS Prediction
The Colonels are trying to rebound after their 75-55 loss to the Ole Miss Rebels in their last outing. Ole Miss’ 0.315 free throw rate was their biggest strength over Nicholls, who had a mark of 0.062. The Rebels’ mark was above their season average of 0.231, while the Colonels’ was below their season average of 0.205. Gavin Peppers was Nicholls’ leading scorer with 14 points on 5-for-14 shooting.
In the Eagles’ previous outing, they were beaten by the George Mason Patriots, 78-63. George Mason’s turnover percentage was their largest advantage over North Carolina Central. The Patriots had a rate of 12.6 (better than their season average of 19.8), while the Eagles posted a mark of 23.7 (above the 15.9 mark opponents have averaged against George Mason this season). North Carolina Central’s Randy Miller, Jr. put together a solid game, leading the team in scoring with 19 points on 6-for-10 shooting.
It might be a sloppy game for the North Carolina Central offense. Since last season, North Carolina Central ranks 324th in the country in ball protection (turnover percentage of 21.2 percent), while the gambling defense of Nicholls has forced the 20th-most turnovers in the NCAA (22.3 percent).
Nicholls vs. North Carolina Central ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – North Carolina Central, ATS Winner – Nicholls, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes (2017-Present):
Nicholls ranks fifth in steals per game (9.2) while North Carolina Central ranks 246th (5.2).
The Eagles rank 62nd in rebounds allowed per game (32.8) while the Colonels rank 259th (36.9).
Nicholls ranks 98th in three pointers attempted per game (23.8) while North Carolina Central ranks 292nd (18.5).
The Eagles rank 50th in assists per game (15.6) while the Colonels rank 176th in assists allowed per game (13.5).
North Carolina Central averages 3.2 blocks per game, which ranks 167th in the NCAA. Nicholls ranks 197th in blocks allowed per game (3.7).
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