It will be a battle between SthLnd opponents when the UIW Cardinals (5-9, 0-1 SthLnd) welcome the Nicholls Colonels (8-6, 1-0 SthLnd) to the Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center. The game is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 5, 2019.
Nicholls Colonels vs. UIW Cardinals Free Prediction
The last time the Colonels played, they dismantled the Mississippi College Choctaws, 86-58. Nicholls’ turnover percentage was their largest strength over Mississippi College. The Colonels had a rate of 14.8, while the Choctaws posted a mark of 27.1. With 28 points on 11-for-16 shooting, Jeremiah Jefferson was the top scorer from either team.
The Cardinals were blown out by the Texas Tech Red Raiders in their last matchup, 87-37. Texas Tech’s 0.675 effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over UIW, who had a rate of 0.286. With 16 points on 5-for-9 shooting, Antoine Smith Jr. was UIW’s high scorer.
The aggressive UIW offense seems poised to dominate from the charity stripe. The Cardinals currently rank 17th in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.314, while Nicholls ranks 181st in FTA rate allowed (0.230). Conflicting tempos will be on display in this battle. The up-and-down Colonels rank 53rd in possessions per game, while the more methodical Cardinals rank 327th.
After the Colonels won the sole contest against the Cardinals last season, 77-60, these teams will meet for the first time this year. The Colonels had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (46.9 vs. 34.3) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.585 vs. 0.443).
Nicholls Colonels at UIW Cardinals Betting Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Nicholls, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Nicholls ranks 18th in three pointers attempted per game (28.3) while UIW ranks 269th (15.2).
The Cardinals rank 43rd in rebounds allowed per game (31.9) while the Colonels rank 249th (40.6).
Nicholls ranks 37th in blocks per game (4.6) while UIW ranks 181st (1.4).
The Colonels rank 23rd in steals allowed per game (5.0) while the Cardinals rank 119th (6.7).
Nicholls ranks 145th in assists per game (13.0) while UIW ranks 235th (10.2).
Bettings Trends:
The Colonels’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.2, up from 0.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cardinals have scored an average of 60.4 points per game (5.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.4 points per game (6.0 below their season average).
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