The No. 7 Gonzaga Bulldogs (11-2) put their nine-game winning streak on the line when they meet the North Alabama Lions (3-10) at McCarthey Athletic Center. The game will air on ROOT SPORTS at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, December 28, 2018.
North Alabama Lions at Gonzaga Bulldogs Betting Prediction
The Lions are trying to rebound after their 91-74 loss to the Samford Bulldogs in their last matchup. Samford couldn’t miss, shooting 62.3 percent from the field. North Alabama, meanwhile, had a field goal percentage of just 33.3. Jamari Blackmon was North Alabama’s high scorer with 17 points on 4-for-13 shooting.
The last time the Bulldogs took the court, they easily got past the Idaho State Bengals, 120-79. The Bulldogs had a much better free throw rate (0.429 vs. 0.129) and had a much better turnover percentage (7.5 vs. 16.5). Rui Hachimura was the game’s high scorer with 33 points on 13-for-18 shooting from the field.
Gonzaga could dominate on defense as they square off against one of the nation’s worst offenses. The Bulldogs rank 55th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.460), while North Alabama is 337th in effective field goal percentage (0.448). Moreover, the Lions rank 264th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.208), while the Bulldogs rank 53rd in opponents’ FTA rate (0.188).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Blackmon (0 points) has been great for the Lions while Brandon Clarke (0 points) has made great contributions to the Bulldogs.
North Alabama Lions vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs Odds Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Gonzaga, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Gonzaga ranks fifth in assists per game (19.8) while North Alabama ranks 203rd (11.1).
The Bulldogs rank 31st in rebounds per game (40.4) while the Lions rank 218th in rebounds allowed per game (39.2).
North Alabama ranks 29th in three pointers attempted per game (27.5) while Gonzaga ranks 188th in three pointers allowed per game (24.8).
The Bulldogs rank 21st in blocks per game (5.2) while the Lions rank 131st (2.5).
Gonzaga ranks 38th in steals allowed per game (5.4) while North Alabama ranks 91st (6.5).
Bettings Trends:
The Lions’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.6, down from 5.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 98.6 points per game (4.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 73.8 points per game (0.1 below their season average).
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