The Old Dominion Monarchs (10-10) visit the Florida Atlantic Owls (5-15) in what should be a low-scoring game. Action begins at 7:00 pm ET on Thursday, Jan. 28.
The Owls enter this game hoping for similar success after topping Texas San Antonio 86-71 in their last matchup. Jeantal Cylla was the team’s leading scorer with 22 points on 8-for-13 shooting. The Monarchs, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their close 78-75 loss against Marshall in their last game. Trey Freeman had a game-high 37 points.
Freeman has been hot over the last five games for the Monarchs, averaging 29.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.0 steal, and 2.2 three-pointers.
Half-court execution will be of utmost importance when two of the nation’s slowest-paced teams square off. Florida Atlantic ranks 282nd in possessions per game (67.3), while Old Dominion is 347th (62.2). The Monarchs should also expect to protect the ball well. They rank 16th at avoiding errors (TO% of 15.3%). Conversely, the Owls force the 79th-fewest turnovers in the nation (opponents’ TO% of 17.4%).
Old Dominion takes on Florida Atlantic as a seven-point favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at 119 points. The Owls come into this game 5-15 Straight Up (SU) and 7-9-2 Against The Spread (ATS). The Owls prevent teams from making three-pointers, ranking 11th in the nation with 99 total three-pointers allowed (4.0 per game).
Over on the other bench, the Monarchs have records of 3-13 ATS and 10-10 SU. Old Dominion has not performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 2-6 record. The Monarchs are the better of the two teams when it comes to assist-to-turnover ratio, ranking 31st in Division I at 1.42. Moving on to the Old Dominion defense, the Monarchs allow just 61.6 points per game, ranking them seventh in the nation. The Old Dominion defense has been a problem for competitors, allowing only .400 shooting from the field to its opponents.
The conference foes will be squaring off for the first time this season. In their most recent meeting a season ago, Old Dominion came out on top, bumping its SU record to 3-0. With a 2-1 record, the Owls have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – ODU, ATS Winner – ODU, O/U – Under
Notes
Florida Atlantic is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Florida Atlantic’s last 12 games.
Florida Atlantic is 4-8 SU in its last 12 games at home.
Florida Atlantic averages 63.6 points per game, placing the team just 331st in the nation. Old Dominion ranks seventh in points allowed, giving up 61.6 points per game.
Old Dominion scores just 61.6 points per away game (ranked 316th). Florida Atlantic ranks 74th in points allowed at home, giving up 63.7 points.
The Florida Atlantic Owls average 67.3 possessions per game and .946 points per possession, while the Old Dominion Monarchs earn fewer possessions (62.2) but more points per possession (1.076).
The Florida Atlantic Owls average an effective field goal percentage of 45.2% this season. The Old Dominion Monarchs have an abysmal record of 1-9 when opponents have an eFG% of 45.2% or greater.
Old Dominion ranks 31st in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.42. Florida Atlantic is ranked lower at 224th with an A/TO of .97.
The Old Dominion Monarchs rank 71st in offensive rebounds. The Florida Atlantic Owls rank 227th in the nation in defensive rebounds.
Old Dominion has forced an average turnover percentage of 17.9% this season. Florida Atlantic has a subpar 2-9 record when its TO% is 17.9% or higher.
