The St. Bonaventure Bonnies (12-6, 2-4 A10) will attempt to lengthen their five-game home winning streak when they challenge the Saint Joseph’s Hawks (9-9, 4-3 A10), who look to put an end to their five-game road losing streak. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, and will air on CBS Sports Network.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 152 points with St. Bonaventure opening as a 7-point favorite.
Saint Joseph’s Hawks at St. Bonaventure Bonnies ATS Prediction
The Hawks come in on a high note after blowing out the Fordham Rams in their last contest, 68-46. The Hawks forced 20 turnovers, while the Rams had a free throw rate of 0.091 (below their season average of 0.193). With 25 points on 11-for-25 shooting, James Demery was the game’s high scorer.
The last time the Bonnies played, they were beaten by the Davidson Wildcats, 83-73. Davidson’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over St. Bonaventure. The Wildcats had a rate of 0.660 (above their season average of 0.560), while the Bonnies posted a mark of 0.476. With 25 points on 9-for-19 shooting, Matt Mobley was St. Bonaventure’s leading scorer.
St. Bonaventure should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. St. Bonaventure ranks 37th in the nation at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.5 percent), while Saint Joseph’s forces the 66th-fewest turnovers (17.3 percent).
Saint Joseph’s heads into the contest with records of 9-9 straight up (SU) and 8-8 against the spread (ATS). Of the Hawks’ 16 games with betting action, 10 have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, St. Bonaventure owns records of 12-6 SU and 7-8 ATS. Bonnies games also have typically finished over the O/U total (60.0 percent).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Shavar Newkirk had 23 points, 10 rebounds and five assists and the Hawks defeated the Bonnies 85-78, covering as 3-point underdogs. The game finished with a total of 163 points, which was 16 points above the projected point total of 147 points. Saint Joseph’s did a terrific job of getting to and converting from the free throw line (24-32; 75.0 percent). St. Bonaventure, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (13.6 vs. 15.5).
Saint Joseph’s Hawks at St. Bonaventure Bonnies Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Saint Joseph’s, ATS Winner – Saint Joseph’s, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Saint Joseph’s is 3-7 ATS on the road with 8 overs and 2 unders.
At home, St. Bonaventure is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Saint Joseph’s ranks 42nd in three pointers attempted per game (25.8) while St. Bonaventure ranks 257th (17.6).
The Bonnies rank 129th in rebounds allowed per game (34.6) while the Hawks rank 268th (39.7).
St. Bonaventure ranks 141st in assists per game (13.6) while Saint Joseph’s ranks 200th in assists allowed per game (15.2).
The Bonnies rank 43rd in steals per game (7.5) while the Hawks rank 91st (6.7).
St. Bonaventure averages 3.2 blocks per game, which ranks 118th in the nation. Saint Joseph’s ranks 126th in blocks allowed per game (3.9).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Saint Joseph’s is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
St. Bonaventure is 1-4 ATS with 5 overs over their last five games.
The Hawks’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.0, up from 1.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bonnies have scored an average of 74.6 points per game (1.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 79.6 points per game (9.7 above their season average).
