It will be a battle between A10 opponents when the Massachusetts Minutemen (9-8, 2-2 A10) welcome the Saint Joseph’s Hawks (7-8, 2-2 A10) to William D. Mullins Center. The game starts at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 14, 2018, and will air on NBC Sports Network.
Saint Joseph’s Hawks at Massachusetts Minutemen Free Prediction
In the Hawks’ last contest, they were defeated by the George Mason Patriots, 81-79. George Mason’s offensive rebounding percentage was their largest strength over Saint Joseph’s. The Patriots had a rate of 24.2 (below their season average of 27.4), while the Hawks posted a mark of 14.6 (below their season average of 25.1). Shavar Newkirk was Saint Joseph’s’ leading scorer with 24 points on 8-for-17 shooting.
The Minutemen defeated the La Salle Explorers in their last contest, 86-79. Massachusetts’ turnover percentage was their largest strength over La Salle. The Minutemen had a rate of 12.4 (better than their season average of 18.0), while the Explorers posted a mark of 14.2. Luwane Pipkins was the game’s high scorer with 44 points on 15-for-27 shooting.
Massachusetts may have trouble getting to the foul line in this showdown. The Minutemen currently rank 321st in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.190, while Saint Joseph’s ranks 54th in FTA rate allowed (0.193). Conflicting styles will be on display in this showdown. The up-tempo Hawks rank 59th in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Minutemen rank 255th.
Saint Joseph’s heads into the game with records of 7-8 straight up (SU) and 6-7 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to place the total low when the Hawks are involved, as 76.9 percent of their games have finished over the projected point total.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts is 9-8 SU and 8-6 ATS. Games involving the Minutemen have no tendency in regards to the O/U total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Newkirk has averaged 18.0 points, 3.4 assists and 2.0 steals over the last five games for Saint Joseph’s.
After the Minutemen won all three contests against the Hawks last season, these teams will clash for the first time this year. In the last game, Massachusetts won 70-63. Massachusetts did an excellent job of converting from the charity stripe (18-24; 75.0 percent). Saint Joseph’s, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (31.8 vs. 16.7).
Saint Joseph’s Hawks at Massachusetts Minutemen Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Saint Joseph’s, ATS Winner – Saint Joseph’s, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Saint Joseph’s is 3-6 ATS on the road with 8 overs and 1 under.
At home, Massachusetts is 4-3 ATS with 5 overs and 2 unders.
Massachusetts ranks 43rd in three pointers allowed per game (19.3) while Saint Joseph’s ranks 260th (26.9).
The Minutemen rank 66th in rebounds allowed per game (33.0) while the Hawks rank 262nd (40.7).
Massachusetts ranks 69th in assists per game (15.5) while Saint Joseph’s ranks 205th in assists allowed per game (15.4).
The Hawks rank sixth in steals allowed per game (4.4) while the Minutemen rank 129th (6.8).
Massachusetts ranks 72nd in blocks per game (3.9) while Saint Joseph’s ranks 126th in blocks allowed per game (4.0).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Saint Joseph’s is 3-2 ATS with 5 overs.
Massachusetts is 2-2 ATS with 3 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Hawks have outscored opponents by an average of 0.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Saint Joseph’s has lost by an average of 1.1 points.
During their last five games, the Minutemen have scored an average of 74.4 points per game (2.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 76.0 points per game (5.5 above their season average).
