Offense meets defense when the Cincinnati Bearcats (14-3, 3-1 AAC) welcome the South Florida Bulls (12-4, 2-2 AAC) to Fifth Third Arena. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, and will air on ESPN.
South Florida Bulls at Cincinnati Bearcats ATS Prediction
The last time the Bulls played, they were defeated by the Temple Owls, 82-80. Temple was effective at getting and making free throws. The Owls made 23 of their 28 free throws (82.1 percent), while the Bulls were just 10-25 (40.0 percent). With 18 points, 10 assists and 10 steals, Laquincy Rideau led the way for South Florida with his zeroth triple-double this year.
The Bearcats won a close one over the Connecticut Huskies in their last contest, 74-72. One of Cincinnati’s biggest advantages was getting to the charity stripe. They had 38 free throw attempts, while Connecticut had just 16. Jarron Cumberland was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points on 5-for-14 shooting from the field.
After the Bearcats won the lone contest against the Bulls last season, 78-55, these teams will battle for the first time this year. The Bearcats made 27 of their 31 free throws (87.1 percent) and had a much better turnover percentage (12.4 vs. 20.0).
This showdown pits one of the country’s top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Cincinnati ranks 53rd in offensive efficiency and South Florida ranks 12th in defensive efficiency. It could also be a sloppy game for the Bulls’ offense, which ranks 332nd in ball protection (turnover percentage of 22.8 percent). They’ll be going up against the stingy defense of the Bearcats, which forces the 34th-most turnovers in the NCAA (23.0 percent).
South Florida at Cincinnati Betting Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Cincinnati, ATS Winner – Cincinnati, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
South Florida ranks 22nd in rebounds per game (40.4) while Cincinnati ranks 168th (35.2).
The Bearcats rank third in steals allowed per game (4.2) while the Bulls rank 131st (6.9).
Cincinnati ranks 28th in blocks per game (4.9) while South Florida ranks 131st in blocks allowed per game (4.0).
The Bearcats rank 39th in assists allowed per game (11.1) while the Bulls rank 99th (12.7).
South Florida ranks 217th in three pointers attempted per game (20.0) while Cincinnati ranks 255th (18.1).
Bettings Trends:
The Bulls’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 5.4, down from 8.7 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bearcats have scored an average of 77.0 points per game (2.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 65.4 points per game (5.1 above their season average).
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