The Tennessee State Tigers (18-7) head to Morehead State to play the Eagles (15-11) in what should be a low-scoring game. The game starts at 7:00 pm ET on Thursday, Feb. 18.
The Eagles enter this game hoping for similar success after dismantling St. Catharine 105-66 on Tuesday. Jared Ravenscraft had a solid performance, putting up 12 points, five assists, and four steals for the Eagles. The Tigers, meanwhile, are coming off a 79-78 win over Eastern Kentucky on Saturday. Keron DeShields played well for Tennessee State, accounting for 18 points, seven assists, and three steals.
Tahjere McCall has been on fire over the last five games for the Tigers, averaging 18.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1.2 three-pointers.
It could be a sloppy game for the Tennessee State offense, which ranks 274th in the nation in ball security (TO% of 19.9%). It’ll be facing the ball-hawking Morehead State defense, which forces the eighth-most turnovers in the nation (23.6%).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams, with the Tigers winning the first matchup 77-76. McCall was a top performer in the victory with 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists, five steals, and one block.
The Eagles have gone 15-11 Straight Up (SU) and 12-12 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last 10 games, they have had success covering the spread (8-2). Morehead State is excellent from the perimeter, shooting a stellar .377 from three-point range. Expect to see a lot of second-chance opportunities for Morehead State in this matchup, which is one of the top rebounding teams in the nation with an average of 15.0 offensive boards per game. The Morehead State defense has done poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 72.6 points per game, well above their season average of 67.1. Opponents have consistently had the ball stolen by the Eagles, who rank 16th in the country in steals per game with 8.4.
On the other side, the Tigers have records of 12-4-1 ATS and 18-7 SU. When it comes to stealing the ball, the Tigers are one of the best in the nation with an average of 7.8 steals per game.
The Tigers’ win over Morehead State in their last clash evened up the two teams’ head-to-head record over their most recent games (5-5). The Tigers hold the advantage ATS with a record of 5-4-1. Morehead State held the advantage in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers three times in the last five matchups. On the other side of the court, Tennessee State never accomplished this feat in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – Mor, ATS Winner – Mor
Notes
Morehead State scores an average of just 72.3 points per game (ranked 150th). Tennessee State ranks 95th in points allowed, giving up 69.0 points per game.
Tennessee State averages 74.8 points per away game (ranked 58th). Morehead State allows 63.5 points per home game (ranked 48th).
Tennessee State won its last game by a one-point margin. In games decided by a margin of three points or less, Morehead State is 3-4. Tennessee State is 6-2 in close games this season.
The Tennessee State Tigers average 69.5 possessions per game and 1.072 points per possession. The Morehead State Eagles earn fewer possessions with 66.4, but they score more points with 1.089.
The Tennessee State Tigers average an effective field goal percentage of 51.4% this season. The Morehead State Eagles have a subpar record of 3-10 when opponents have an eFG% of 51.4% or greater.
On average, the Morehead State Eagles attempt 16.0 three point field goals per game and the Tennessee State Tigers attempt 17.0. In games where they attempt at least 20 threes, Morehead State has a split 3-3 record, while Tennessee State is 4-3.
Morehead State ranks fifth in offensive rebounding, placing it among the best in the country. Tennessee State ranks a poor 117th in defensive rebounds.
Though Morehead State is one of the best in the country in forcing turnovers with opponents averaging a TO% of 23.6% (ranked eighth), Tennessee State is undefeated (5-0) when its TO% is 23.6% or greater.
