Expect a fast-paced game when the UNC Wilmington Seahawks (10-5) travel to Elon to play the Phoenix (11-6). The game starts at 7:00 pm ET on Thursday, Jan. 14.
The Phoenix were beaten by Hofstra 80-76 in their last game. Tanner Samson finished with 23 points to lead the game. The Seahawks are coming off an 85-67 win over Delaware in their last outing. Mark Matthews shot 7 for 11 and led in scoring with 18 points.
There should be plenty of transition action in this game. Elon ranks 18th in the nation in possessions per game (74.9 possessions per game), while UNC Wilmington is 33rd (74.0). The Seahawks should also expect to protect the ball well. They rank 13th at avoiding errors (TO% of 15.0%). Conversely, the Phoenix force the 52nd-fewest turnovers in the nation (opponents’ TO% of 16.7%).
Elon is a small underdog, with UNC Wilmington favored by one. The Over/Under (O/U) is 164 points. The Phoenix are attempting to build on their records of 11-6 Straight Up (SU) and 5-5 Against The Spread (ATS). Expect Elon to have lots of opportunities at the line against the Seahawks, who are one of the most foul-prone teams in the nation with an average of 24.3 fouls per game.
Across the court, the Seahawks head into the game with records of 6-5 ATS and 10-5 SU. When it comes to stealing the ball, the Seahawks are one of the best in the nation with an average of 9.1 steals per game. UNC Wilmington has not committed many turnovers, averaging only 11.1 per game.
This game marks the first time these teams will play this season. The last time Elon and UNC Wilmington played, Elon won, but UNC Wilmington still leads the head-to-head record, 5-1 SU. Additionally, UNC Wilmington leads the matchup ATS with a record of 5-1.
Predictions: SU Winner – NC-Wil, ATS Winner – NC-Wil, O/U – Over
Notes
Elon is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games.
Elon is 10-2 SU in its last 12 games at home.
Elon is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing UNC Wilmington.
In its last game, UNC Wilmington won by a margin of 18 points. Elon is 2-2 in games decided by a margin of 18 points or more. UNC Wilmington has an 8-0 record in blowouts.
Ranked 75th, the UNC Wilmington Seahawks have an offensive rating of 111.2. The Elon Phoenix rank 224th with a defensive rating of just 104.8.
Elon has an average field goal percentage of 44.4%. UNC Wilmington is 2-3 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Elon Phoenix rank lower for their field goal percentage (153rd) than they do for their effective field goal percentage (70th), but the UNC Wilmington Seahawks have a better FG% ranking (121st) than eFG% ranking (185th).
Elon ranks 40th in assists, registering 16.5 per game. UNC Wilmington performs worse at 135th with 14.2 assists per game.
UNC Wilmington, the 40th-ranked team in blocked shots, registers an average of 5.1 per game. Elon does worse, ranked 334th with 1.8.
Elon ranks 65th in defensive rebounding. When it comes to offensive rebounds, UNC Wilmington ranks 60th.
Ranked 13th, UNC Wilmington averages a forced turnover percentage of 23.6% this season. When the Elon Phoenix suffer a turnover rate equal to or exceeding this, the team is winless with a 0-1 record.
