It figures to be a low-scoring affair as the Valparaiso Crusaders (25-5) visit Green Bay to play the Phoenix (19-11). Action starts at 3:00 pm ET on Sunday, Feb. 28 and can be seen on ES3.
The Phoenix beat UIC 85-69 on Friday. With 14 points and 15 rebounds, Jordan Fouse recorded his 10th double-double of the season. The Crusaders, meanwhile, are coming off an 80-76 win against Milwaukee on Friday. Alec Peters shot 8 for 15 and led in scoring with 23 points.
Charles Cooper has taken his game to another level over the last five games for the Phoenix. During that stretch, he has averaged 17.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 0.8 steals. Peters has also been on a tear in the same span, averaging 20.0 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 3.0 three-pointers while leading the Crusaders.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Crusaders won the first game 85-70. Cooper was a top player in the game with 22 points, eight rebounds, four steals, and one three-pointer.
The Phoenix enter the game with records of 19-11 Straight Up (SU) and 16-10-2 Against The Spread (ATS). The Phoenix have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 76.3 points during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 85.6 points per game. The Phoenix are one of the best in Division I in terms of free throws made, making a superb 18.0 per game. Green Bay’s defense has put it all together in the past 10 games. Its average points allowed per game dropped to 61.1 during that span, compared to its 81.4 season average.
In the other locker room, Valparaiso has a SU record of 25-5 and an ATS record of 15-13. Most recently, Valparaiso is 6-2-2 ATS over the last 10 games. During the last 10 games, they averaged 87.3 PPG, above their 75.4 PPG season average. The Crusaders are a force on the offensive glass, grabbing an average of 12.8 offensive rebounds per game. The Valparaiso defense has allowed an average of 84.4 points per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 60.8. Valparaiso’s defense is one of the top in the nation, with opponents shooting only .379 from the field.
In their previous meeting this season, Valparaiso beat Green Bay, moving its SU record against Green Bay to 7-3 in their most recent head-to-head meetings. Additionally, with a 7-3 record, Valparaiso has the advantage ATS. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers, Valparaiso held the edge in all three of these categories once in the last five meetings. Green Bay never did so in those games.
Predictions: SU Winner – Valpo, ATS Winner – Valpo
Notes
Valparaiso has allowed an average of 60.8 points per game this season. Green Bay averages 85.6 points per game, ranking third in scoring.
Valparaiso scores 73.3 points per away game (ranked 81st). Green Bay ranks a poor 243rd in points allowed at home, allowing 76.8 points.
Ranked 70th, the Valparaiso Crusaders have an offensive rating of 111.0. The Green Bay Phoenix rank 148th with a defensive rating of just 104.1.
Green Bay has an average field goal percentage of 45.3%. Valparaiso is 2-3 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Green Bay Phoenix rank higher based on their field goal percentage (112th) than their effective field goal percentage (152nd). The Valparaiso Crusaders rank higher based on their effective field goal percentage (129th) than their field goal percentage (164th).
Green Bay ranks 53rd in blocks per game with 4.6 and Valparaiso ranks 73rd with 4.3 blocks per game.
Valparaiso is one of the top defensive rebounding teams, ranking 13th. Green Bay ranks 34th in offensive rebounding.
The Green Bay Phoenix make an average of 10.0 steals per game, ranked second in the nation. When the Valparaiso Crusaders allow 10 or more steals, they are undefeated (2-0).
