The Ohio Bobcats (4-4) challenge the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (6-2) at Convocation Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 10, 2017.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 150 points with Western Kentucky opening as a 1-point favorite.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Ohio Bobcats ATS Prediction
The last time the Hilltoppers played, they thoroughly outplayed the Wright State Raiders, 78-60. One of Western Kentucky’s biggest advantages was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 14-17 (82.4 percent), while the Raiders were just 7-13 (53.8 percent). Western Kentucky was led by Darius Thompson, who was the team’s high scorer with 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting.
The Bobcats were blown out by the Maryland Terrapins in their last outing, 87-62. Maryland out-rebounded Ohio. The Terrapins had more offensive rebounds (13 vs. seven), defensive rebounds (36 vs. 22) and total rebounds (49 vs. 29). Mike Laster had a solid performance for Ohio, leading the team in scoring with 14 points on 5-for-12 shooting.
Points at the line could be hard to come by for Ohio in this contest. Since the 2016-17 season, the Bobcats rank 257th in the NCAA with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.220, while Western Kentucky ranks 16th in FTA rate allowed (0.168).
Western Kentucky comes into the contest with records of 6-2 straight up (SU) and 5-1 against the spread (ATS). It’s tough to find a trend for Hilltoppers games in regards to the total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, Ohio is 4-4 SU and 1-3-1 ATS. Bobcats games tend to go over the total (100.0 percent).
The Hilltoppers won the lone contest against the Bobcats last season, 67-66. One of Western Kentucky’s largest advantages was getting to the charity stripe. They made 27 trips to the line, while Ohio went just 14 times.
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. Ohio Bobcats ATS Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Western Kentucky, ATS Winner – Western Kentucky, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
Ohio ranks 77th in three pointers attempted per game (23.8) while Western Kentucky ranks 247th (18.2).
The Bobcats rank 30th in assists allowed per game (11.2) while the Hilltoppers rank 177th (14.4).
Western Kentucky ranks 121st in rebounds allowed per game (34.5) while Ohio ranks 237th (37.9).
