Offense meets defense when the Ball State Cardinals (9-4) visit Toledo to take on the Rockets (12-1). The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, January 4, 2019, and will air on CBS Sports Network.
Ball State Cardinals vs. Toledo Rockets Betting Prediction
The Cardinals come in on a high note after topping the Indiana State Sycamores in their last game, 86-69. The Cardinals had a better free throw rate (0.231 vs. 0.164) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.546 vs. 0.433). With 21 points on 10-for-14 shooting, Tahjai Teague was the top scorer from either team.
In the Rockets’ last game, they barely escaped the Oakland Golden Grizzlies, 87-86. Toledo made good use of their 25 trips to the charity stripe, making 21 of them (84.0 percent). Oakland, meanwhile, was just 13-23 (56.5 percent). Jaelan Sanford led Toledo in scoring with 30 points on 10-for-18 shooting from the field.
After the Cardinals won both meetings against the Rockets last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent game, Ball State won 99-71. The Cardinals had a much better turnover percentage (7.2 vs. 16.9) and had a much better free throw rate (0.459 vs. 0.305).
Nate Navigato has averaged 0 points over the last five games for Toledo.
This showdown figures to be a shootout as a pair of the nation’s best offenses battle. Toledo ranks 22nd with 116.9 points per 100 possessions and Ball State is 16th (117.5). Moreover, the Cardinals, who rank 13th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.316), will clash against the Rockets, who rank seventh in opponents’ FTA rate (0.146).
Ball State vs. Toledo ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Toledo, ATS Winner – Toledo, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Toledo ranks 15th in assists per game (17.5) while Ball State ranks 105th in assists allowed per game (12.8).
The Rockets average 25.9 three pointers per game, which ranks 52nd in the nation. The Cardinals rank 128th in three pointers allowed per game (22.4).
Toledo ranks 19th in rebounds per game (41.0) while Ball State ranks 68th in rebounds allowed per game (33.0).
The Cardinals rank 29th in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while the Rockets rank 77th (3.2).
Bettings Trends:
The Cardinals have been outscored by an average of 2.2 points in their last five games. On the season, Ball State has defeated opponents by an average of 11.6 points.
During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 85.4 points per game (2.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 70.8 points per game (5.6 above their season average).
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