It will be a battle between AAC opponents when the East Carolina Pirates (7-6, 0-1 AAC) welcome the Cincinnati Bearcats (12-2, 1-0 AAC) to Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum. The game will air on CBS Sports Network at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 5, 2019.
Cincinnati Bearcats vs. East Carolina Pirates Betting Prediction
In the Bearcats’ last contest, they were defeated by the Ohio State Buckeyes, 64-56. Ohio State’s effective field goal percentage was their biggest advantage over Cincinnati. The Buckeyes had a rate of 0.511, while the Bearcats posted a mark of 0.323. Jarron Cumberland was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points on 7-for-17 shooting.
The Pirates had no trouble getting past the Delaware State Hornets in their last contest, 81-56. The Pirates had a much better free throw rate (0.344 vs. 0.158) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (35.9 vs. 20.5). Isaac Fleming was East Carolina’s leading scorer with 12 points on 4-for-7 shooting from the field.
After the Bearcats won the sole contest against the Pirates last season, 86-60, these teams will meet for the first time this year. The Bearcats had a much better turnover percentage (7.8 vs. 19.0) and had a much better free throw rate (0.205 vs. 0.102).
Cumberland has averaged 0 points over the last five games for Cincinnati.
East Carolina might struggle to find the bottom of the net as they square off against one of the nation’s best defenses. Cincinnati ranks 27th in defensive efficiency while the Pirates rank 309th in offensive efficiency.
Cincinnati vs. East Carolina Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Cincinnati, ATS Winner – Cincinnati, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Cincinnati ranks third in steals allowed per game (4.1) while East Carolina ranks 162nd (7.8).
The Bearcats rank fifth in rebounds allowed per game (28.7) while the Pirates rank 109th (34.5).
Cincinnati ranks 26th in blocks per game (4.9) while East Carolina ranks 97th in blocks allowed per game (3.5).
The Bearcats rank 258th in three pointers attempted per game (17.2) while the Pirates rank 261st (16.8).
East Carolina is 33rd in the country with 10.7 assists allowed per game while Cincinnati is 34th with 10.7 assists allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Bearcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 13.4, down from 17.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Pirates have scored an average of 72.0 points per game (2.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 70.0 points per game (1.8 above their season average).
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