It will be a battle between AAC opponents when the Tulsa Golden Hurricane (7-5) welcome the East Carolina Pirates (6-5) to Donald Reynolds Center. The game can be seen on ESPNU at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 28, 2017.
Tulsa is a 14.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 142 points.
East Carolina Pirates at Tulsa Golden Hurricane Betting Prediction
In the Pirates’ last matchup, they defeated the Grambling State Tigers, 76-68. The Pirates had a phenomenal free throw rate of 0.481 (above their season average of 0.241) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 41.2 (above their season average of 31.1). With 20 points on 7-for-12 shooting, B.J. Tyson led East Carolina in scoring.
The Golden Hurricane were beaten by the Oklahoma State Cowboys in their last game, 71-59. Oklahoma State’s turnover percentage was their largest advantage over Tulsa. The Cowboys had a rate of 11.9 (better than their season average of 15.7), while the Golden Hurricane posted a mark of 16.9. Tulsa’s Junior Etou had a good performance, leading both teams in scoring with 18 points on 5-for-12 shooting.
The physical Tulsa offense might be getting to the charity stripe a lot in this battle. The Golden Hurricane currently rank seventh in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.336, while East Carolina ranks 159th in FTA rate allowed (0.225).
East Carolina holds records of 6-5 straight up (SU) and 1-3 against the spread (ATS). There does not appear to be a trend for games involving the Pirates in regards to the projected point total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Meanwhile, Tulsa is 7-5 SU and 6-3 ATS. Of the Golden Hurricane’s 9 games with betting action, 6 have finished over the total.
Isaac Fleming has averaged 18.8 points, 3.8 assists and 1.8 steals over the last five games for East Carolina.
After splitting two games last season, these teams will go head-to-head for the first time this year. The Golden Hurricane won the most recent game 74-66. The Golden Hurricane’s 10.9 turnover percentage was their largest advantage over the Pirates, who had a mark of 16.3.
East Carolina Pirates vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Tulsa, ATS Winner – East Carolina, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
East Carolina is 0-1 ATS on the road with 1 under and 0 overs.
At home, Tulsa is 2-1 ATS with 3 overs and 0 unders.
East Carolina ranks 117th in three pointers allowed per game (21.5) while Tulsa ranks 246th (26.8).
The Golden Hurricane average 37.1 rebounds per game, which ranks 101st in the NCAA. The Pirates rank 184th in rebounds allowed per game (36.7).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, East Carolina is 1-1 ATS with 1 over and 1 under.
Tulsa is 3-1 ATS with 3 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Pirates have outscored opponents by an average of 0.6 points in their last five games. On the season, East Carolina has lost by an average of 0.5 points.
During their last five games, the Golden Hurricane have scored an average of 67.0 points per game (8.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 65.8 points per game (7.5 below their season average).
