The East Tennessee State Buccaneers (17-5, 7-2 SoCon) will attempt to prolong their five-game road winning streak in a matchup against the Samford Bulldogs (13-9, 3-6 SoCon) at Pete Hanna Center. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 31, 2019.
East Tennessee State Buccaneers vs. Samford Bulldogs Betting Prediction
The last time the Buccaneers played, they thoroughly outplayed the Western Carolina Catamounts, 91-69. The Buccaneers had a turnover percentage of 12.3 (better than their season average of 18.1) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (36.4 vs. 28.6). East Tennessee State rallied around Mladen Armus, who recorded 21 points and 12 rebounds.
The Bulldogs won a close one over the Furman Paladins in their last outing, 75-73. The Bulldogs made 13 of their 16 free throws (81.3 percent) and held the Paladins to an effective field goal percentage of 0.492 (below their season average of 0.555). Josh Sharkey led Samford in scoring with 21 points on 7-for-19 shooting from the field.
This is the second game of the season between these two squads. In the first, Jeromy Rodriguez had 12 points and 19 rebounds and the Buccaneers beat the Bulldogs 81-72. The Buccaneers had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (42.9 vs. 18.9) and had a better free throw rate (0.171 vs. 0.145).
It could be a mistake-prone game for the Samford offense. Samford ranks 234th in the nation in ball protection (turnover percentage of 19.6 percent), while the gambling defense of East Tennessee State forces the 97th-most turnovers in the nation (20.9 percent). Also, the Buccaneers are among the country’s best on the offensive backboards, ranking second in offensive rebounding percentage (40.2 percent). The Bulldogs, meanwhile, rank 296th in defensive rebounding percentage (68.7 percent).
East Tennessee State Buccaneers at Samford Bulldogs Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Samford, ATS Winner – Samford, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
East Tennessee State ranks third in rebounds allowed per game (28.9) while Samford ranks 184th (35.9).
The Buccaneers rank 32nd in assists per game (16.0) while the Bulldogs rank 180th in assists allowed per game (14.1).
East Tennessee State ranks 125th in three pointers attempted per game (23.2) while Samford ranks 258th in three pointers allowed per game (26.1).
The Buccaneers rank 45th in steals per game (7.7) while the Bulldogs rank 125th in steals allowed per game (6.6).
Samford ranks 50th in blocks allowed per game (2.8) while East Tennessee State ranks 122nd (3.6).
Bettings Trends:
The Buccaneers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.4, down from 13.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 84.6 points per game (9.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 86.0 points per game (15.2 above their season average).
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