The Florida Atlantic Owls (12-16, 6-10 CUSA) visit Old Dominion to take on the Monarchs (22-6, 13-3 CUSA) in what should be a low-scoring game. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 1, 2018, and will air on ESPN 3.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 133 points with Old Dominion opening as a 15.5-point favorite.
Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Old Dominion Monarchs Free Prediction
The last time the Owls played, they blew out the North Texas Mean Green, 74-54. The Owls made 18 of their 22 free throws (81.8 percent) and held the Mean Green to an effective field goal percentage of 0.343 (below their season average of 0.519). With 24 points on 6-for-12 shooting, Justin Massey was the top scorer from either team.
The Monarchs lost big to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in their last contest, 88-66. Western Kentucky’s 0.220 free throw rate was their largest advantage over Old Dominion, who had a rate of 0.047. The Hilltoppers’ mark was below their season average of 0.294, while the Monarchs’ was below their season average of 0.233. With 15 points on 6-for-13 shooting, Ahmad Caver was Old Dominion’s leading scorer.
Baskets could be hard to come by as a pair of the nation’s top defenses battle. Old Dominion currently ranks 14th in defensive efficiency (94.9) and Florida Atlantic is 54th (98.6). Also, the Owls, who rank 279th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.209), could have a tough time getting to the line against the Monarchs, who rank 60th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.202).
Florida Atlantic holds records of 12-16 straight up (SU) and 10-13 against the spread (ATS). Owls games tend to finish under the projected point total (65.2 percent).
Meanwhile, Old Dominion is 22-6 SU and 12-13-1 ATS. Unlike Florida Atlantic, Monarchs games have a tendency to go over the O/U total (61.5 percent).
Caver has averaged 15.8 points, 7.4 assists and 2.8 steals over the last five games for Old Dominion.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Caver put up 17 points, seven rebounds and seven steals and the Monarchs defeated the Owls 73-62, covering as 8.5-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 135 points, which was 6 points above the projected point total of 129 points. The Monarchs had a much better free throw rate (0.400 vs. 0.121) and had a much better turnover percentage (13.7 vs. 25.0).
Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Old Dominion Monarchs Free Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Old Dominion, ATS Winner – Old Dominion, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Florida Atlantic is 6-7 ATS with 9 unders and 4 overs.
Old Dominion is 5-5 ATS at home with 5 overs and 5 unders.
Old Dominion averages 37.8 rebounds per game, which ranks 67th in the NCAA. Florida Atlantic ranks 240th in rebounds allowed per game (37.4).
The Monarchs rank 72nd in assists per game (15.1) while the Owls rank 238th (11.8).
Florida Atlantic ranks 23rd in three pointers allowed per game (18.8) while Old Dominion ranks 173rd (22.5).
The Monarchs rank 12th in steals allowed per game (4.7) while the Owls rank 151st (6.6).
Florida Atlantic ranks 37th in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while Old Dominion ranks 64th (2.9).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Florida Atlantic is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Old Dominion is 4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Owls have been outscored by an average of 0.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Florida Atlantic has defeated opponents by an average of 0.2 points.
During their last five games, the Monarchs have scored an average of 82.8 points per game (8.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 66.2 points per game (2.7 above their season average).
