The UAB Blazers (19-12, 10-8 CUSA) clash against the Florida Atlantic Owls (12-18, 6-12 CUSA) in the Conference USA Conference Tourney at Ford Center at The Star. The game begins at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 7, 2018.
UAB is a 9-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 137.5 points.
Florida Atlantic Owls vs. UAB Blazers ATS Prediction
The Owls are hoping for a better outcome after their 85-78 loss to the Charlotte 49ers in their last matchup. Charlotte was successful at getting and making free throws. The 49ers made 30 of their 32 free throws (93.8 percent), while the Owls were 10-12 (83.3 percent). Ronald Delph led Florida Atlantic in scoring with 19 points on 8-for-14 shooting.
The last time the Blazers played, they had no trouble getting past the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, 101-73. The Blazers had a fantastic effective field goal percentage of 0.742 (above their season average of 0.538) and had a turnover percentage of 14.2 (better than their season average of 16.7). With 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists, Zack Bryant put together a solid outing for UAB.
Looking at effective field goal percentage, this appears to be a matchup of two heavyweights. The sharp-shooting UAB offense ranks 53rd in the nation in that metric at 0.545, while the top-notch Florida Atlantic defense is ranked 51st in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.480). Furthermore, the Owls rank 281st in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.207), while the Blazers rank 18th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.180).
Florida Atlantic comes into the game with records of 12-18 straight up (SU) and 11-14 against the spread (ATS). Owls games have a tendency to go under the total (60.0 percent).
Meanwhile, UAB owns records of 19-12 SU and 12-13 ATS. Games featuring the Blazers also have a tendency to go under the total (56.0 percent).
Both teams have had a player take their game to the next level over their last five games. Delph (18.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks) has been fantastic for the Owls while Bryant (12.8 points and 1.4 steals) has contributed greatly to the Blazers.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, Chris Cokley scored a game-high 24 points and the Blazers beat the Owls 75-44, covering as 7-point favorites. He also put up 10 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 119 points, which was 23 points below the projected point total of 142 points. The Blazers had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.605 vs. 0.320) and had a better free throw rate (0.105 vs. 0.082).
Florida Atlantic Owls vs. UAB Blazers Pick
Pick: SU Winner – UAB, ATS Winner – UAB, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Florida Atlantic ranks 25th in three pointers allowed per game (18.8) while UAB ranks 294th (26.3).
The Blazers rank 10th in assists per game (17.2) while the Owls rank 236th (11.9).
UAB ranks 26th in rebounds allowed per game (31.4) while Florida Atlantic ranks 250th (37.6).
The Owls rank 160th in steals per game (5.8) while the Blazers rank 192nd in steals allowed per game (7.0).
Florida Atlantic averages 4.1 blocks per game, which ranks 58th in the nation. UAB ranks 89th in blocks allowed per game (3.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Florida Atlantic is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs, 1 under and 1 push.
UAB is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders over their last five games.
The Owls have outscored opponents by an average of 2.0 points in their last five games. For the season, Florida Atlantic has been defeated by an average of 0.2 points.
During their last five games, the Blazers have scored an average of 78.6 points per game (1.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 74.2 points per game (5.4 above their season average).
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