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Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks – Arkansas State Red Wolves Preview – 01.07.2016

A five-game road winless streak may come to an end for the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (6-7) when they meet the Arkansas State Red Wolves (6-7) at Convocation Center. The game gets underway at 8:35 pm ET on Thursday, Jan. 7.

The Red Wolves easily got past South Alabama 89-67 the last time they played. Arkansas State received a boost from Donte Thomas, who recorded his first triple-double on the season. He took over, registering 14 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. The Warhawks are coming off a 72-56 win over Appalachian State in their last outing. Majok Deng shot 7 for 11 and led in scoring with 18 points.

Thomas has really been playing well over the last five games for the Red Wolves. During that stretch, he has averaged 16.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 1.8 steals.

Arkansas State is a three-point favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is 142 points. The Red Wolves come into this game 6-7 Straight Up (SU) and 4-4 Against The Spread (ATS).

In the other locker room, the Warhawks head into the game with records of 4-5 ATS and 6-7 SU. Louisiana-Monroe’s three-point defense is one of the top in the country, with opponents shooting only .304 from the three.

This is the first meeting of the season for Arkansas State and Louisiana-Monroe. The last time they played, Arkansas State came out on top, bringing its SU record to 8-2 over Louisiana-Monroe in their most recent games. However, Louisiana-Monroe holds the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4. During their latest five matchups, neither team ever held the advantage in field goals, rebounds, or three-pointers.

Predictions: SU Winner – ArkSt, ATS Winner – ArkSt, O/U – Over

Notes

Arkansas State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games.

Arkansas State is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games.

Arkansas State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home.

The total has gone OVER in 6 of Arkansas State’s last 9 games when playing Louisiana-Monroe.

Arkansas State is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games when playing Louisiana-Monroe.

Arkansas State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Louisiana-Monroe.

Arkansas State averages 78.4 points per game (ranked 82nd). Louisiana-Monroe, on the other hand, allows 70.5 points per game (ranked 164th).

Louisiana-Monroe scores just 66.6 points per away game (ranked 235th). Arkansas State ranks 91st in points allowed at home, giving up 63.6 points.

On average, Arkansas State has 74.5 possessions per game and scores 1.052 points on each possession. Louisiana-Monroe has both fewer possessions (69.1) and scores fewer points during those possessions (1.041).

The Arkansas State Red Wolves average an effective field goal percentage of 48.4% this season. The Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks have a losing record of 1-3 when opponents have an eFG% of 48.4% or greater.

The Arkansas State Red Wolves average 17.0 three point attempts per game, while the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks attempt 14.0. When attempting 20 or more three pointers in a game, Arkansas State has yet to win a game (0-3), while Louisiana-Monroe is an even 1-1.

Arkansas State, the 66th-ranked team in blocked shots, records an average of 4.8 per game. Louisiana-Monroe does worse, ranked 246th with 2.8.

Louisiana-Monroe ranks 105th in offensive rebounds, while Arkansas State ranks at fifth in defensive rebounds.

Arkansas State has forced an average turnover percentage of 17.0% this season. Louisiana-Monroe has a poor 4-7 record when its TO% is 17.0% or higher.

Written by GMS Previews

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