The Niagara Purple Eagles (18-12, 11-6 MAAC) bring the regular season to a conclusion at Gallagher Center as they host the Marist Red Foxes (6-22, 4-12 MAAC). The game gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, February 23, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 166 points with Niagara opening as a 9.5-point favorite.
Marist Red Foxes at Niagara Purple Eagles Free Prediction
The Red Foxes will be looking for a similar result after thoroughly outplaying the Saint Peter’s Peacocks in their last contest, 69-51. The Red Foxes made 13 of their 17 free throws (76.5 percent) and held the Peacocks to an offensive rebounding percentage of 16.7 (below their season average of 27.3). Marist was led by Ryan Funk, who was the top scorer from either team with 24 points on 7-for-11 shooting.
In the Purple Eagles’ last game, they lost to the Canisius Golden Griffins, 95-88. Canisius’ offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over Niagara. The Golden Griffins had a rate of 33.3 (above their season average of 29.7), while the Purple Eagles posted a mark of 24.2 (below their season average of 31.2). Niagara’s Marvin Prochet recorded 13 points and 10 rebounds in the contest.
The high-octane offense of Niagara (51st in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 112.5) will go head-to-head against the porous defense of Marist (326th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 111.9). The Purple Eagles should have the advantage on that end of the court.
Marist holds records of 6-22 straight up (SU) and 12-10 against the spread (ATS). Vegas tends to place the total low when the Red Foxes are involved, as 59.1 percent of their games have ended over the total.
Meanwhile, Niagara is 18-12 SU and 15-11 ATS. Games featuring the Purple Eagles also tend to go over the O/U total (73.1 percent).
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Matt Scott scored a game-high 23 points in the first matchup, in which the Purple Eagles defeated the Red Foxes 86-70, covering as 4-point favorites. He also put up 15 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 156 points, which was 6 points below the projected point total of 162 points. The Purple Eagles had a much better turnover percentage (7.8 vs. 17.0) and had a better free throw rate (0.314 vs. 0.246).
Marist Red Foxes vs. Niagara Purple Eagles ATS Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Niagara, ATS Winner – Marist, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Marist is 8-5 ATS with 8 overs and 5 unders.
Niagara is 6-6 ATS at home with 8 overs and 4 unders.
Niagara averages 38.7 rebounds per game, which ranks 40th in the nation. Marist ranks 218th in rebounds allowed per game (36.4).
The Purple Eagles rank 21st in steals allowed per game (5.0) while the Red Foxes rank 191st (7.4).
Marist averages 26.4 three pointers per game, which ranks 33rd in the NCAA. Niagara ranks 178th in three pointers allowed per game (22.8).
The Purple Eagles rank 50th in blocks per game (4.3) while the Red Foxes rank 181st (2.6).
Marist averages 12.1 assists per game, which ranks 220th in the nation. Niagara ranks 258th in assists allowed per game (16.2).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Marist is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
Niagara is 3-2 ATS with 5 overs over their last five games.
The Red Foxes’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.8, down from 7.6 for the season.
During their last five games, the Purple Eagles have scored an average of 87.0 points per game (3.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 84.0 points per game (matching their season average).
