It will be a battle between MVC opponents when the Valparaiso Crusaders (12-9, 5-3 MVC) welcome the Missouri State Bears (10-11, 4-4 MVC) to the Athletics-Recreation Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 29, 2019.
Missouri State Bears vs. Valparaiso Crusaders Free Prediction
The last time the Bears played, they blew out the Bradley Braves, 55-37. The Bears knocked down 13 of their 17 free throws (76.5 percent) and held the Braves to an offensive rebounding percentage of 10.7 (below their season average of 29.2). Missouri State was lifted by Keandre Cook, who was the top scorer from either team with 16 points on 4-for-11 shooting.
The Crusaders fell to the Drake Bulldogs in their last game, 70-59. Drake’s 0.539 effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Valparaiso, who had a mark of 0.397. The Bulldogs’ mark was below their season average of 0.557, while the Crusaders’ was below their season average of 0.529. Valparaiso’s Daniel Sackey put together a solid game, leading the team in scoring with 13 points on 4-for-10 shooting.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Bears lost 82-66. Jarred Dixon scored a game-high 23 points. Valparaiso’s 0.614 effective field goal percentage was its largest advantage over Missouri State, who had a rate of 0.413.
This has potential to be an error-filled game for the offense of Valparaiso. Valparaiso ranks 247th in the NCAA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 19.8 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Missouri State forces the 39th-most turnovers in the country (22.5 percent).
Missouri State Bears at Valparaiso Crusaders ATS Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Valparaiso, ATS Winner – Valparaiso, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Valparaiso averages 15.0 assists per game, which ranks 61st in the country. Missouri State ranks 166th in assists allowed per game (13.9).
The Bears rank 56th in steals per game (7.5) while the Crusaders rank 151st in steals allowed per game (7.0).
Missouri State ranks 175th in three pointers attempted per game (21.6) while Valparaiso ranks 243rd (19.5).
The Bears rank 46th in rebounds allowed per game (32.0) while the Crusaders rank 85th (33.3).
Bettings Trends:
The Bears’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.2, up from 3.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Crusaders have scored an average of 61.2 points per game (8.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 67.6 points per game (0.1 above their season average).
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