The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (18-13, 12-4 MEAC) go head-to-head with the Morgan State Bears (12-18, 8-9 MEAC) in the Mid-Eastern Conference Tourney at Norfolk Scope Arena. The game begins at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 7, 2018.
Morgan State Bears vs. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Free Prediction
The Bears will be hoping for a similar outcome after edging the South Carolina State Bulldogs in their last game, 83-80. The Bears held the Bulldogs to an offensive rebounding percentage of 25.0 (below their season average of 30.2) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.650 (above their season average of 0.456). Morgan State was led by Phillip Carr, who was the team’s leading scorer with 21 points on 8-for-10 shooting.
The last time the Wildcats played, they beat the Florida A&M Rattlers, 89-77. Bethune-Cookman made good use of their 26 trips to the free throw line, making 22 of them (84.6 percent). Florida A&M, on the other hand, was just 11-17 (64.7 percent). Soufiyane Diakite was Bethune-Cookman’s high scorer with 27 points on 13-for-13 shooting.
The physical Bethune-Cookman offense looks poised to dominate from the foul line. The Wildcats currently rank 58th in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.277, while Morgan State ranks 321st in FTA rate allowed (0.293). Also, the Bears, who rank 24th in offensive rebounding percentage (34.7 percent), will try to exploit the Wildcats, who rank 257th in defensive rebounding percentage (69.8 percent).
Isaiah Bailey has averaged 20.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.4 steals over the last five games for Bethune-Cookman.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. Tiwian Kendley led both teams with 41 points in the first game, in which the Bears lost 96-95. Bethune-Cookman’s effective field goal percentage was its biggest advantage over Morgan State. The Wildcats had a rate of 0.579 while the Bears posted a mark of 0.530.
Morgan State Bears vs. Bethune-Cookman Wildcats Betting Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Morgan State, ATS Winner – Morgan State, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Morgan State ranks 59th in rebounds per game (37.9) while Bethune-Cookman ranks 279th in rebounds allowed per game (38.6).
The Wildcats rank 89th in three pointers attempted per game (23.8) while the Bears rank 306th (15.1).
Bethune-Cookman ranks 39th in assists per game (15.8) while Morgan State ranks 229th (12.1).
The Bears average 7.1 steals per game, which ranks 61st in the NCAA. The Wildcats rank 162nd in steals allowed per game (6.6).
Bethune-Cookman averages 3.7 blocks per game, which ranks 90th in the nation. Morgan State ranks 163rd in blocks allowed per game (3.8).
Bettings Trends:
The Bears’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.2, down from 2.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 95.0 points per game (12.9 above their season average) and allowed an average of 87.0 points per game (7.5 above their season average).
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