The Southern Utah Thunderbirds (9-9, 4-5 BigSky) will be at Reese Court to meet the Eastern Washington Eagles (6-13, 4-4 BigSky) in a BigSky matchup. Action begins at 5:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 2, 2019.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs. Eastern Washington Eagles ATS Odds
In their last matchup, the Eagles won a close one over the Sacramento State Hornets, 94-92, while the Thunderbirds lost a winnable game to the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks, 80-77.
Eastern Washington’s effective field goal percentage was their largest strength over Sacramento State. The Eagles had a rate of 0.562 (above their season average of 0.478), while the Hornets posted a mark of 0.453 (below the 0.556 mark opponents have averaged against Eastern Washington this season). Southern Utah, on the other hand, did an excellent job of getting and making free throws (20-26; 76.9 percent). Eastern Washington rallied around Jesse Hunt, who put up 22 points, 17 rebounds and six assists. Andre Adams had a good game for Southern Utah, putting up 21 points and 10 rebounds.
The Eagles edged out the Thunderbirds in this series last year, taking two out of three games. In the last game, Eastern Washington won 82-70. Eastern Washington’s free throw rate was their largest strength over Southern Utah. The Eagles had a rate of 0.333, while the Thunderbirds posted a mark of 0.167. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
There’s a decent chance that Southern Utah struggles to create turnovers. Eastern Washington ranks 62nd in the NCAA at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 17.0 percent), while Southern Utah forces the 206th-most turnovers (18.9 percent). Moreover, the Thunderbirds are among the country’s elite at getting to the line, ranking 58th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.274). The Eagles, meanhwile, rank 266th at keeping opponents off the charity stripe with an opponents’ FTA rate of 0.254.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs. Eastern Washington Eagles Betting Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Eastern Washington, ATS Winner – Eastern Washington, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Eastern Washington averages 26.8 three pointers per game, which ranks 30th in the nation. Southern Utah ranks 177th in three pointers allowed per game (23.7).
- The Thunderbirds rank 87th in rebounds per game (37.2) while the Eagles rank 232nd in rebounds allowed per game (37.4).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Thunderbirds have scored an average of 77.6 points per game (0.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 76.2 points per game (1.6 below their season average).
- The Eagles’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.4, down from 8.4 for the season.
