The North Texas Mean Green (6-7) will be at E.A. Diddle Arena to go head-to-head against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (7-5) in a CUSA matchup. The game can be seen on ESPNU at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 2, 2020.
North Texas Mean Green vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers ATS Odds
In their last outing, the Hilltoppers were beaten by the Belmont Bruins, 79-62, while the Mean Green easily got past the Texas Wesleyan Rams, 102-64.
The Mean Green had a much better free throw rate (0.424 vs. 0.211) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.653 vs. 0.345). Western Kentucky, meanwhile, had a better free throw rate (0.152 vs. 0.094). Josh Anderson was a key piece for Western Kentucky with 11 points and five rebounds. Meanwhile, Deng Geu had a good outing for North Texas, finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The Hilltoppers dominated this series last year, securing victories in both games. In the most recent matchup, Western Kentucky won 67-51. One of Western Kentucky’s biggest strengths was getting to the free throw line. They made 28 trips to the line, while North Texas went 17 times. This is the first time these teams will clash this year.
The aggressive Western Kentucky offense might be living from the free throw line in this meeting. The Hilltoppers currently rank 33rd in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.281, while North Texas ranks 298th in FTA rate allowed (0.308).
North Texas Mean Green at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Western Kentucky, ATS Winner – Western Kentucky, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- North Texas ranks 68th in three pointers attempted per game (23.5) while Western Kentucky ranks 218th in three pointers allowed per game (24.7).
- The Mean Green rank 133rd in rebounds per game (31.8) while the Hilltoppers rank 237th (32.7).
- North Texas allows the 33rd-fewest assists per game (9.7) while Western Kentucky ranks 49th (10.9).
- The Hilltoppers rank 13th in steals allowed per game (4.9) while the Mean Green rank 125th (7.9).
- Western Kentucky ranks 12th in blocks allowed per game (2.2) while North Texas ranks 117th (2.8).
Bettings Trends:
- The Hilltoppers have been outscored by an average of 6.6 points in their last five games. For the season, Western Kentucky has defeated opponents by an average of 5.8 points.
- During their last five games, the Mean Green have scored an average of 80.4 points per game (11.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 64.6 points per game (3.2 above their season average).
