It will be a meeting between two outstanding offenses when the Belmont Bruins (17-7, 8-3 OVC) square off with the Austin Peay Governors (16-8, 10-1 OVC) at Curb Event Center. The game begins at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 8, 2020.
Austin Peay Governors at Belmont Bruins Betting Odds
In their last game, the Bruins beat the Murray State Racers, 71-64, while the Governors lost a winnable game to the Tennessee State Tigers, 70-68.
Belmont played a nearly perfect game. They had a turnover percentage of 13.8 (better than their season average of 15.0) and a free throw rate of 0.141 (matching their season average). For those same stats, Murray State was 25.2 and 0.131, respectively. Austin Peay, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 8.4 (better than their season average of 16.0). Belmont was lifted by Tyler Scanlon, who had 21 points and nine rebounds. Meanwhile, Terry Taylor played well for Austin Peay, contributing 23 points and 14 rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Taylor led the Governors to an 86-78 win. He notched a double-double with 13 points and 17 rebounds. Making free throws was one of Austin Peay’s largest strengths. They were 18-22 (81.8 percent), while the Bruins were just 6-9 (66.7 percent).
The productive offense of Belmont (31st in the country with an offensive efficiency of 110.4) will face off against the bottom-tier defense of Austin Peay (264th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 103.4). The Bruins figure to have the edge on that side of the ball. Additionally, the Governors are among the nation’s best at getting to the line, ranking 40th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.275). The Bruins, meanwhile, rank 34th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.173).
Austin Peay Governors at Belmont Bruins Free Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Belmont, ATS Winner – Austin Peay, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Belmont ranks 12th in three pointers attempted per game (28.6) while Austin Peay ranks 215th (20.0).
- The Governors rank 34th in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while the Bruins rank 90th (3.2).
- Austin Peay averages 7.0 steals per game, which ranks 91st in the country. Belmont ranks 94th in steals allowed per game (6.2).
- The Bruins average 18.9 assists per game, which ranks first in the country. The Governors rank 198th in assists allowed per game (14.2).
- Austin Peay ranks 62nd in rebounds allowed per game (32.8) while Belmont ranks 225th (37.0).
Bettings Trends:
- The Governors’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 11.8, up from 6.2 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Bruins have scored an average of 78.8 points per game (2.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 76.6 points per game (7.7 above their season average).
