Expect a shootout when the Ball State Cardinals (11-9, 2-5 MAC) square off against the 14th-ranked Buffalo Bulls (18-2, 6-1 MAC) at Alumni Arena. Action begins at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, and can be seen on ESPN 3.
Ball State Cardinals vs. Buffalo Bulls Betting Odds
In their last contest, the Bulls beat the Kent State Golden Flashes, 88-79, while the Cardinals lost to the Ohio Bobcats, 78-74.
Buffalo dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.194 (below their season average of 0.219) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.613 (above their season average of 0.533). Kent State was 0.145 and 0.500, respectively, for those same stats. Ball State, meanwhile, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.557 vs. 0.515). CJ Massinburg fueled Buffalo with 20 points and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, Ball State was lifted by Tayler Persons, who put up 21 points and five assists.
The Bulls won the only contest between these two teams last year, 83-63. The Bulls’ turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Cardinals. Buffalo had a rate of 12.3, while Ball State posted a mark of 17.0. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
This matchup figures to be a high-scoring affair as a pair of the country’s premier offenses face off. Buffalo currently ranks 20th with 115.2 points per 100 possessions and Ball State is 59th (111.8).
Ball State Cardinals at Buffalo Bulls ATS Pick
Free Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Buffalo, ATS Winner – Buffalo, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Buffalo ranks 16th in three pointers attempted per game (28.4) while Ball State ranks 261st (18.7).
- The Bulls rank 20th in steals allowed per game (5.0) while the Cardinals rank 111th (6.4).
- Buffalo blocks 4.3 opponent shots per game, which is ranked 43rd in the nation. Ball State ranks 80th in blocks allowed per game (3.1).
- The Cardinals rank 76th in rebounds per game (37.6) while the Bulls rank 233rd in rebounds allowed per game (37.4).
- Buffalo ranks 13th in assists per game (17.4) while Ball State ranks 130th (13.7).
Bettings Trends:
- The Bulls’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.4, down from 14.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Cardinals have scored an average of 70.4 points per game (10.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 74.0 points per game (0.8 above their season average).
