It will be a battle between two great offenses when the Toledo Rockets (12-1) meet the Ball State Cardinals (9-4) at Savage Arena. Action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, January 4, 2019, and can be seen on CBS Sports Network.
Ball State Cardinals vs. Toledo Rockets ATS Odds
Both teams were triumphant in their last game. The Rockets barely escaped the Oakland Golden Grizzlies 87-86, while the Cardinals were victorious over the Indiana State Sycamores 86-69.
Ball State dominated every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.231 and an effective field goal percentage of 0.546. Indiana State was 0.164 and 0.433, respectively, for those same stats. Toledo, on the other hand, was effective at getting to and converting from the free throw line. The Rockets made 21 of their 25 free throws (84.0 percent), while the Golden Grizzlies were just 13-23 (56.5 percent). Jaelan Sanford had a solid performance for Toledo, contributing 30 points. Meanwhile, Tahjai Teague played a key role for Ball State with 21 points and seven rebounds.
The Cardinals dominated this series last year, winning both games. In the last contest, Ball State won 99-71. The Cardinals’ turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Rockets. Ball State had a rate of 7.2, while Toledo posted a mark of 16.9. This is the first time these teams will battle this year.
Nate Navigato has really been playing well as of late for Toledo, averaging 0 points over the last five games.
It might turn into a high-scoring affair as two of the country’s premier offenses go head-to-head. Toledo ranks 22nd with 116.9 points per 100 possessions and Ball State is 16th (117.5). Additionally, the Cardinals are among the NCAA’s best at getting to the line, ranking 13th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.316). The Rockets, meanwhile, rank seventh at keeping opponents off the charity stripe with an opponents’ FTA rate of 0.146.
Ball State vs. Toledo Pick
Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Toledo, ATS Winner – Toledo, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Toledo averages 17.5 assists per game, which ranks 15th in the NCAA. Ball State ranks 105th in assists allowed per game (12.8).
- The Cardinals rank 29th in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while the Rockets rank 77th (3.2).
- The Rockets average 25.9 three pointers per game, which ranks 52nd in the nation. The Cardinals rank 128th in three pointers allowed per game (22.4).
- Toledo ranks 19th in rebounds per game (41.0) while Ball State ranks 68th in rebounds allowed per game (33.0).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Rockets have scored an average of 85.4 points per game (2.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 70.8 points per game (5.6 above their season average).
- The Cardinals have been outscored by an average of 2.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Ball State has defeated opponents by an average of 11.6 points.
