The North Dakota Fighting Hawks (8-13, 2-6 Summit) will be at Western Hall to take on the Western Illinois Leathernecks (8-13, 3-5 Summit) in a Summit matchup. Action gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 31, 2019.
North Dakota Fighting Hawks at Western Illinois Leathernecks ATS Odds
In their last game, the Leathernecks defeated the South Dakota Coyotes, 65-59, while the Fighting Hawks lost to the South Dakota Coyotes, 70-56.
Western Illinois dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a solid free throw rate of 0.288 (above their season average of 0.176) and a turnover percentage of 7.4 (better than their season average of 15.0). For those same stats, South Dakota had marks of 0.102 and 10.0, respectively. North Dakota, on the other hand, had a better effective field goal percentage (0.430 vs. 0.500). Ben Pyle played a pivotal role for Western Illinois with 15 points and 10 rebounds. North Dakota rallied around Marlon Stewart, who recorded 22 points and seven rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, Stewart led the Fighting Hawks to a 71-65 win. He was the game’s top overall scorer with 21 points. North Dakota’s 0.180 free throw rate was their biggest strength over Western Illinois, who had a mark of 0.105.
There’s a decent chance that North Dakota struggles to create turnovers. Western Illinois ranks 34th in the country at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.4 percent), while North Dakota forces the 176th-most turnovers (19.5 percent). Moreover, the Fighting Hawks rank 273rd in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.202), while the Leathernecks rank 25th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.176).
North Dakota Fighting Hawks at Western Illinois Leathernecks Odds Pick
Free Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Western Illinois, ATS Winner – Western Illinois, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- North Dakota ranks 111th in assists per game (14.0) while Western Illinois ranks 235th (11.0).
- The Fighting Hawks rank 159th in rebounds allowed per game (35.3) while the Leathernecks rank 225th (37.2).
- Western Illinois ranks 148th in steals per game (5.9) while North Dakota ranks 158th in steals allowed per game (7.1).
- The Fighting Hawks rank 50th in three pointers allowed per game (20.0) while the Leathernecks rank 160th (22.7).
- Western Illinois ranks 34th in blocks per game (4.6) while North Dakota ranks 115th (3.1).
Bettings Trends:
- The Fighting Hawks have been outscored by an average of 3.0 points in their last five games. For the season, North Dakota has defeated opponents by an average of 2.5 points.
- During their last five games, the Leathernecks have scored an average of 71.4 points per game (0.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.6 points per game (1.1 below their season average).
