The Buffalo Bulls (9-5, 0-1 MAC) will be at John E. Worthen Arena to challenge the Ball State Cardinals (8-6, 1-0 MAC) in a MAC matchup. Action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 7, 2020.
Buffalo Bulls vs. Ball State Cardinals ATS Odds
In their last matchup, the Cardinals defeated the Toledo Rockets, 61-57, while the Bulls lost a close one to the Northern Illinois Huskies, 73-72.
Ball State dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.154 (below their season average of 0.191) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.510 (below their season average of 0.521). Toledo put up marks of 0.135 and 0.481, respectively, for those same stats. Buffalo, meanwhile, had a turnover percentage of 7.0 (better than their season average of 16.5). Ishmael El-Amin played well for Ball State with 17 points and nine rebounds. Buffalo received a boost from Jeenathan Williams, who contributed 17 points and eight rebounds.
The Bulls won the lone game between these two teams last year, 83-59. The Bulls’ turnover percentage was their biggest strength over the Cardinals. Buffalo had a rate of 8.6, while Ball State posted a mark of 19.4. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
The battle on the backboards could prove decisive, pitting strength against strength. The Bulls are among the nation’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking 13th in offensive rebounding percentage at 36.7 percent. Meanwhile, Ball State ranks 56th in the nation at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 75.6 percent.
Buffalo Bulls at Ball State Cardinals ATS Pick
Free Pick: SU Winner – Ball State, ATS Winner – Ball State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Ball State ranks 94th in rebounds allowed per game (33.6) while Buffalo ranks 226th (38.1).
- The Cardinals average 7.4 steals per game, which ranks 75th in the nation. The Bulls rank 140th in steals allowed per game (7.1).
- Ball State averages 27.9 three pointers per game, which ranks 24th in the country. Buffalo ranks 61st in three pointers allowed per game (19.6).
- The Cardinals rank 76th in assists per game (14.6) while the Bulls rank 187th in assists allowed per game (14.6).
- Ball State ranks 43rd in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while Buffalo ranks 147th (4.5).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Bulls have scored an average of 81.2 points per game (1.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 77.2 points per game (1.2 above their season average).
- The Cardinals’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.0, down from 10.4 for the season.
