The East Carolina Pirates (10-20, 3-15 AAC), 10.5-point underdogs, square off against the Wichita State Shockers (17-13, 10-8 AAC) in the American Athletic Conference Tournament at FedExForum. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 138.5 points and it will air on ESPNU at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 14, 2019.
East Carolina Pirates vs. Wichita State Shockers Betting Odds
Neither team was able to cover in their last game. The Shockers (11-point favorites) beat the Tulane Green Wave, 82-79, while the Pirates (6.5-point underdogs) fell to the Connecticut Huskies, 82-73. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Wichita State game finished 16 points over the projected point total of 145, while the East Carolina game went 15 points over the projected point total of 140.
Wichita State dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a turnover percentage of 11.9 (better than their season average of 14.8) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 27.8 (below their season average of 32.6). For those same stats, Tulane was 19.8 and 20.0, respectively. East Carolina, meanwhile, forced Connecticut into a turnover percentage of 21.0 (above their season average of 15.8). Markis McDuffie played well for Wichita State with 14 points. Meanwhile, East Carolina was lifted by Isaac Fleming, who finished with 18 points, 11 assists and six rebounds.
A little over half of the Pirates’ games have finished under the total. East Carolina heads into the game with records of 10-20 straight up (SU) and 13-17 against the spread (ATS).
Coinciding with East Carolina, just over half of Shockers games have finished under the total. Additionally, Wichita State is 17-13 SU and 15-14-1 ATS.
The offensive glass should be a huge advantage for Wichita State in this battle. The Shockers currently rank 59th in offensive rebounding percentage (32.4 percent), while East Carolina ranks 278th in defensive rebounding percentage (69.3 percent).
East Carolina Pirates vs. Wichita State Shockers Betting Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Wichita State, ATS Winner – Wichita State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Wichita State ranks 91st in three pointers attempted per game (24.1) while East Carolina ranks 298th (17.6).
- The Pirates rank 95th in blocks per game (3.5) while the Shockers rank 174th in blocks allowed per game (3.9).
- Wichita State averages 13.8 assists per game, which ranks 119th in the NCAA. East Carolina ranks 186th in assists allowed per game (13.7).
- The Pirates rank 58th in steals per game (7.4) while the Shockers rank 237th (4.7).
- Wichita State averages 37.6 rebounds per game, which ranks 59th in the nation. East Carolina ranks 230th in rebounds allowed per game (36.9).
Bettings Trends:
- The Shockers are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Pirates are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Wichita State has 3 unders and 2 overs, while East Carolina has 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Shockers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 6.2, up from 1.0 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Pirates have scored an average of 71.2 points per game (3.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 85.0 points per game (10.8 above their season average).