The East Tennessee State Buccaneers (20-4, 9-2 SoCon) will be at Hawkins Arena to square off with the Mercer Bears (12-12, 6-5 SoCon) in a SoCon matchup. Action gets underway at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 8, 2020.
East Tennessee State Buccaneers at Mercer Bears ATS Odds
In their last matchup, the Bears were blown out by the Furman Paladins, 79-57, while the Buccaneers defeated the Chattanooga Mocs, 80-64.
East Tennessee State dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an extraordinarily low turnover percentage of 8.4 (better than their season average of 15.4) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 34.4 (above their season average of 33.8). For those same stats, Chattanooga was 17.5 and 25.9, respectively. Mercer, on the other hand, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 46.5 (above their season average of 31.3). Mercer was led by Ethan Stair, who finished with seven points, nine rebounds and five assists. Lucas N’Guessan, meanwhile was a key piece for East Tennessee State with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, Stair led the Bears to a 71-55 victory. He recorded a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds. Mercer’s 0.310 free throw rate was their largest strength over East Tennessee State, who had a mark of 0.133.
This has potential to be an error-filled game for the offense of Mercer. Mercer ranks 320th in the NCAA in ball protection (turnover percentage of 21.7 percent), while the pesky defense of East Tennessee State forces the 21st-most turnovers in the nation (23.8 percent). Furthermore, the Buccaneers rank 31st in effective field goal percentage (0.540), while the Bears rank 254th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.508).
East Tennessee State Buccaneers at Mercer Bears ATS Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – East Tennessee State, ATS Winner – East Tennessee State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- East Tennessee State ranks 17th in steals per game (8.8) while Mercer ranks 181st in steals allowed per game (7.5).
- The Bears rank 37th in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while the Buccaneers rank 65th (2.9).
- East Tennessee State allows the 27th-fewest rebounds per game (31.5) while Mercer ranks 37th (31.7).
- The Buccaneers rank 46th in three pointers allowed per game (19.2) while the Bears rank 184th (23.0).
- East Tennessee State ranks 25th in assists allowed per game (10.3) while Mercer ranks 161st (13.3).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Buccaneers have scored an average of 75.4 points per game (1.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 66.0 points per game (3.5 above their season average).
- The Bears’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.6, up from 0.4 for the season.
