Eastern Illinois Panthers at Belmont Bruins Free Prediction 01/04/20

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It will be a showdown between two great offenses when the Belmont Bruins (9-5, 0-1 OVC) clash with the Eastern Illinois Panthers (7-6, 0-1 OVC) at Curb Event Center. The game gets underway at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 4, 2020.

Eastern Illinois Panthers vs. Belmont Bruins Betting Odds

Both teams fell in their last game. The Bruins fell to the SIUE Cougars, 79-69, while the Panthers were defeated by the Tennessee State Tigers, 84-79.

Eastern Illinois did a great job of getting to and converting from the free throw line (20-25; 80.0 percent) while Belmont did an excellent job of getting and making free throws (19-27; 70.4 percent). Grayson Murphy fueled Belmont with 11 points and nine rebounds. Eastern Illinois, meanwhile, was led by Josiah Wallace, who recorded 32 points and five rebounds.

The Bruins won the lone contest between these two teams last year, 99-58. One of Belmont’s biggest strengths was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 13-14 (92.9 percent), while the Panthers were just 7-8 (87.5 percent). This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year.

Eastern Illinois could have trouble getting to the charity stripe in this meeting. The Panthers rank 154th in the country with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.226, while Belmont ranks 28th in FTA rate allowed (0.157).

Eastern Illinois Panthers at Belmont Bruins Betting Pick

Prediction: SU Winner – Belmont, ATS Winner – Belmont, O/U – Under

Betting Notes:

  • Belmont ranks 11th in three pointers attempted per game (28.9) while Eastern Illinois ranks 194th (20.2).
  • The Panthers rank 58th in steals per game (8.0) while the Bruins rank 121st in steals allowed per game (6.9).
  • Belmont blocks 3.8 opponent shots per game, which ranks 76th in the NCAA. Eastern Illinois ranks 91st in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
  • The Panthers rank 58th in rebounds per game (39.1) while the Bruins rank 208th in rebounds allowed per game (37.5).
  • Belmont averages 17.6 assists per game, which ranks seventh in the NCAA. Eastern Illinois ranks 78th in assists allowed per game (11.5).

Bettings Trends:

  • During their last five games, the Panthers have scored an average of 79.0 points per game (1.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 72.8 points per game (6.7 above their season average).
  • The Bruins’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 15.0, up from 11.9 for the season.