Expect a fast-paced game when the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (6-11, 3-1 OVC) travel to Belmont to play the Bruins (12-5, 3-1 OVC). The game starts at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 16, 2020, and will air on ESPNU.
Eastern Kentucky Colonels vs. Belmont Bruins ATS Odds
Both teams beat their last opponent. The Bruins defeated the UT Martin Skyhawks 85-78, while the Colonels beat the SIUE Cougars 78-72.
Eastern Kentucky played a nearly flawless game. They had a turnover percentage of 12.1 (better than their season average of 17.7) and a free throw rate of 0.474 (above their season average of 0.217). SIUE had marks of 21.8 and 0.320, respectively, for those same stats. The Bruins, meanwhile, had 9 steals and had a better effective field goal percentage (0.536 vs. 0.478). Grayson Murphy had a good outing for Belmont, recording 19 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, Eastern Kentucky rallied around Lachlan Anderson, who recorded 14 points and nine rebounds.
The Bruins dominated this series last year, taking both games. In the last matchup, Belmont won 83-65. Belmont won the rebounding battle. The Bruins had more offensive rebounds (12 vs. 4), defensive rebounds (33 vs. 24) and total rebounds (45 vs. 28). This is the first time these teams will meet this year.
There should be plenty of transition offense in this battle that showcases two of the NCAA’s more fast-breaking teams. Belmont ranks 29th in possessions per game (74.1) and Eastern Kentucky is seventh (77.3). Furthermore, the Colonels’ 303rd-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 95.4) will face a difficult test against the Bruins’ 57th-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 92.0).
Eastern Kentucky vs. Belmont Free Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Belmont, ATS Winner – Eastern Kentucky, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Belmont ranks 33rd in rebounds per game (39.9) while Eastern Kentucky ranks 265th in rebounds allowed per game (40.4).
- The Bruins rank 16th in three pointers attempted per game (28.4) while the Colonels rank 71st in three pointers allowed per game (20.0).
- The Bruins average 18.9 assists per game, which ranks third in the nation. The Colonels rank 212th in assists allowed per game (14.9).
- Eastern Kentucky ranks seventh in steals per game (9.9) while Belmont ranks 125th (6.6).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Colonels have scored an average of 74.8 points per game (1.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 73.4 points per game (2.2 below their season average).
- The Bruins’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 14.2, up from 13.6 for the season.
