The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (4-2) will be at home in E.A. Diddle Arena when they go head-to-head with the Eastern Kentucky Colonels (3-3). The games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 149.5 points with Western Kentucky set as an 11-point favorite. Action starts at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, November 29, 2017.
Eastern Kentucky Colonels vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Free Preview
The Colonels easily got past the Asbury College Eagles in their last outing, 99-71. With 17 points, 12 assists and six rebounds, Dedric Boyd had a good game for Eastern Kentucky. Eastern Kentucky played a perfect game. They had a phenomenal offensive rebounding percentage of 39.5 (above their season average of 28.0) and a turnover percentage of 7.4 (better than their season average of 17.6). For those same stats, Asbury College put up marks of 20.4 and 12.4, respectively.
In the Hilltoppers last game, they defeated the SMU Mustangs, 63-61. Dwight Coleby led the way for Western Kentucky, contributing 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Hilltoppers had a better free throw rate (0.127 vs. 0.054), while the Mustangs had a turnover percentage of 26.4 (above their season average of 14.0).
Since the 2016-17 season, Eastern Kentucky has done a great job of getting to the free throw line. They rank 57th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.282), but Western Kentucky has been among the best in the nation at keeping opponents off the line (ranking eighth by allowing a FTA rate of 0.173).
Of Eastern Kentucky’s 4 games that accepted bets, two have finished over the O/U total, while 2 of Western Kentucky’s 4 games have finished over the O/U total. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Hilltoppers have a clear advantage. They are 4-2 SU and 3-1 ATS, while the Colonels are 3-3 SU and 1-3 ATS.
The Colonels won the lone contest against the Hilltoppers last season, 78-59. The Colonels dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a turnover percentage of 12.8 and an absurd effective field goal percentage of 0.623. For those same stats, the Hilltoppers had marks of 19.2 and 0.440, respectively.
Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Western Kentucky, ATS Winner – Eastern Kentucky, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Colonels average 13.6 assists per game, which ranks 154th in the nation. The Hilltoppers rank 240th in assists allowed per game (14.5).
- Eastern Kentucky ranks 104th in three pointers attempted per game (22.7) while Western Kentucky ranks 282nd (18.2).
- The Hilltoppers rank 85th in steals allowed per game (5.7) while the Colonels rank 253rd (7.3).
- Western Kentucky ranks 144th in rebounds allowed per game (34.7) while Eastern Kentucky ranks 238th (36.8).
