The Green Bay Phoenix (10-15, 5-7 Hor) can snap a 10-game road losing streak when they square off against the Milwaukee Panthers (12-13, 5-7 Hor) at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 139.5 points with Milwaukee opening as a 6-point favorite. Action starts at 8 p.m. ET on Friday, February 2, 2018.
Green Bay Phoenix at Milwaukee Panthers ATS Preview
The Phoenix won big over the Youngstown State Penguins in their last game, 85-67. Khalil Small was the games leading scorer with 27 points on 10-for-21 shooting. Green Bay played a nearly perfect game. They had a turnover percentage of 10.6 (better than their season average of 17.2) and a free throw rate of 0.277 (above their season average of 0.249). For those same stats, Youngstown State was 18.9 and 0.182, respectively.
In the Panthers last matchup, they were blown out by the UIC Flames, 74-56. With 12 points and 12 rebounds, Bryce Nze had a solid outing for Milwaukee. UIC held the Panthers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.404 (below their season average of 0.517). Milwaukee, on the other hand, held the Flames to an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.6 (below their season average of 29.6).
Milwaukee might struggle to score as they go head-to-head against one of the NCAA’s best defenses. Green Bay ranks 94th in defensive efficiency while the Panthers rank 280th in offensive efficiency. It will also be a showdown of contrasting styles as the up-and-down Phoenix rank 31st in possessions per game, while the more half-court oriented Panthers rank 269th.
Of Green Bay’s 20 games that accepted bets, 10 have finished over the O/U total, while 14 of Milwaukee’s 23 games have finished under the O/U total. The Panthers have the superior straight up (SU) record (12-13 vs. 10-15), but both teams have comparable against the spread (ATS) records. Milwaukee is 9-14, while Green Bay is 9-10-1 ATS.
Small has been playing at a high level over the last five games for Green Bay, averaging 18.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game.
These teams have already met once this season. The two teams combined to put up 191 points in that game, which was well over the projected point total of 142.5. The Phoenix won 99-92, covering as 2.5-point underdogs. The Phoenix dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a ridiculous free throw rate of 0.338 and a great offensive rebounding percentage of 27.3. For those same stats, the Panthers had marks of 0.173 and 24.5, respectively. Despite the loss, Jeremiah Bell was a top performer in the game with 26 points, six assists and five rebounds.
Green Bay Phoenix at Milwaukee Panthers ATS Prediction
Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Milwaukee, ATS Winner – Green Bay, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Panthers average 21.3 three pointers per game, which ranks 170th in the nation. The Phoenix rank 215th in three pointers allowed per game (23.9).
- Green Bay is 3-6-1 ATS on the road, while Milwaukee is 6-7 ATS at home.
- Of the Phoenix’s 10 road games, they have 7 overs and 3 unders.
- The Panthers have 10 unders and 3 overs in 13 home games.
- Milwaukee ranks 71st in rebounds allowed per game (33.0) while Green Bay ranks 272nd (39.4).
- The Phoenix rank 46th in steals per game (7.4) while the Panthers rank 160th (5.7).
- Milwaukee averages 3.7 blocks per game, which ranks 84th in the NCAA. Green Bay ranks 174th in blocks allowed per game (4.6).
Betting Trends:
- Milwaukee is 3-2 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Green Bay is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Panthers average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.2, down from 1.3 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Phoenix have scored an average of 76.4 points per game (1.5 above their season average) and allowed an average of 72.0 points per game (1.2 below their season average).
