The Missouri State Bears (10-11, 4-4 MVC) will be at the Athletics-Recreation Center to clash against the Valparaiso Crusaders (12-9, 5-3 MVC) in a MVC matchup. The game gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 29, 2019.
Missouri State Bears vs. Valparaiso Crusaders ATS Odds
In their last outing, the Crusaders fell to the Drake Bulldogs, 70-59, while the Bears won big over the Bradley Braves, 55-37.
Missouri State played a flawless game. They had a great free throw rate of 0.271 (above their season average of 0.246) and an offensive rebounding percentage of 31.3 (above their season average of 27.4). Bradley was 0.071 and 10.7, respectively, for those same stats. Valparaiso, on the other hand, forced Drake into a turnover percentage of 21.8 (above their season average of 16.9). Daniel Sackey had a solid outing for Valparaiso with 13 points. Meanwhile, Keandre Cook played well for Missouri State, finishing with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Deion Lavender led the Crusaders to an 82-66 win. He put up seven points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Valparaiso’s effective field goal percentage was its largest strength over Missouri State. The Crusaders had a rate of 0.614 while the Bears posted a mark of 0.413.
This has potential to be a sloppy game for the offense of Valparaiso. Valparaiso ranks 247th in the country in ball protection (turnover percentage of 19.8 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of Missouri State forces the 39th-most turnovers in the country (22.5 percent).
Missouri State Bears at Valparaiso Crusaders Pick
Basketball Tip: SU Winner – Missouri State, ATS Winner – Valparaiso, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Valparaiso ranks 61st in assists per game (15.0) while Missouri State ranks 166th in assists allowed per game (13.9).
- The Bears rank 46th in rebounds allowed per game (32.0) while the Crusaders rank 85th (33.3).
- The Bears average 7.5 steals per game, which ranks 56th in the NCAA. The Crusaders rank 151st in steals allowed per game (7.0).
- Missouri State ranks 175th in three pointers attempted per game (21.6) while Valparaiso ranks 243rd (19.5).
Bettings Trends:
- The Bears’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.2, up from 3.1 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Crusaders have scored an average of 61.2 points per game (8.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 67.6 points per game (0.1 above their season average).
