The Niagara Purple Eagles (7-7, 0-1 MAAC) will be at Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard to clash with the Fairfield Stags (3-11, 0-2 MAAC) in a MAAC matchup. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, January 7, 2019, and will air on ESPN 3.
Niagara Purple Eagles vs. Fairfield Stags ATS Odds
In their last matchup, the Stags lost big to the 24th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers, 90-57, while the Purple Eagles defeated the St. Bonaventure Bonnies, 80-72.
Niagara dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.306 and a turnover percentage of 14.1. For those same stats, St. Bonaventure recorded marks of 0.029 and 17.8, respectively. Fairfield, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (15.8 vs. 16.5). Jonathan Kasibabu played well for Fairfield, recording 14 points. Niagara, meanwhile, was led by Marvin Prochet, who had 20 points and 10 rebounds.
The Stags edged out the Purple Eagles in this series last year, winning two out of three games. In the most recent matchup, Fairfield won 90-77. Fairfield made 12 of their 24 three pointers (50.0 percent). Niagara was, meanwhile, 5-18 (27.8 percent). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Neftali Alvarez and Landon Taliaferro have played at a high level over the last five games for Fairfield. Alvarez has averaged 0 points, while Taliaferro has put up 0 points a game during that span.
Fairfield could have difficulty getting to the free throw line in this contest. The Stags rank 324th in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.176, while Niagara ranks 15th in FTA rate allowed (0.163).
Niagara vs. Fairfield Free Pick
College Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Fairfield, ATS Winner – Niagara, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Niagara ranks 67th in rebounds per game (38.5) while Fairfield ranks 261st (30.2).
- The Purple Eagles rank 23rd in steals allowed per game (5.0) while the Stags rank 72nd (5.9).
- Fairfield ranks 124th in assists per game (13.8) while Niagara ranks 153rd in assists allowed per game (13.9).
- The Purple Eagles rank 46th in blocks per game (4.4) while the Stags rank 176th (1.6).
- Fairfield ranks 35th in three pointers allowed per game (19.6) while Niagara ranks 129th (22.6).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Stags have scored an average of 68.4 points per game (4.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 76.6 points per game (1.3 below their season average).
- The Purple Eagles’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 3.6, up from 2.2 for the season.
