The Niagara Purple Eagles (7-14, 5-5 MAAC) will be at Draddy Gymnasium to clash with the Manhattan Jaspers (9-10, 5-5 MAAC) in a MAAC matchup. Action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, February 7, 2020, and can be seen on ESPNU.
Niagara Purple Eagles at Manhattan Jaspers Betting Odds
Both teams were victorious in their last game. The Jaspers won big over the Iona Gaels 72-49, while the Purple Eagles were victorious over the Quinnipiac Bobcats 75-59.
The Purple Eagles had a fantastically low turnover percentage of 4.4 (better than their season average of 14.9) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.581 (above their season average of 0.492). Meanwhile, Manhattan played a nearly flawless game. They had an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 55.3 (above their season average of 27.1) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.517 (above their season average of 0.460). For those same stats, Iona was 30.3 and 0.391, respectively. Christian Hinckson played a pivotal role for Manhattan with 12 points, six rebounds and six assists. Niagara, meanwhile, rallied around Marcus Hammond, who put up 23 points and six rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, Tykei Greene led the Jaspers to a 67-62 win. He was the game’s leading scorer with 21 points. Manhattan’s free throw rate was their largest advantage over Niagara. The Jaspers had a rate of 0.211, while the Purple Eagles posted a mark of 0.119.
Half-court execution will be at a premium when a pair of the country’s slowest-paced teams clash. Manhattan currently ranks 261st in possessions per game (67.8) and Niagara is 298th (66.9). Moreover, the Purple Eagles commit the 16th-fewest errors in the country (turnover percentage of 15.8 percent), while the ball-hawking defense of the Jaspers causes the 41st-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 22.7 percent).
Niagara Purple Eagles at Manhattan Jaspers Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Niagara, ATS Winner – Niagara, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Manhattan ranks 31st in three pointers allowed per game (18.5) while Niagara ranks 232nd (24.2).
- The Purple Eagles rank 16th in steals allowed per game (4.9) while the Jaspers rank 118th (6.5).
- Manhattan averages 3.6 blocks per game, which ranks 85th in the nation. Niagara ranks 110th in blocks allowed per game (3.4).
- The Jaspers rank 82nd in assists allowed per game (11.7) while the Purple Eagles rank 252nd (16.5).
- Manhattan ranks 127th in rebounds per game (36.2) while Niagara ranks 287th (27.5).
Bettings Trends:
- The Jaspers’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 1.4, up from 0.6 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Purple Eagles have scored an average of 63.8 points per game (2.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 67.4 points per game (6.3 below their season average).
