The NJIT Highlanders (0-5) are off to a slow start and will try to pick up their first win when they take on the Brown Bears (6-6) at Paul Bailey Pizzitola Sports Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, and it can be seen on ESPN Full Court.
NJIT Highlanders vs. Brown Bears Free Preview
The Highlanders lost to the Buffalo Bulls in their last contest, 86-81. Shawndale Jones put together a good performance for NJIT, recording 15 points and nine rebounds. Buffalo did a great job of making free throws (21-28; 75.0 percent). NJIT, on the other hand, held the Bulls to an effective field goal percentage of 0.471 (below their season average of 0.522).
In the Bears last game, they were defeated by the Northwestern Wildcats, 95-73. With 22 points, Desmond Cambridge played well for Brown. Northwestern did a terrific job of converting from the charity stripe (23-28; 82.1 percent). Brown, on the other hand, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (33.3 vs. 29.6).
The aggressive Brown offense could be living from the charity stripe in this battle. Since last season, the Bears rank sixth in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.337, while NJIT ranks 236th in FTA rate allowed (0.253).
The Highlanders won the only contest against the Bears last season, 75-73. The Highlanders played a nearly flawless game. They had a ridiculous free throw rate of 0.646 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 23.3. The Bears had marks of 0.373 and 18.2, respectively, for those same stats.
NJIT Highlanders vs. Brown Bears Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – NJIT, ATS Winner – NJIT, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Bears average 33.0 rebounds per game, which ranks 95th in the nation. The Highlanders rank 107th in rebounds allowed per game (34.4).
- NJIT ranks 88th in steals per game (6.7) while Brown ranks 127th in steals allowed per game (7.0).
- The Highlanders rank 67th in three pointers attempted per game (24.8) while the Bears rank 91st in three pointers allowed per game (20.6).
- Brown ranks 146th in assists per game (13.4) while NJIT ranks 161st in assists allowed per game (14.3).
