The Norfolk State Spartans (5-9) and the Niagara Purple Eagles (6-5) face off at Gallagher Center. The Spartans will attempt to end a six-game road losing streak. Action gets underway at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 29, 2018.
Norfolk State Spartans vs. Niagara Purple Eagles ATS Odds
In their last outing, the Purple Eagles defeated the St. Bonaventure Bonnies, 80-72, while the Spartans lost big to the 19th-ranked Michigan Wolverines, 63-44.
Niagara played a nearly perfect contest. They had a free throw rate of 0.306 and a turnover percentage of 14.1. St. Bonaventure was 0.029 and 17.8, respectively, for those same stats. Norfolk State, on the other hand, had a better turnover percentage (16.9 vs. 14.2). Niagara rallied around Marvin Prochet, who contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds. Nic Thomas, meanwhile had a good game for Norfolk State, finishing with nine points and five rebounds.
The Purple Eagles won the lone contest between these two teams last year, 85-82. Getting to the free throw line was one of Niagara’s biggest advantages. They made 34 trips to the line, while Norfolk State went 19 times. This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Norfolk State does a solid job at getting to the charity stripe. They rank 56th in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.282), but Niagara is among the best in the NCAA at keeping opponents off the line (ranking 27th by allowing a FTA rate of 0.171).
Norfolk State Spartans at Niagara Purple Eagles ATS Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Niagara, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Niagara ranks 42nd in rebounds per game (39.7) while Norfolk State ranks 196th (34.1).
- The Spartans are 21st in the nation with 4.9 steals allowed per game while the Purple Eagles are 26th with 5.1 steals allowed per game.
- The Spartans rank 27th in blocks per game (4.9) while the Purple Eagles rank 105th in blocks allowed per game (3.8).
- Niagara averages 23.2 three pointers per game, which ranks 118th in the NCAA. Norfolk State ranks 163rd in three pointers allowed per game (24.0).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Purple Eagles have scored an average of 69.0 points per game (1.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.6 points per game (0.2 below their season average).
- The Spartans’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.4, up from 0.9 for the season.
