The North Texas Mean Green (14-14, 7-8 CUSA) will travel to FAU Arena to meet the Florida Atlantic Owls (11-16, 5-10 CUSA) in their home finale. North Texas opened as a 2-point favorite, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 136 points. Action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 24, 2018.
North Texas Mean Green at Florida Atlantic Owls Free Preview
In the Mean Green’s last matchup, they lost a tough one against the FIU Golden Panthers, 69-68. With 18 points on 8-for-14 shooting, Ryan Woolridge was the top scorer from either team. FIU had an effective field goal percentage of 0.573 (above their season average of 0.481). North Texas, on the other hand, had a turnover percentage of 8.1 (better than their season average of 17.1).
The Owls are hoping for a better outcome after their 79-76 loss to the Rice Owls in their last matchup. Ronald Delph led Florida Atlantic in scoring with 18 points on 8-for-16 shooting. Rice had a turnover percentage of 6.9 (better than their season average of 19.2). Florida Atlantic, on the other hand, did a great job of making free throws (18-24; 75.0 percent).
The offense of North Texas (177th in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 105.8) will clash against the top-notch defense of Florida Atlantic (75th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 99.5). The Owls should have the edge on that end of the court.
Of North Texas 22 games that accepted bets, 12 have finished under the O/U total, while 14 of Florida Atlantic’s 22 games have finished under the O/U total. The Mean Green hold a clear advantage in both straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 14-14 SU and 14-8 ATS, while the Owls are 11-16 SU and 9-13 ATS.
Woolridge has been exceptional over the last five games for North Texas, averaging 13.8 points, 5.8 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game.
These teams have already met once this season. In that game, the two teams combined to score 112 points, well under the projected point total of 137.5. The Mean Green won 59-53, covering as 6-point favorites. The Mean Green dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had an absurd offensive rebounding percentage of 43.2 and a great free throw rate of 0.255. The Owls had marks of 28.9 and 0.179, respectively, for those same stats. Delph recorded a double-double in the defeat, with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
North Texas Mean Green at Florida Atlantic Owls ATS Prediction
Free Pick: SU Winner – North Texas, ATS Winner – North Texas, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Owls rank 155th in steals per game (5.9) while the Mean Green rank 228th (4.7).
- North Texas ranks 28th in assists allowed per game (11.2) while Florida Atlantic ranks 71st (12.2).
- North Texas is 11-3 ATS on the road, while Florida Atlantic is 3-6 ATS at home.
- In 14 road games, the Mean Green have 8 unders, 5 overs and 1 push.
- The Owls have 5 unders and 4 overs in 9 home games.
- North Texas ranks 72nd in rebounds per game (37.5) while Florida Atlantic ranks 238th in rebounds allowed per game (37.0).
- The Mean Green rank 118th in three pointers attempted per game (22.8) while the Owls rank 279th (17.6).
- Florida Atlantic ranks 34th in blocks allowed per game (2.6) while North Texas ranks 162nd (4.1).
Betting Trends:
- Florida Atlantic is 2-3 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, North Texas is 3-2 ATS with 2 overs, 2 unders and 1 push.
- The Owls average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 6.4, up from 0.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Mean Green have scored an average of 74.8 points per game (0.8 above their season average) and allowed an average of 76.8 points per game (4.8 above their season average).
