he IUPUI Jaguars (11-17, 8-9 Hor) and Northern Kentucky Norse (21-8, 14-3 Hor) will battle at Indiana Farmers Coliseum to wrap up the regular season. Northern Kentucky is a 9-point favorite on the opening line, while the Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 139 points. Action begins at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 25, 2018.
Northern Kentucky Norse vs. IUPUI Jaguars Free Preview
n the Norse’s last contest, they were victorious over the UIC Flames, 79-72. Lavone Holland II was the top scorer from either team with 25 points on 7-for-15 shooting. The Norse held the Flames to an effective field goal percentage of 0.452 (below their season average of 0.507) and had an offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3 (above their season average of 29.4).
he Jaguars will look to maintain momentum after beating the Wright State Raiders in their last game, 66-56. IUPUI was lifted by T.J. Henderson, who was the top scorer from either team with 12 points on 1-for-5 shooting. IUPUI dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had a turnover percentage of 13.5 (better than their season average of 17.7) and a free throw rate of 0.523 (above their season average of 0.205). Wright State put up marks of 22.6 and 0.396, respectively, for those same stats.
he inefficient offense of IUPUI (281st in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 101.0) will battle against the elite defense of Northern Kentucky (eighth in the NCAA with a defensive efficiency of 93.8). The Norse figure to have the edge on that side of the ball.
oth of these teams tend to go under the O/U total. Games involving Northern Kentucky have gone under 61.5 percent of the time, while IUPUI games have gone under 61.5 percent of the time. Looking at straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records, the Norse have a substantial advantage. They are 21-8 SU and 16-10 ATS, while the Jaguars are 11-17 SU and 12-14 ATS.
hese teams have already met once this season. The Norse won 77-59. The Norse dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a fantastic effective field goal percentage of 0.630 and a free throw rate of 0.167. For those same stats, the Jaguars put up marks of 0.403 and 0.145, respectively. Drew McDonald put up a double-double in the victory with 27 points and 10 rebounds.
Northern Kentucky Norse at IUPUI Jaguars Betting Prediction
asketball Prediction: SU Winner – Northern Kentucky, ATS Winner – Northern Kentucky, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Norse rank 96th in rebounds per game (36.6) while the Jaguars rank 116th in rebounds allowed per game (34.1).
- IUPUI is 6-4 ATS at home, while Northern Kentucky is 9-5 ATS on the road.
- The total has gone over in 7 of the Norse’s 14 road games, while 6 of the Jaguars 10 home games have gone under.
- Northern Kentucky averages 7.3 steals per game, which ranks 47th in the nation. IUPUI ranks 201st in steals allowed per game (7.2).
- The Norse rank 24th in assists per game (16.6) while the Jaguars rank 177th (13.0).
- Northern Kentucky ranks 107th in blocks per game (3.4) while IUPUI ranks 178th in blocks allowed per game (4.1).
Betting Trends:
- IUPUI is 3-2 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Northern Kentucky is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
- The Jaguars have outscored opponents by an average of 4.6 points in their last five games. For the season, IUPUI has lost by an average of 3.8 points.
- During their last five games, the Norse have scored an average of 71.2 points per game (7.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 64.8 points per game (0.8 below their season average).