It will be a matchup between two outstanding offenses when the LIU Sharks (9-10, 4-2 NEC) square off against the Saint Francis U Red Flash (12-6, 5-2 NEC) at Steinberg Wellness Center. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 23, 2020.
Saint Francis U Red Flash at LIU Sharks Betting Odds
Both teams were beaten in their last outing. The Sharks fell to the Wagner Seahawks, 72-64, while the Red Flash were defeated by the Merrimack Warriors, 72-55.
Saint Francis U held Merrimack to an offensive rebounding percentage of 19.0 (below the 28.0 mark opponents have averaged against Saint Francis U this season) while LIU had a better turnover percentage (16.3 vs. 17.5). Ty Flowers put together a solid outing for LIU with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, Keith Braxton played well for Saint Francis U, recording 12 points.
The Red Flash took this series last year, winning two out of three contests. In the most recent game, Saint Francis U won 72-64. Saint Francis U made good use of their 31 trips to the free throw line, making 25 of them (80.6 percent). LIU, meanwhile, was just 7-12 (58.3 percent). This is the first time these teams will meet this year.
The sharp-shooting offense of LIU (49th in the country with an effective field goal percentage 0.534) will go head-to-head against the bottom-tier defense of Saint Francis U (293rd in effective field goal percentage allowed 0.518). The Sharks figure to have the advantage on that end of the court.
Saint Francis U Red Flash at LIU Sharks Betting Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – LIU, ATS Winner – LIU, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- LIU ranks eighth in three pointers attempted per game (29.4) while Saint Francis U ranks 252nd (17.9).
- The Sharks rank 85th in steals per game (7.2) while the Red Flash rank 128th in steals allowed per game (6.7).
- LIU ranks 94th in blocks per game (3.5) while Saint Francis U ranks 96th in blocks allowed per game (3.3).
- The Red Flash rank 80th in rebounds allowed per game (33.4) while the Sharks rank 275th (40.7).
- LIU averages 14.7 assists per game, which ranks 58th in the NCAA. Saint Francis U ranks 130th in assists allowed per game (12.7).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Sharks have scored an average of 76.2 points per game (2.1 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.2 points per game (9.0 below their season average).
- The Red Flash’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.8, down from 4.9 for the season.