The Samford Bulldogs (8-15, 4-6 SoCon) will try to snap the 13-game winning streak of East Tennessee State when they head to Freedom Hall Civic Center to square off with the Buccaneers (19-4, 10-0 SoCon). The Over/Under (O/U) for the game opened at 151 points with East Tennessee State set as a 17.5-point favorite. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 1, 2018.
Samford Bulldogs vs. East Tennessee State Buccaneers Odds Preview
In the Bulldogs’ last matchup, they beat the VMI Keydets, 93-79. Triston Chambers was the game’s leading scorer with 34 points on 10-for-18 shooting. The Bulldogs knocked down 25 of their 28 free throws (89.3 percent) and held the Keydets to an effective field goal percentage of 0.474 (below the 0.568 mark opponents have averaged against Samford this season).
The Buccaneers come in on a high note after barely hanging on to beat the Citadel Bulldogs in their last outing, 73-71. East Tennessee State was lifted by Desonta Bradford, who was the game’s high scorer with 23 points on 7-for-13 shooting. East Tennessee State dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a phenomenal offensive rebounding percentage of 33.3 (above their season average of 31.3) and a free throw rate of 0.443 (above their season average of 0.254). Citadel was 18.6 and 0.414, respectively, for those same stats.
East Tennessee State should have the edge on the offensive side of the ball. The Buccaneers currently rank 80th in offensive efficiency, while Samford ranks 339th in defensive efficiency.
In terms of the O/U total, these teams are complete opposites. Games involving Samford have finished over 64.7 percent of the time, while 68.4 percent of East Tennessee State games have finished under. The Buccaneers come into this game with a significant advantage in terms of straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 19-4 SU and 13-4-2 ATS, while the Bulldogs are 8-15 SU and 7-10 ATS.
Bradford has really been playing well over the last five games for East Tennessee State, averaging 14.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks per game.
These teams have already met once this season. The two teams combined to score 162 points in that game, which was well over the projected point total of 144.5. The Buccaneers won 90-72, covering as 8.5-point favorites. East Tennessee State had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.716 vs. 0.518). Samford, meanwhile, had a better turnover percentage (20.0 vs. 21.0). Bradford was a top performer in the victory, with 18 points and five assists.
Samford Bulldogs vs. East Tennessee State Buccaneers Betting Prediction
Free Pick: SU Winner – East Tennessee State, ATS Winner – East Tennessee State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Bulldogs rank 76th in three pointers attempted per game (24.2) while the Buccaneers rank 197th in three pointers allowed per game (23.3).
- East Tennessee State ranks 27th in steals per game (7.9) while Samford ranks 137th in steals allowed per game (6.6).
- Samford is 3-8 ATS on the road with 6 overs and 5 unders.
- At home, East Tennessee State is 5-2-1 ATS with 5 unders and 3 overs.
- East Tennessee State ranks 33rd in assists allowed per game (11.2) while Samford ranks 254th (19.3).
- The Buccaneers rank 90th in rebounds per game (37.2) while the Bulldogs rank 279th (30.5).
- East Tennessee State ranks 48th in blocks per game (4.4) while Samford ranks 184th (2.3).
Bettings Trends:
- East Tennessee State is 2-2-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over in their last five games.
- Over their last five games, Samford is 3-2 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under.
- The Buccaneers’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.2, down from 11.4 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Bulldogs have scored an average of 80.4 points per game (4.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 85.2 points per game (5.5 above their season average).
