The Belmont Bruins (22-8, 14-3 OVC) and Tennessee State Tigers (15-13, 10-7 OVC) will clash at Curb Event Center to bring the regular season to an end. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 24, 2018.
Tennessee State Tigers vs. Belmont Bruins Betting Preview
In the Tigers last matchup, they lost to the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, 69-64. Tennessee State’s Delano Spencer had a solid game, finishing with 16 points and eight rebounds. Tennessee Tech had an effective field goal percentage of 0.576 (above their season average of 0.509). Tennessee State, meanwhile, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 40.5 (above their season average of 26.0).
The Bruins are hoping for a better outcome after their 78-67 loss to the Jacksonville State Gamecocks in their last outing. Dylan Windler was the top scorer from either team with 22 points on 8-for-17 shooting. Jacksonville State’s free throw rate was their largest strength over Belmont. The Gamecocks had a rate of 0.175 (below their season average of 0.218), while the Bruins posted a mark of 0.063 (below their season average of 0.219).
This matchup pits one of the nations top offenses against one of its elite defenses as Belmont currently ranks 28th in offensive efficiency and Tennessee State is 42nd in defensive efficiency. Furthermore, second chance points could be few and far between for the Tigers. They rank 260th in the nation in offensive rebounding percentage at 26.6 percent, while the Bruins are 47th-best on the defensive glass (defensive rebounding percentage of 74.8 percent).
These teams have already met once this season. The Tigers won 64-56. The Tigers dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an absurd free throw rate of 0.457 and an offensive rebounding percentage of 21.4. The Bruins were 0.128 and 13.8, respectively, for those same stats. Christian Mekowulu recorded a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Tennessee State Tigers at Belmont Bruins Odds Prediction
Pick: SU Winner – Tennessee State, ATS Winner – Tennessee State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Tigers rank 47th in steals allowed per game (5.4) while the Bruins rank 82nd (5.9).
- Belmont ranks 42nd in blocks allowed per game (2.7) while Tennessee State ranks 68th (3.0).
- Belmont ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (30.4) while Tennessee State ranks 258th in three pointers allowed per game (25.0).
- The Bruins rank 38th in assists per game (16.0) while the Tigers rank 261st (10.8).
- Belmont ranks 199th in rebounds per game (34.2) while Tennessee State ranks 251st (33.0).
Betting Trends:
- The Bruins average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.0, down from 8.5 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Tigers have scored an average of 67.0 points per game (0.3 above their season average) and allowed an average of 63.6 points per game (2.6 below their season average).
