The BYU Cougars (7-2) and the Weber State Wildcats (4-4) clash at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 144.5 points with BYU opening as a 10.5-point favorite. Action gets underway at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 9, 2017.
Weber State Wildcats vs. BYU Cougars Betting Preview
The last time the Wildcats played, they got blown out by the Utah Valley Wolverines, 83-56. Weber State’s Brekkott Chapman contributed 15 points, six rebounds and six assists in the contest. Utah Valley’s 32.3 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest strength over Weber State, who had a mark of 15.4. The Wolverines mark was below their season average of 38.4, while the Wildcats was below their season average of 22.2.
The Cougars hope to maintain momentum after beating the Illinois State Redbirds in their last game, 80-68. BYU rallied around Elijah Bryant, who recorded 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. BYU dominated nearly every stat category in the game. They had a free throw rate of 0.190 (matching their season average) and a turnover percentage of 12.1 (better than their season average of 16.6). For those same stats, Illinois State was 0.115 and 16.7, respectively.
BYU should have the advantage on the offensive side of the ball. Dating back to last season, the Cougars rank 78th in offensive efficiency, while the Wildcats rank 204th in defensive efficiency. Furthermore, the Wildcats rank 331st in offensive rebounding percentage (22.4 percent), while the Cougars rank 50th in defensive rebounding percentage (75.0 percent).
Games involving these teams have a tendency to finish under the O/U total. Weber State games have finished under 80.0 percent of the time, while 57.1 percent of BYU games have finished under. The Cougars hold a clear advantage in both straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) records. They are 7-2 SU and 3-4 ATS, while the Wildcats are 4-4 SU and 2-3 ATS.
The Cougars won the sole game against the Wildcats last season, 77-66. The Cougars dominated every stat category in the game. They had a superb free throw rate of 0.305 and a turnover percentage of 14.6. The Wildcats were 0.196 and 17.2, respectively, for those same stats.
Weber State Wildcats vs. BYU Cougars Betting Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – BYU, ATS Winner – Weber State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Wildcats rank 48th in steals allowed per game (5.3) while the Cougars rank 105th (6.7).
- Weber State is 10th in the NCAA with 16.7 three pointers allowed per game while BYU is 44th with 23.6 three pointers allowed per game.
- BYU ranks 35th in assists per game (15.8) while Weber State ranks 159th (13.6).
- The Cougars rank 35th in rebounds allowed per game (35.3) while the Wildcats rank 149th (34.8).
- Weber State ranks 12th in blocks allowed per game (2.4) while BYU ranks 106th (3.0).
