Western Illinois at Butler College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/21/2017

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Hinkle Fieldhouse

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Western Illinois Leathernecks travel to Hinkle Fieldhouse to play the Butler Bulldogs on Thursday, December 21, 2017. The opening line for this game has Butler as 18 point favorites.

Western Illinois heads into this matchup with a mark of 7-3. They currently have a point differential of 14.0 as they are averaging 78.0 points per contest while giving up 64.0 per game. Butler has an overall mark of 9-3. They are averaging 75.3 points per contest and giving up 67.6, which is a point differential of 7.7.

Valuable Western Illinois Leathernecks Betting Trends

The Western Illinois Leathernecks are 5-2 against the spread this season

The Western Illinois Leathernecks are 4-3 against the over/under this year

Important Butler Bulldogs Betting Trends

The Butler Bulldogs are 6-5 against the spread this season

The Butler Bulldogs are 6-5 against the over/under this year

Key Western Illinois Leathernecks Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Butler Bulldogs Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Kobe Webster averages 15.1 points per game in 33.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 5.1 assists per contest and 3.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%. Dalan Ancrum averages 17.3 points per game while playing 34.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 5.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.7 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage is at 76%.

Player Spotlight

Kamar Baldwin averages 13.3 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.4 rebounds per contest and 2.7 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 41% and his free throw percentage is 68%. Kelan Martin averages 17.8 points per game while playing 35 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 7.8 rebounds per game and has 1.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 88%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Leathernecks allow 64.0 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 36th in the nation. They also allow a 39% shooting percentage and a 32% average from behind the arc, ranking them 42nd and 85th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 31.1 rebounds a game which ranks 36th, and they give up 13.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 182nd place in the country. They force 13.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 155th in college basketball. Western Illinois averages 78.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 118th in Division 1. Their average scoring margin is 14.0 and their shooting percentage is 52% as a team, which has them ranked 8th. Behind the arc they shoot 41% which is good for 22nd in D-1. They average 38.1 rebounds per game and 15.5 assists per game, which ranks them 101st and 97th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 57th with 15.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bulldogs surrender 67.6 points per contest, which ranks them 90th in the country. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 39% average from 3-point range, ranking them 190th and 318th in those defensive statistics. They rank 62nd with 11.4 assists allowed per contest, and 31st with 31.0 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bulldogs are 288th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 16.0 per game this season. Butler is 177th in Division 1 with 75.3 points per game this year. They are 105th in the country in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 7.7. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 285th in the nation. They are 235th in college basketball in rebounding with 34.8 boards per game and 221st in assists per contest with 13.3. The Bulldogs are 241st in turnovers per game with 12.8.

Advanced Statistics

The Leathernecks are 97th in the nation in offensive rating with 109.9, and their defensive rating of 90.1 is ranked 23rd. In terms of pace they are 264th in the country with 69.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 60% is 5th. As a team they are 11th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 62% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shots, ranking 143rd in Division 1. Western Illinois is 28th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 19.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 17.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 46%, which is 52nd in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

Butler is 228th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.7 times per 100 possessions while forcing 20.5 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 241st in Division 1. The Bulldogs are 92nd in the nation in defensive rating with 95.5, and their offensive rating of 106.4 is ranked 151st. They are 226th in D-1 in pace with 70 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 52% is 161st. As a unit they are 169th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shot attempts, ranking 217th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Western Illinois/Butler college basketball game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Butler -18

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