Wichita State at Connecticut College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/30/2017

Saturday, December 30, 2017

XL Center

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Wichita State Shockers head to XL Center to take on the Connecticut Huskies on Saturday, December 30, 2017. The opening line for this matchup has Wichita State as 9 point favorites.

Wichita State comes into this game with an overall record of 10-2. They currently have a point differential of 14.9 as they are averaging 85.8 points per game while giving up 70.8 per contest. Connecticut has an overall mark of 7-5. They are averaging 70.0 points per contest and giving up 73.1, which is a point differential of -3.1.

Valuable Wichita State Shockers Betting Trends

The Wichita State Shockers are 4-6 against the spread this season

The Wichita State Shockers are 5-5 against the over/under this year

Important Connecticut Huskies Betting Trends

The Connecticut Huskies are 2-7 against the spread this season

The Connecticut Huskies are 5-4 against the over/under this year

Key Wichita State Shockers Injuries

12/22/17 F Markis McDuffie Foot is upgraded to probable Friday vs Fla Gulf Coast
12/22/17 C Shaquille Morris Migraine is OUT Friday vs Fla Gulf Coast

Key Connecticut Huskies Injuries

12/23/17 G Alterique Gilbert Shoulder is out for season
11/07/17 G Sidney Wilson Eligibility is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Landry Shamet averages 17.1 points per contest while playing 29.8 minutes per night this year. He grabs 3 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.6 assists per game. His FG percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is 89%. Darral Willis Jr. averages 12.8 points per contest in 21.8 minutes per game this year. He averages 1.3 assists per game and 7.5 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 52% for the season while his free throw percentage is 66%.

Player Spotlight

Jalen Adams scores 18.2 points per contest while playing 37.5 minutes per game this season. He hauls in 4.3 rebounds per contest and has 3.5 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 72%. Terry Larrier averages 15.5 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 33.3 minutes per game. He also brings in 5.3 rebounds per game and has 0.6 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

Wichita State averages 85.8 points per contest this year, which is 26th in the nation. Their average scoring margin is 14.9 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a unit, which has them ranked 43rd. From 3-point territory they shoot 39%, which is good for 51st in Division 1. They average 42.7 boards per contest and 18.0 assists per game, which ranks them 9th and 21st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 237th with 12.8 per game. The Shockers allow 70.8 points per contest, which is 150th in the country. They also surrender a 39% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 37th and 135th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 30.8 rebounds a game which ranks 26th, and they allow 10.8 assists per game which puts them in 36th place in college basketball. They force 12.0 turnovers per game which ranks them 53rd in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Connecticut is 279th in the country with 70.0 points per contest this season. They are 329th in the nation in shooting at 40%, while their average scoring margin is -3.1. They shoot 31% from beyond the arc, which is good for 307th in Division 1. They are 122nd in the country in rebounding with 37.6 boards per contest and 350th in assists per game with 9.3. The Huskies are 178th in turnovers per contest with 13.5. The Huskies give up 73.1 points per game, which ranks them 212th in the nation. Their defense surrenders a 43% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 162nd and 260th in those defensive statistics. They rank 157th with 13.0 dimes allowed per game and 204th with 35.5 boards surrendered per contest. The Huskies are 151st in college basketball in forcing turnovers with 13.6 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Shockers are 23rd in the nation in offensive rating with 117.5, and their defensive rating of 97 is ranked 110th. In terms of pace they are 83rd in the country with 73 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 56% is 36th. As a team they are 31st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 60% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 149th in Division 1. Wichita State is 275th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.1 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 46%, which is 57th in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

Connecticut is 184th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 51%, which is 212th in Division 1. The Huskies are 209th in the nation in defensive rating with 102, and their offensive rating of 97.7 is ranked 293rd. They are 209th in D-1 in pace with 70.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 46% is 334th. As a unit they are 316th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 50% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 231st in the country.

Who will win tonight's Wichita State/Connecticut college basketball game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take Wichita State -9

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Guy Bruhn