Ball State at Western Michigan College Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/13/2018

Saturday, January 13, 2018

University Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Ball State Cardinals travel to University Arena to play the Western Michigan Broncos on Saturday, January 13, 2018. The opening line for this game has Ball State as 1 point favorites.

Ball State heads into this matchup with a mark of 11-5. They currently have a point differential of 2.9 as they are averaging 76.8 points per contest while giving up 73.9 per game. Western Michigan has an overall record of 10-6. They are averaging 75.3 points per game and surrendering 71.8, good for a point differential of 3.6.

Valuable Ball State Cardinals Betting Trends

The Ball State Cardinals are 6-4 against the spread this season

The Ball State Cardinals are 4-6 against the over/under this year

Important Western Michigan Broncos Betting Trends

The Western Michigan Broncos are 6-7 against the spread this season

The Western Michigan Broncos are 5-8 against the over/under this year

Key Ball State Cardinals Injuries

01/07/18 G Jontrell Walker Suspension is out indefinitely
01/07/18 F Zach Gunn Foot is out indefinitely

Key Western Michigan Broncos Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Kyle Mallers averages 11.4 points per game in 27.1 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.2 assists per contest and 5.1 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 46% for the year while his free throw percentage is 86%. Tayler Persons averages 14.4 points per game while playing 28.1 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.4 rebounds per game and dishes out 4.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 43% while his free throw percentage is at 79%.

Player Spotlight

Josh Davis averages 10.4 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 26 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.6 rebounds per contest and 1.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 72%. Thomas Wilder averages 18.2 points per game while playing 30.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.3 rebounds per game and has 4.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is at 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Cardinals allow 73.9 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 217th in the nation. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 177th and 281st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.1 rebounds a game which ranks 178th, and they give up 14.3 assists per contest, which puts them in 244th place in the country. They force 12.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 70th in college basketball. Ball State averages 76.8 points per contest this season, which ranks them 127th in Division 1. Their average scoring margin is 2.9 and their shooting percentage is 46% as a team, which has them ranked 137th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 239th in D-1. They average 36.9 rebounds per game and 15.1 assists per game, which ranks them 137th and 102nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 188th with 13.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Broncos surrender 71.8 points per contest, which ranks them 165th in the country. Their defense allows a 43% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 149th and 275th in those defensive statistics. They rank 141st with 12.9 assists allowed per contest, and 179th with 35.1 rebounds surrendered per game. The Broncos are 237th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 14.4 per game this season. Western Michigan is 159th in Division 1 with 75.3 points per game this year. They are 217th in the country in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is 3.6. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 134th in the nation. They are 139th in college basketball in rebounding with 36.9 boards per game and 214th in assists per contest with 13.4. The Broncos are 310th in turnovers per game with 11.7.

Advanced Statistics

The Cardinals are 215th in the country in defensive rating with 102.8, and their offensive rating of 106.8 is ranked 137th. They are 107th in college basketball in pace with 72 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 124th. As a unit they are 107th in the nation in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shot attempts, ranking 87th in D-1. Ball State is 177th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 15 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 182nd in the country.

Advanced Statistics

Western Michigan is 313th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 17.9 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 51%, which is 237th in the nation. The Broncos are 129th in the country in offensive rating with 107.2, and their defensive rating of 102.1 is ranked 198th. In terms of pace they are 206th in Division 1 with 70.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 51% is 218th. As a team they are 221st in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 54% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 205th in the nation.

Who will win tonight's Ball State/Western Michigan college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Western Michigan +1

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