Central Michigan at Ball State College Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/16/2018

Tuesday, January 16, 2018

Worthen Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Central Michigan Chippewas travel to Worthen Arena to play the Ball State Cardinals on Tuesday, January 16, 2018. The opening line for this game has Ball State as 6.5 point favorites.

Central Michigan heads into this matchup with a mark of 11-5. They currently have a point differential of 10.2 as they are averaging 78.2 points per contest while giving up 68.1 per game. Ball State has an overall record of 11-6. They are averaging 75.7 points per game and surrendering 73.9, good for a point differential of 1.8.

Valuable Central Michigan Chippewas Betting Trends

The Central Michigan Chippewas are 8-4 against the spread this season

The Central Michigan Chippewas are 5-7 against the over/under this year

Important Ball State Cardinals Betting Trends

The Ball State Cardinals are 6-5 against the spread this season

The Ball State Cardinals are 4-7 against the over/under this year

Key Central Michigan Chippewas Injuries

No key injuries to report

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

Player Spotlight

Shawn Roundtree averages 14.5 points per game in 30.8 minutes per contest this season. He averages 3.6 assists per contest and 2.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 41% for the year while his free throw percentage is 87%. Cecil Williams averages 14.9 points per game while playing 29 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.7 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 51% while his free throw percentage is at 75%.

Player Spotlight

Kyle Mallers averages 10.9 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 27.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 5.2 rebounds per contest and 1.2 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 86%. Tayler Persons averages 14.3 points per game while playing 27.9 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 3.4 rebounds per game and has 4.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 51% and his free throw percentage is at 80%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Chippewas allow 68.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 80th in the nation. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 63rd and 94th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 33.8 rebounds a game which ranks 116th, and they give up 12.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 90th place in the country. They force 13.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 202nd in college basketball. Central Michigan averages 78.2 points per contest this season, which ranks them 92nd in Division 1. Their average scoring margin is 10.2 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 199th. Behind the arc they shoot 34% which is good for 232nd in D-1. They average 37.5 rebounds per game and 13.4 assists per game, which ranks them 111th and 205th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 261st with 12.4 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Cardinals surrender 73.9 points per contest, which ranks them 219th in the country. Their defense allows a 43% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 163rd and 305th in those defensive statistics. They rank 239th with 14.2 assists allowed per contest, and 199th with 35.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cardinals are 58th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 12.0 per game this season. Ball State is 144th in Division 1 with 75.7 points per game this year. They are 144th in the country in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is 1.8. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 240th in the nation. They are 140th in college basketball in rebounding with 36.8 boards per game and 118th in assists per contest with 14.8. The Cardinals are 170th in turnovers per game with 13.4.

Advanced Statistics

The Chippewas are 64th in the nation in offensive rating with 111.4, and their defensive rating of 96.9 is ranked 80th. In terms of pace they are 219th in the country with 69.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 142nd. As a team they are 83rd in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 48% of their shots, ranking 14th in Division 1. Central Michigan is 255th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.3 times per 100 possessions while forcing 17.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 48%, which is 81st in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

Ball State is 157th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 14.7 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 50%, which is 167th in the nation. The Cardinals are 151st in the country in offensive rating with 105.7, and their defensive rating of 103.1 is ranked 217th. In terms of pace they are 117th in Division 1 with 71.6 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 129th. As a team they are 119th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 42% of their shots, ranking 77th in the nation.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Ball State -6.5

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