Ball State at Western Michigan College Basketball Game Picks 3/2/2019

Saturday, March 2, 2019

University Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Ball State Cardinals head to University Arena to take on the Western Michigan Broncos on Saturday, March 2, 2019. The opening line for this game has Ball State as 5 point favorites.

Ball State comes into this game with an overall record of 14-14. They currently have a point differential of 4.4 as they are averaging 76.9 points per game while giving up 72.5 per contest. Western Michigan has an overall record of 8-20. They are averaging 71.0 points per game and surrendering 76.4, good for a point differential of -5.4.

Valuable Ball State Cardinals Betting Trends

The Ball State Cardinals are 12-15-0 against the spread this season

The Ball State Cardinals are 15-12-0 against the over/under this year

Important Western Michigan Broncos Betting Trends

The Western Michigan Broncos are 12-13-2 against the spread this season

The Western Michigan Broncos are 16-11-0 against the over/under this year

Key Ball State Cardinals Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Western Michigan Broncos Injuries

11/20/18 G Bryce Moore Knee is out for season
11/09/18 G Jason Whitens Knee is out for season

Player Spotlight

Tayler Persons comes into this game averaging 16.8 points per contest while playing 31.7 minutes per night this year. He grabs 3.9 rebounds per contest and distributes 4.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 56% while his free throw percentage is 80%. K.J. Walton averages 13.6 points per contest in 27.0 minutes per game. He averages 1.1 assists per game and 4.2 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 52% for the season while his free throw percentage is 71%.

Player Spotlight

Seth Dugan scores 15.8 points per contest while playing 33.0 minutes per game. He hauls in 9.1 rebounds per contest and has 1.6 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 56% and his free throw percentage is at 66%. Michael Flowers averages 15.8 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 31.5 minutes per game. He also brings in 3.9 rebounds per game and has 3.4 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 40% and his free throw percentage is 77%.

Useful Team Statistics

Ball State averages 76.9 points per contest, which is 75th in D-1. Their average scoring margin is 4.4 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a unit, which has them ranked 44th. From 3-point territory they shoot 34%, which is good for 197th in the nation. They average 37.8 boards per contest and 13.0 assists per game, which ranks them 65th and 219th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 63rd with 14.5 per game. The Cardinals allow 72.5 points per contest, which is 207th in the NCAA. They also surrender a 41% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 61st and 63rd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 35.2 rebounds a game which ranks 198th, and they allow 12.1 assists per game which puts them in 97th place in the country. They force 13.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 168th in Division 1.

Useful Team Statistics

Western Michigan is 228th in the nation with 71.0 points per contest this season. They are 249th in the country in shooting at 43%, while their average scoring margin is -5.4. They shoot 33% from beyond the arc, which is good for 276th in the NCAA. They are 107th in D-1 in rebounding with 36.8 boards per contest and 302nd in assists per game with 11.6. The Broncos are 31st in turnovers per contest with 15.3. The Broncos give up 76.4 points per game, which ranks them 289th in Division 1. Their defense surrenders a 44% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 218th and 311th in those defensive statistics. They rank 264th with 14.1 dimes allowed per game and 206th with 35.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Broncos are 21st in the nation in forcing turnovers with 10.9 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Cardinals are 159th in the nation in offensive rating with 104.5. In terms of pace they are 55th in the country with 72.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 96th. As a team they are 76th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shots, ranking 310th in Division 1. Ball State is 71st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.5 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Western Michigan is 36th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 18.7 times per 100 possessions. The Broncos have an offensive rating of 99.8, which is ranked 272nd. They are 147th in D-1 in pace with 69.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 50% is 249th. As a unit they are 228th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shot attempts, ranking 129th in the country.

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

Josh's Pick: Take Ball State -5

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 Josh Schonwald