Eastern Michigan at Ball State College Basketball Picks & Predictions 1/8/2019

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

John E. Worthen Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Eastern Michigan Eagles travel to John E. Worthen Arena to play the Ball State Cardinals on Tuesday, January 8, 2019. The opening line for this matchup has Ball State as 11 point favorites.

Eastern Michigan comes into this game with an overall record of 6-8. They currently have a point differential of -1.4 as they are averaging 69.7 points per game while giving up 71.1 per contest. Ball State has an overall record of 10-4. They are averaging 84.1 points per game and surrendering 72.2, good for a point differential of 11.9.

Valuable Eastern Michigan Eagles Betting Trends

The Eastern Michigan Eagles are 1-9-0 against the spread

The Eastern Michigan Eagles are 5-5-0 against the over/under

Important Ball State Cardinals Betting Trends

The Ball State Cardinals are 9-4-0 against the spread

The Ball State Cardinals are 10-3-0 against the over/under

Key Eastern Michigan Eagles Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Ball State Cardinals Injuries

12/17/18 F Brachen Hazen Back is out indefinitely
01/05/19 G Ishmael El-Amin Wrist is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Elijah Minnie averages 12.4 points per game in 27.5 minutes per contest. He averages 1.3 assists per contest and 4.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 38% for the year while his free throw percentage is 89%. Paul Jackson comes into this contest averaging 12.8 points per game while playing 30.5 minutes per night. He pulls down 2.0 rebounds per game and dishes out 3.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is at 71%.

Player Spotlight

Tahjai Teague averages 14.9 points per game and he sees the court an average of 27.1 minutes per contest. He also averages 7.5 rebounds per contest and 1.3 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 65% and his free throw percentage is 68%. Tayler Persons averages 17.1 points per game while playing 30.1 minutes per contest. He grabs 3.9 rebounds per game and has 5.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 49% and his free throw percentage is at 85%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Eagles allow 71.1 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 179th in Division 1. They also allow a 44% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 234th and 242nd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.3 rebounds a game which ranks 191st, and they give up 17.8 assists per contest which puts them in 346th place in the NCAA. They force 14.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 215th in the nation. Eastern Michigan averages 69.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 285th in the country. Their average scoring margin is -1.4 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a team, which has them ranked 220th. Behind the arc they shoot 26% which is good for 347th in D-1. They average 38.8 rebounds per game and 12.7 assists per contest, which ranks them 68th and 248th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 111th with 14.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Cardinals surrender 72.2 points per contest, which ranks them 205th in the NCAA. Their defense allows a 41% shooting percentage and a 31% average from 3-point range, ranking them 78th and 66th in those defensive statistics. They rank 148th with 12.7 assists allowed per contest, and 99th with 33.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cardinals are 68th in Division 1 in forcing turnovers with 12.2 per game. Ball State is 21st in the country with 84.1 points per game this year. They are 8th in the D-1 in shooting at 51%, while their average scoring margin is 11.9. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 44th in the nation. They are 77th in the country in rebounding with 38.5 boards per game and 90th in assists per contest with 15.1. The Cardinals are 210th in turnovers per game with 13.0.

Advanced Statistics

The Eagles are 246th in the nation in offensive rating with 100.7. In terms of pace they are 246th in the country with 69.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 279th. As a team they are 316th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 50% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shots, ranking 268th in Division 1. Eastern Michigan is 122nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.1 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Ball State is 222nd in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.8 times per 100 possessions. The Cardinals have an offensive rating of 114.9, which is ranked 22nd. They are 94th in D-1 in pace with 72.5 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 58% is 12th. As a unit they are 10th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 61% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shot attempts, ranking 273rd in the country.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Ball State -11

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