Western Michigan at Ball State NCAA Basketball Picks Against the Spread 2/9/2019

Saturday, February 9, 2019

John E. Worthen Arena

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Western Michigan Broncos head to John E. Worthen Arena to take on the Ball State Cardinals on Saturday, February 9, 2019. The opening line for this game has Ball State as 14 point favorites.

Western Michigan heads into this matchup with a mark of 6-16. They currently have a point differential of -5.1 as they are averaging 71.2 points per contest while giving up 76.3 per game. Ball State has an overall mark of 12-11. They are averaging 79.2 points per contest and giving up 74.0, which is a point differential of 5.2.

Valuable Western Michigan Broncos Betting Trends

The Western Michigan Broncos are 8-11-2 against the spread this season

The Western Michigan Broncos are 13-8-0 against the over/under this year

Important Ball State Cardinals Betting Trends

The Ball State Cardinals are 11-11-0 against the spread this season

The Ball State Cardinals are 14-8-0 against the over/under this year

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

Key Ball State Cardinals Injuries

12/17/18 F Brachen Hazen Back is out indefinitely
02/05/19 F Zach Gunn Undisclosed is questionable
01/05/19 G Ishmael El-Amin Wrist is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Michael Flowers comes into this game averaging 16.5 points per contest while playing 30.5 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.3 rebounds per contest and distributes 3.3 assists per game. His FG percentage is 45% while his free throw percentage is 79%. Seth Dugan averages 15.7 points per contest in 32.0 minutes per game. He averages 1.7 assists per game and 8.8 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 55% for the season while his free throw percentage is 65%.

Player Spotlight

Tayler Persons scores 17.0 points per contest while playing 31.9 minutes per game. He hauls in 4.0 rebounds per contest and has 4.5 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 81%. Tahjai Teague averages 14.5 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 28.7 minutes per game. He also brings in 8.0 rebounds per game and has 1.2 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 59% and his free throw percentage is 68%.

Useful Team Statistics

Western Michigan averages 71.2 points per contest, which is 230th in D-1. Their average scoring margin is -5.1 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a unit, which has them ranked 253rd. From 3-point territory they shoot 33%, which is good for 246th in the nation. They average 37.2 boards per contest and 11.9 assists per game, which ranks them 96th and 293rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 37th with 15.3 per game. The Broncos allow 76.3 points per contest, which is 286th in the NCAA. They also surrender a 44% shooting percentage and a 37% average from 3-point range, ranking them 178th and 298th in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 35.2 rebounds a game which ranks 195th, and they allow 14.5 assists per game which puts them in 276th place in the country. They force 10.4 turnovers per game which ranks them 10th in Division 1.

Useful Team Statistics

Ball State is 48th in the nation with 79.2 points per contest this season. They are 28th in the country in shooting at 48%, while their average scoring margin is 5.2. They shoot 35% from beyond the arc, which is good for 148th in the NCAA. They are 55th in D-1 in rebounding with 38.2 boards per contest and 205th in assists per game with 13.3. The Cardinals are 96th in turnovers per contest with 14.1. The Cardinals give up 74.0 points per game, which ranks them 243rd in Division 1. Their defense surrenders a 42% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 86th and 105th in those defensive statistics. They rank 142nd with 12.7 dimes allowed per game and 170th with 34.7 boards surrendered per contest. The Cardinals are 110th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 12.6 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Broncos are 258th in the nation in offensive rating with 100.4. In terms of pace they are 160th in the country with 70.1 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 249th. As a team they are 229th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 41% of their shots, ranking 121st in Division 1. Western Michigan is 42nd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 18.7 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Ball State is 117th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17 times per 100 possessions. The Cardinals have an offensive rating of 107.7, which is ranked 93rd. They are 79th in D-1 in pace with 72 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 54% is 62nd. As a unit they are 45th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 308th in the country.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Western Michigan +14

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