Ball State Cardinals vs Western Michigan Broncos Predictions, College Basketball Picks Tonight 2/8/2020

Game: Ball State Cardinals vs Western Michigan Broncos

Date: Saturday, February 8, 2020

Location: University Arena in Kalamazoo, MI

TV: TBA

Odds/Point Spread: Western Michigan +5

Total/Over-Under: 133

The Ball State Cardinals travel to University Arena to play the Western Michigan Broncos on Saturday, February 8, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Ball State as 5 point favorites.

Ball State comes into this game with an overall record of 13-9. They currently have a point differential of 8.4 as they are averaging 70.0 points per game while giving up 61.6 per contest. Western Michigan has an overall record of 10-12. They are averaging 71.4 points per game and surrendering 73.0, good for a point differential of -1.6.

Valuable Ball State Cardinals Betting Trends

The Ball State Cardinals are 12-9-0 against the spread

The Ball State Cardinals are 6-14-1 against the over/under

Important Western Michigan Broncos Betting Trends

The Western Michigan Broncos are 9-9-2 against the spread

The Western Michigan Broncos are 10-10-0 against the over/under

Key Ball State Cardinals Injuries

11/17/19 F Zach Gunn Ankle is out for season

Key Western Michigan Broncos Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Tahjai Teague comes into this contest averaging 15.2 points per game while playing 29.4 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 9.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 42% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 58%. Ishmael El-Amin averages 13.6 points per game in 31.2 minutes per contest this season. He averages 2.5 assists per contest and 3.4 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 44% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%.

Player Spotlight

Michael Flowers averages 17.8 points per game while playing 32.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 2.8 rebounds per game and has 3.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 42% and his free throw percentage is at 86%. Brandon Johnson averages 14.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 30.8 minutes per contest. He also averages 8.0 rebounds per contest and 1.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is 70%.

Useful Team Statistics

Ball State averages 70.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 219th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 8.4 and their shooting percentage is 43% as a team, which has them ranked 244th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 199th in the nation. They average 36.2 rebounds per game and 13.8 assists per game, which ranks them 136th and 121st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 224th with 12.8 per game. The Cardinals allow 61.6 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 23rd in the country. They also allow a 40% shooting percentage and a 31% average from behind the arc, ranking them 52nd and 84th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.8 rebounds a game which ranks 164th and they give up 10.1 assists per contest, which puts them in 27th place in Division 1. They force 14.5 turnovers per game which ranks them 254th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Western Michigan is 171st in the country with 71.4 points per game this year. They are 253rd in Division 1 in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is -1.6. They shoot 32% from 3-point range, which is good for 232nd in the nation. They are 229th in the NCAA in rebounding with 34.7 boards per game, and 297th in assists per contest with 11.4. The Broncos are 286th in turnovers per game with 12.0. The Broncos surrender 73.0 points per contest, which ranks them 271st in D-1. Their defense allows a 44% shooting percentage and a 32% average from 3-point range, ranking them 216th and 129th in those defensive statistics. They rank 171st with 12.5 assists allowed per contest and 309th with 38.2 rebounds surrendered per game. The Broncos are 27th in country in forcing turnovers with 11.6 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Cardinals are 206th in the nation in offensive rating with 100.2. In terms of pace they are 158th in the country with 69.9 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 156th. As a team they are 199th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 47% of their shots, ranking 19th in Division 1. Ball State is 205th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.2 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Western Michigan is 278th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.2 times per 100 possessions. The Broncos have an offensive rating of 101.2, which is ranked 182nd. They are 190th in D-1 in pace with 69.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 245th. As a unit they are 191st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 39% of their shot attempts, ranking 138th in the country.

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

Tony's Pick: Take Western Michigan +5

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