Connecticut vs East Carolina Predictions, College Basketball Picks, Odds 2/29/2020

Game: Connecticut Huskies vs East Carolina Pirates

Date: Saturday, February 29, 2020

Location: Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum in Greenville, NC

TV: ESPN2, ESPNU

Odds/Point Spread: East Carolina +5.5

Total/Over-Under: 137

The Connecticut Huskies travel to Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum to play the East Carolina Pirates on Saturday, February 29, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Connecticut as 5.5 point favorites.

Connecticut comes into this game with an overall record of 16-12. They currently have a point differential of 5.3 as they are averaging 72.0 points per game while giving up 66.7 per contest. East Carolina has an overall mark of 11-18. They are averaging 68.5 points per contest and giving up 71.0, which is a point differential of -2.6.

Valuable Connecticut Huskies Betting Trends

The Connecticut Huskies are 17-11-0 against the spread

The Connecticut Huskies are 14-14-0 against the over/under

Important East Carolina Pirates Betting Trends

The East Carolina Pirates are 15-14-0 against the spread

The East Carolina Pirates are 14-15-0 against the over/under

Key Connecticut Huskies Injuries

02/16/20 F Akok Akok Achilles is out for season
01/12/20 F Tyler Polley ACL is out for season

Key East Carolina Pirates Injuries

02/26/20 G Tyrie Jackson Undisclosed is questionable
01/24/20 C Edra Luster Knee is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Christian Vital comes into this contest averaging 15.2 points per game while playing 32.0 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 6.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.8 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 53% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 90%. James Bouknight averages 12.8 points per game in 25.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.1 assists per contest and 3.7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 47% for the year while his free throw percentage is 80%.

Player Spotlight

Jayden Gardner averages 20.1 points per game while playing 34.4 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 9.4 rebounds per game and has 2.1 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 53% and his free throw percentage is at 73%. Tristen Newton averages 10.2 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 29.4 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.6 rebounds per contest and 3.6 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 37% and his free throw percentage is 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

Connecticut averages 72.0 points per contest this season, which ranks them 148th in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 5.3 and their shooting percentage is 42% as a team, which has them ranked 275th. Behind the arc they shoot 33% which is good for 201st in the nation. They average 37.9 rebounds per game and 12.9 assists per game, which ranks them 66th and 191st in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 64th with 14.4 per game. The Huskies allow 66.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 107th in the country. They also allow a 41% shooting percentage and a 33% average from behind the arc, ranking them 92nd and 197th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 35.4 rebounds a game which ranks 194th and they give up 11.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 114th place in Division 1. They force 15.9 turnovers per game which ranks them 318th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

East Carolina is 256th in the country with 68.5 points per game this year. They are 266th in Division 1 in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is -2.6. They shoot 28% from 3-point range, which is good for 344th in the nation. They are 154th in the NCAA in rebounding with 35.8 boards per game, and 122nd in assists per contest with 13.8. The Pirates are 134th in turnovers per game with 13.7. The Pirates surrender 71.0 points per contest, which ranks them 221st in D-1. Their defense allows a 42% shooting percentage and a 33% average from 3-point range, ranking them 156th and 179th in those defensive statistics. They rank 237th with 13.3 assists allowed per contest and 168th with 34.8 rebounds surrendered per game. The Pirates are 185th in country in forcing turnovers with 13.5 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Huskies are 193rd in the nation in offensive rating with 100.7. In terms of pace they are 204th in the country with 69 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 48% is 288th. As a team they are 261st in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 52% and they shoot 3-pointers on 36% of their shots, ranking 233rd in Division 1. Connecticut is 137th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

East Carolina is 138th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17 times per 100 possessions. The Pirates have an offensive rating of 95.9, which is ranked 297th. They are 105th in D-1 in pace with 70.8 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 47% is 312th. As a unit they are 286th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 51% and they shoot 3-pointers on 33% of their shot attempts, ranking 275th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Connecticut/East Carolina college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take East Carolina +5.5

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