Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Prediction, 1/1/2022 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs

Date: Saturday, January 1, 2022

Location: Thomas Assembly Center in Ruston, LA

TV: CBSSN

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (8-5) are on their way to Thomas Assembly Center on Saturday where they will take on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (9-3).

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers played Kentucky and ended up losing by a score of 95-60 in their last game. Western Kentucky ended the contest with a 32.8% FG percentage (21 of 64) and made 3 of their 20 shots from 3-point land. From the charity stripe, the Hilltoppers converted 15 of their 19 tries for a rate of 78.9%. Regarding grabbing rebounds, they compiled 25 with 9 of them being on the offensive end. They also recorded 5 dimes for this game while creating 16 turnovers and earning 12 steals. With respect to the defense, Western Kentucky allowed 55.9% from the field on 38 out of 68 shooting. Kentucky dished out 27 dimes and had 5 steals for the contest. Additionally, Kentucky grabbed 46 rebounds (14 offensive, 32 defensive), but wasn't able to record a rejection. Kentucky ended up shooting 76.9% from the free throw line by making 10 of 13 tries. They converted 9 of their 20 attempts from 3-point range. Regarding fouls, the Hilltoppers walked away with 15 while Kentucky totaled 17 fouls.

Josh Anderson is a guy who was a contributor in this contest. He went 54.5% from the field and also recorded 1 assist. He saw the court for 31 minutes played and grabbed 1 rebound. He recorded 18 points on 6 out of 11 shooting.

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Western Kentucky heads into this contest with a mark of 8-5 this year. They average 77.2 points per game (79th in Division 1) while going 47.0% from the floor. The Hilltoppers are connecting on 32.1% on shots from 3-point land (93 of 290) and 70.9% from the charity stripe. As a unit, Western Kentucky is pulling in 37.5 rebounds per game and has accumulated 204 assists for the season, which is 42nd in college basketball in terms of passing the rock. They are turning it over 14.1 times per contest and as a unit they are committing 12.2 fouls every game.

On the defensive end, the Hilltoppers are forcing 16.5 turnovers per contest and they draw 17.2 fouls. They are currently ranked 318th in the nation in giving up assists with 189 conceded this year. The Hilltoppers are allowing a field goal percentage of 39.6% (334 of 843) and they surrender 38.0 boards per game as a basketball team. They give up 32.0% on shots from distance and they are 174th in the nation in opponents PPG (67.9).

When they last stepped on the court, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs walked away with a victory by a final of 99-56 when they played Crowley's Ridge. Concerning how they rebounded, Louisiana Tech allowed Crowley's Ridge to grab 23 overall (5 on the offensive glass). They wrapped up this game 33.3% from beyond the perimeter by shooting 10 out of 30 and finished the game at 6 out of 7 from the free throw line (85.7%). The Bulldogs allowed Crowley's Ridge to make 20 of their 63 attempts from the field which gave them a rate of 31.7% in this matchup. Overall, the Bulldogs ended up going 40 out of 70 from the floor which gave them a percentage of 57.1%. Concerning three-point attempts, Louisiana Tech made 6 of 27 tries (22.2%). They were able to make 13 of the free throw attempts for a clip of 76.5%. Crowley's Ridge had 16 personal fouls in the game which got the Bulldogs to the free throw line for a total of 17 tries. They gave up possession 5 times, while earning 7 steals for this contest. The Bulldogs were able to snag 31 defensive boards and 13 offensive boards for a total of 44 in the game.

Amorie Archibald ended up being a factor for the Bulldogs for the matchup. He buried 7 of 12 for the contest for a rate of 58.3%, and tallied 4 rebounds. He earned 20 points in his 20 minutes on the court and had 1 assist in the matchup.

Louisiana Tech has a record of 9-3 on the year. The Bulldogs have committed 14.8 personal fouls every game and they shoot 73.9% from the charity stripe. They are dishing out assists 15.8 times per game (58th in D-1) and they are turning it over 11.6 times per game. Louisiana Tech has accounted for 968 points so far this season (80.7 per contest) and they pull in 37.5 boards per game. When it comes to offense, the Bulldogs are connecting on 47.1% from the floor, which has them ranked 63rd in the nation.

The Louisiana Tech defense concedes 32.1% on shots from distance (92 of 287) and opponents are making 73.4% of their shots from the free throw line. They have conceded 13.8 assists and 35.5 boards per contest, which is 257th and 217th in those defensive categories. The Bulldogs defensively are ranked 229th in college basketball in PPG given up with 70.5. They have forced 14.2 TO's per game and have allowed teams to shoot 42.0% from the field (163rd in the country).

Who will win tonight's NCAA basketball game against the spread?

Tony Sink's Pick: Take Western Kentucky

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