SIU Edwardsville Cougars vs Ball State Cardinals Prediction, 12/10/2023 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: SIU Edwardsville Cougars vs Ball State Cardinals

Date: Sunday, December 10, 2023

Location: Worthen Arena in Muncie, IN

TV: ESPN+

Worthen Arena is the site where the Ball State Cardinals (7-2) will attempt to defeat the SIU Edwardsville Cougars (6-4) on Sunday.

The SIU Edwardsville Cougars faced off with Green Bay and earned the victory with a final of 78-69 in their last game. SIU Edwardsville finished having earned a 43.1% field goal percentage (22 of 51) and made 6 of 19 shots from beyond the perimeter. From the free throw line, the Cougars knocked down 28 of 39 tries for a rate of 71.8%. When talking about grabbing rebounds, they compiled a total of 38 with 12 of them being offensive. They also distributed 11 assists in this contest while creating 14 turnovers and earning 10 steals. When discussing defense, SIU Edwardsville allowed the other team to go 47.3% from the floor on 26 of 55 shooting. Green Bay earned 14 dimes and had 4 steals in this contest. Additionally, Green Bay snagged 26 rebounds (7 offensive, 19 defensive), but wasn't able to record a rejection. Green Bay ended up shooting 57.1% from the free throw line by converting 8 of 14 shots. They converted 9 out of their 23 attempts from downtown. In regard to fouls, the Cougars ended up with 18 and Green Bay finished the game with 25 fouls.

Ray'Sean Taylor is a guy who was a major factor in this contest. He accounted for 23 points on 6 out of 12 shooting. He played for 32 minutes and pulled down 2 rebounds. He shot 50.0% from the field and also totaled 3 assists.

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SIU Edwardsville comes into this game with a win-loss mark of 6-4 for the season. They currently have an average of 70.5 pts per contest (269th in D-1) while hitting 44.0% from the floor. The Cougars are connecting on 37.3% on shots from beyond the arc (72 of 193) and 71.1% from the charity stripe. As a team, SIU Edwardsville is pulling down 33.9 rebounds per game and has accumulated 116 assists for the campaign, which ranks 188th in D-1 in terms of passing. They turn it over 10.4 times per game and as a basketball team they commit 15.4 personal fouls every game.

Defensively, the Cougars are forcing 10.9 turnovers per contest while drawing 16.9 personal fouls. They are currently ranked 299th in D-1 in allowing assists to the opposition with 129 surrendered this year. The Cougars defense is giving up a FG percentage of 42.7% (240 of 562) and they surrender 33.7 rebounds per contest as a basketball team. They concede 35.7% on 3-pointers while they are 134th in college basketball in points per game from their opponents (69.0).

The last time they took the court, the Ball State Cardinals got the victory with a final of 68-65 when they played Detroit. The Cardinals were able to snag 30 defensive rebounds and 9 offensive boards totaling 39 for the matchup. They coughed up the ball 21 times, while recording 2 steals for the contest. Detroit earned 23 personal fouls for the game which got the Cardinals to the free throw line for a total of 29 shots. They were able to bury 24 of the free throw tries for a percentage of 82.8%. With regard to shooting from downtown, Ball State buried 6 of 20 attempts (30.0%). Overall, the Cardinals walked away from this one shooting 19 out of 44 from the floor which had them shooting 43.2%. The Cardinals permitted Detroit to convert 24 of 66 tries from the floor which had them sitting at 36.4% in the game. They finished 23.8% from beyond the arc by going 5 out of 21 and ended up shooting 12 of 16 at the free throw line (75.0%). With respect to attacking the glass, Ball State permitted Detroit to pull down 27 overall (10 on the offensive glass).

Basheer Jihad ended up being a major contributor for the Cardinals in the matchup. He tallied 26 points in his 32 minutes of playing time, but wrapped up this contest with no dimes. He buried 8 out of 14 in this game for a rate of 57.1%, and earned 10 rebounds.

Ball State has a win-loss record of 7-2 for the year. As an offense, the Cardinals are hitting on 46.8% from the floor, which ranks 91st in the nation. Ball State has accounted for 682 points on the year (75.8 per game) and they collect 36.6 rebounds per game. They are earning an assist 11.9 times per game (274th in college basketball) and they cough up possession 12.8 times per game. The Cardinals have committed 13.0 fouls per game and they hit 72.1% from the charity stripe.

The Cardinals on defense are ranked 48th in college hoops in PPG allowed with 64.2. They are able to force 14.3 turnovers per game and allow teams to shoot 43.7% from the floor (232nd in Division 1). The Ball State defense allows 31.2% on shots from distance (54 of 173) and their opponents are converting on 69.6% of their free throw attempts. They have given up 11.6 dimes and 30.1 rebounds on a nightly basis, which ranks 113th and 21st in those categories.

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

Tony Sink's Pick: Take SIU Edwardsville

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