Evansville Purple Aces vs Valparaiso Beacons Prediction, 1/25/2025 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Evansville Purple Aces vs Valparaiso Beacons

Date: Saturday, January 25, 2025

Location: Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso, IN

TV: ESPN+

The Evansville Purple Aces (6-13) are hitting the road to Athletics-Recreation Center on Saturday where they will try to defeat the Valparaiso Beacons (10-9).

The Evansville Purple Aces took the court against Belmont and took a loss by a score of 85-82 in their last contest. Evansville wrapped up the contest with a 48.4% FG percentage (30 out of 62) and buried 12 of 28 shots from beyond the arc. When they shot from the free throw line, the Purple Aces knocked down 10 of their 14 shots for a percentage of 71.4%. In relation to grabbing rebounds, they compiled 30 with 9 of them being on the offensive end. They also distributed 23 assists for this contest as well as creating 10 turnovers and getting 7 steals. Pertaining to the defense, Evansville allowed 48.3% from the floor on 29 of 60 shooting. Belmont dished out 19 assists and had 6 steals for this contest. Additionally, Belmont pulled down 29 rebounds (8 offensive, 21 defensive), but didn't have a block. Belmont finished the game at 88.9% from the free throw line by converting 16 of their 18 shots. They also converted 11 out of their 26 attempts from beyond the arc. When it comes to personal fouls, the Purple Aces left the arena with 15 and Belmont finished the game with 12 personal fouls.

Cameron Haffner is someone who was a factor for the game. He accounted for 25 points on 9 of 15 shooting. He played 33 mins played and totaled 1 board. He ended up shooting 60.0% from the floor but had no assists when the time ran out.

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Evansville comes into this matchup with a record of 6-13 on the year. They are averaging 64.3 points per outing (353rd in D-1) while hitting 42.0% from the field. The Purple Aces are shooting 29.5% on three-point shots (138 of 468) and 67.2% from the free throw line. As a unit, Evansville is grabbing 32.2 boards per game and has accumulated 244 dimes this year, which ranks 240th in college in terms of passing the rock. They lose possession via turnover 12.1 times per game and as a squad are committing 16.8 personal fouls per contest.

On the defensive end, the Purple Aces are able to force 11.9 turnovers on a nightly basis while drawing 14.7 personal fouls. They currently rank 97th in D-1 in giving up assists to the opposition with 223 conceded so far this season. The Purple Aces defense is giving up an opponent FG percentage of 42.1% (450 of 1,069) and they surrender 37.5 boards per game as a group. They give up 31.8% from 3-point land and they are ranked 120th in college in points per game allowed (69.6).

When they last stepped on the court, the Valparaiso Beacons took a loss by a final score of 81-74 when they played UIC. The Beacons were able to pull down 20 defensive boards and 9 offensive rebounds totaling 29 for the matchup. They also gave up possession of the ball 9 times, while getting 4 steals for the contest. UIC earned 20 fouls in this game which got the Beacons to the free throw line for 24 tries. They were able to convert 16 of them for a rate of 66.7%. In regard to shooting from beyond the arc, Valparaiso knocked down 6 out of 20 tries (30.0%). When all was said and done, the Beacons shot 26 for 59 from the field which gave them a rate of 44.1%. The Beacons permitted UIC to knock down 26 of 59 attempts from the floor which left them with a shooting percentage of 44.1% in the game. They finished shooting 31.6% from beyond the arc via 6 out of 19 and finished the game at 23 of 32 at the free throw line (71.9%). In regard to cleaning up the glass, Valparaiso allowed UIC to snag 40 in total (13 offensive).

All Wright was important for the Beacons in this matchup. He buried 7 of 12 for the contest giving him a rate of 58.3%, and accounted for 3 rebounds. He scored 18 points in his 32 minutes of playing time and tallied 5 assists for this contest.

Valparaiso has a win-loss record of 10-9 so far this season. The Beacons have committed 17.4 fouls per game and they shoot 78.6% from the charity stripe. Their rate of assisting teammates is at 12.2 times per game (290th in college) and they are turning it over 10.6 times per contest. Valparaiso has accumulated 1,476 pts for the year (77.7 per contest) and they pull in 37.0 rebounds per game. As an offensive team, the Beacons are connecting on 43.3% from the floor, which is 268th in D-1.

The Valparaiso defense gives up 30.9% on 3-point shots (125 of 405) and their opposition knocks down 68.3% of their free throw shots. They have conceded 12.0 assists and 35.4 boards on a nightly basis, which is 94th and 241st in college hoops. The Beacons on the defensive end are ranked 238th in college in PPG allowed with 73.2. They are forcing 12.1 turnovers per game and have let teams shoot 44.6% from the floor (253rd in D-1).

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

Josh Schonwald's Pick: Take Evansville

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