The Central Connecticut State Blue Devils (6-8, 0-1 NEC) will be at the William Pitt Center – West Gym to square off against the Sacred Heart Pioneers (5-9, 1-0 NEC) in a NEC matchup. The game starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 5, 2019.
Central Connecticut State Blue Devils vs. Sacred Heart Pioneers Betting Odds
In their last game, the Pioneers fell to the Holy Cross Crusaders, 93-81, while the Blue Devils beat the Hartford Hawks, 75-68.
Central Connecticut State played a nearly flawless game. They had a free throw rate of 0.246 and a turnover percentage of 16.7. For those same stats, Hartford was 0.193 and 20.8, respectively. Sacred Heart, on the other hand, had a better free throw rate (0.261 vs. 0.190). Sacred Heart’s Koreem Ozier had a good outing, putting up 23 points. Tyler Kohl, meanwhile played a pivotal role for Central Connecticut State with 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
The Pioneers dominated this series last year, taking both contests. In the most recent game, Sacred Heart won 67-50. Sacred Heart launched 19 three pointers, making eight of them (42.1 percent), while Central Connecticut State was just 2-21 (9.5 percent). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
The Blue Devils’ Kohl has been playing at a high level over his last five games, averaging 0 points per game. Meanwhile, Sean Hoehn has averaged 0 points during that same time frame for the Pioneers.
It will be a battle of contrasting styles as the fast-breaking Pioneers (ranked 23rd in the country in possessions per game) will look to push the slower-paced Blue Devils (171st in possessions per game).
Central Connecticut State at Sacred Heart Odds Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Sacred Heart, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Sacred Heart ranks 43rd in rebounds per game (39.5) while Central Connecticut State ranks 205th (34.1).
- The Pioneers rank 175th in three pointers attempted per game (21.4) while the Blue Devils rank 213th in three pointers allowed per game (25.3).
- Central Connecticut State ranks 129th in steals per game (6.0) while Sacred Heart ranks 148th in steals allowed per game (7.4).
- The Pioneers rank 53rd in assists per game (15.7) while the Blue Devils rank 200th in assists allowed per game (15.4).
- Sacred Heart averages 3.6 blocks per game, which ranks 77th in the NCAA. Central Connecticut State ranks 116th in blocks allowed per game (3.9).
Bettings Trends:
- The Blue Devils have outscored opponents by an average of 4.8 points in their last five games. On the season, Central Connecticut State has lost by an average of 4.1 points.
- During their last five games, the Pioneers have scored an average of 88.2 points per game (6.1 above their season average) and allowed an average of 83.8 points per game (0.5 below their season average).
