The Sacred Heart Pioneers (12-16, 8-7 NEC) will be at William H. Detrick Gymnasium to clash with the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils (11-17, 5-10 NEC) in a NEC matchup. Action starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 23, 2019.
Sacred Heart Pioneers at Central Connecticut State Blue Devils ATS Odds
Both teams fell in their last matchup. The Blue Devils lost to the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers, 79-66, while the Pioneers were blown out by the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights, 81-63.
Sacred Heart had an offensive rebounding percentage of 36.4 (above their season average of 31.3) while Central Connecticut State held Mount St. Mary’s to an offensive rebounding percentage of 23.5 (below the 30.2 mark opponents have averaged against Central Connecticut State this season). Jamir Coleman played a key role for Central Connecticut State with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Meanwhile, Sacred Heart was led by E.J. Anosike, who finished with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, Anosike led the Pioneers to a 73-61 victory. He recorded a double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds. One of Sacred Heart’s largest strengths was getting to the charity stripe. They had 31 free throw attempts, while Central Connecticut State had 17.
The physical Central Connecticut State offense seems poised to dominate from the charity stripe. The Blue Devils currently rank 29th in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.284, while Sacred Heart is among the NCAA’s most foul-prone squads (giving up a 151st-ranked FTA rate of 0.222).
Sacred Heart Pioneers at Central Connecticut State Blue Devils Betting Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Central Connecticut State, ATS Winner – Central Connecticut State, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Sacred Heart ranks 65th in assists per game (14.8) while Central Connecticut State ranks 230th (11.6).
- The Pioneers average 21.2 three pointers per game, which ranks 194th in the nation. The Blue Devils rank 264th in three pointers allowed per game (25.9).
- The Pioneers average 38.3 rebounds per game, which ranks 45th in the nation. The Blue Devils rank 167th in rebounds allowed per game (35.2).
- Sacred Heart averages 4.1 blocks per game, which ranks 54th in the nation. Central Connecticut State ranks 142nd in blocks allowed per game (3.8).
Bettings Trends:
- The Pioneers have been outscored by an average of 4.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Sacred Heart has defeated opponents by an average of 0.4 points.
- During their last five games, the Blue Devils have scored an average of 72.8 points per game (0.4 above their season average) and allowed an average of 78.0 points per game (1.8 above their season average).
