The Valparaiso Crusaders (6-0) and the UNCW Seahawks (2-2) battle at Savannah Civic Center. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 25, 2017.
UNCW Seahawks vs. Valparaiso Crusaders Betting Preview
In the Seahawks last matchup, they lost big to the Loyola Chicago Ramblers, 102-78. UNCW’s Jordon Talley put together a solid performance, leading the team in scoring with 20 points on 6-for-12 shooting. Loyola Chicago did an excellent job of converting from the charity stripe (20-26; 76.9 percent). UNCW, on the other hand, held the Ramblers to an offensive rebounding percentage of 19.2 (below their season average of 27.3).
The Crusaders come in on a high note after topping the Kent State Golden Flashes in their last outing, 77-67. Valparaiso’s Marten Linssen played a key role with 12 points and seven rebounds. Valparaiso played a perfect game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.415 (above their season average of 0.343) and a turnover percentage of 19.7 (worse than their season average of 16.3). Kent State was 0.296 and 23.9, respectively, for those same stats.
The physical Valparaiso offense seems poised to dominate from the charity stripe. Since the 2016-17 season, the Crusaders rank 27th in the nation with a free throw attempt (FTA) rate of 0.299, while UNCW has been among the NCAA’s most foul-prone squads (giving up a 272nd-ranked FTA rate of 0.275). Furthermore, the fifth-ranked offense of the Seahawks (offensive efficiency of 118.9) will go head-to-head against the 21st-ranked defense of the Crusaders (defensive efficiency of 95.5).
The Seahawks are 31-7 straight up (SU) and 15-16-1 against the spread (ATS) since last season. Games involving UNCW have gone over the projected point total 56.3 percent of the time since last season.
The Crusaders, on the other hand, are 30-8 SU and 16-15-1 ATS since last season. Valparaiso’s games have had no tendency in regards to the O/U total over that same stretch as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
UNCW Seahawks vs. Valparaiso Crusaders ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Valparaiso, ATS Winner – Valparaiso, O/U – Under
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Seahawks rank 27th in steals allowed per game (5.1) while the Crusaders rank 83rd (5.7).
- UNCW allows the 35th-fewest blocks per game (2.7) while Valparaiso ranks 48th (2.8).
- UNCW ranks 14th in three pointers allowed per game (17.3) while Valparaiso ranks 225th (22.5).
- The Seahawks rank 23rd in assists per game (16.5) while the Crusaders rank 172nd (13.3).
- Valparaiso ranks 49th in rebounds per game (38.4) while UNCW ranks 124th (36.6).
