The Brown Bears (4-3) will be at home in Paul Bailey Pizzitola Sports Center when they clash with the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils (4-3). Action gets underway at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 2, 2017.
Central Connecticut State Blue Devils vs. Brown Bears Free Preview
In the Blue Devils last contest, they defeated the North Carolina A&T Aggies, 72-59. Joe Hugley was the games leading scorer with 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting. Central Connecticut State played a nearly flawless game. They had a phenomenal free throw rate of 0.367 (above their season average of 0.213) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.551 (above their season average of 0.544). North Carolina A&T had marks of 0.250 and 0.402, respectively, for those same stats.
The Bears are hoping for a better outcome after their 86-62 loss to the Rhode Island Rams in their last contest. Brandon Anderson was Brown’s high scorer with 17 points on 5-for-14 shooting. Rhode Island had an effective field goal percentage of 0.669 (above their season average of 0.534). Brown, meanwhile, did a fantastic job of getting to and converting from the free throw line (19-25; 76.0 percent).
It will be a battle of conflicting tempos as the up-and-down Bears will look to push the slower-paced Blue Devils. Dating back to last season, the Bears rank 73rd in possessions per game while the Blue Devils are 305th. Ball security could be troublesome for the Blue Devils. They rank 325th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 21.4 percent), while the Bears have forced the 34th-most turnovers in the NCAA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 21.7 percent).
The Bears won the lone game against the Blue Devils last season, 75-58. The Bears dominated every facet of the game. They had an extraordinary free throw rate of 0.352 and a ridiculous offensive rebounding percentage of 41.9. The Blue Devils were 0.151 and 29.4, respectively, for those same stats.
Central Connecticut State Blue Devils vs. Brown Bears ATS Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Central Connecticut State, ATS Winner – Central Connecticut State, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Bears rank 184th in assists per game (13.3) while the Blue Devils rank 245th (12.2).
- Central Connecticut State ranks 267th in rebounds per game (33.7) while Brown ranks 290th (32.9).
- Brown ranks 114th in three pointers attempted per game (22.4) while Central Connecticut State ranks 328th (15.0).
- The Bears rank 52nd in steals per game (7.3) while the Blue Devils rank 154th in steals allowed per game (6.2).
- Central Connecticut State ranks 179th in blocks allowed per game (3.6) while Brown ranks 249th (4.4).
