The Florida Atlantic Owls (7-4), 2.5-point underdogs, will travel to Hawkins Arena to clash against the Mercer Bears (5-7). The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 139.5 points and it gets underway at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 22, 2019.
Florida Atlantic Owls vs. Mercer Bears Betting Odds
In their last contest, the Bears lost a winnable game to the Furman Paladins, 64-62, while the Owls won big over the Tampa Spartans, 84-35.
Florida Atlantic played a nearly perfect game. They had an offensive rebounding percentage of 20.0 (below their season average of 33.2) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.661 (above their season average of 0.492). Tampa put up marks of 6.1 and 0.284, respectively, for those same stats. Mercer, meanwhile, had a better free throw rate (0.074 vs. 0.067). Maciej Bender had a solid performance for Mercer, recording 19 points and 10 rebounds. Michael Forrest, meanwhile played a key role for Florida Atlantic with 15 points.
The Owls won the sole game between these two teams last season, 68-64. Florida Atlantic had a better effective field goal percentage (0.500 vs. 0.407). Mercer, on the other hand, did an excellent job of making free throws (20-23; 87.0 percent). This will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams.
Owls games have typically finished over the total (62.5 percent). Florida Atlantic has a respectable 7-4 straight up (SU) record, but they struggle covering the spread (2-6 against the spread (ATS)).
Unlike Florida Atlantic, games involving the Bears tend to finish under the projected point total (72.7 percent). Moreover, Mercer is 5-7 SU and 6-5 ATS.
Florida Atlantic at Mercer Odds Pick
Pick: SU Winner – Mercer, ATS Winner – Florida Atlantic, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- Florida Atlantic ranks 44th in three pointers attempted per game (23.8) while Mercer ranks 175th (20.6).
- The Bears average 37.2 rebounds per game, which ranks 93rd in the country. The Owls rank 136th in rebounds allowed per game (33.5).
- Mercer averages 6.4 steals per game, which ranks 126th in the NCAA. Florida Atlantic ranks 141st in steals allowed per game (6.3).
- The Owls rank 25th in blocks allowed per game (2.2) while the Bears rank 91st (3.3).
- Mercer averages 15.1 assists per game, which ranks 56th in the nation. Florida Atlantic ranks 101st in assists allowed per game (13.0).
- Florida Atlantic is 0-4 ATS on the road, while Mercer is 3-1 ATS at home.
- In 4 road games, the Owls have 2 overs and 2 unders.
- The Bears have 3 unders and 1 over in 4 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- The Bears are 2-3 ATS over their last five games, while the Owls are 1-3.
- In their last five games, Mercer has 5 unders, while Florida Atlantic has 3 overs and 1 under.
- The Bears’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.8, up from 2.8 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Owls have scored an average of 72.4 points per game (1.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 59.8 points per game (8.6 below their season average).
